Thriplow Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 1025531

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

Stay updated on changes from Thriplow Charitable Trust and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £251,889 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed at trustee meetings (twice annually)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £5,000
  • Geographic Focus: British institutions preferred

Contact Details

Website: www.thriplowcharitabletrust.org

Email: contact@thriplowcharitabletrust.org (general), catharinewalston@gmail.com (trustee contact)

Phone: 01763 260391

Address: PO Box 225, Royston SG8 1BG

Overview

The Thriplow Charitable Trust was registered in 1993 with the mission to further higher education and research, with a preference for British institutions. As a small charitable trust with five trustees, it maintains total assets that generated £83,094 in income for the year ending April 2025, with total grant expenditure of £251,889. The Trust focuses on supporting discrete projects rather than large appeals, reflecting its commitment to making meaningful contributions within its capacity. The Trust does not employ staff and trustees receive no remuneration, ensuring all resources are directed toward its charitable purposes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Academic Research Funding: £1,000 - £5,000 (supporting research projects at universities and research institutions)
  • Bursaries: £1,000 - £5,000 (undergraduate and graduate student support)
  • Conservation/Environmental Research: £1,000 - £5,000 (environmental and conservation projects)
  • Museum and Library Collections: £1,000 - £5,000 (collection development and preservation)
  • Teacher Training in Developing Countries: £1,000 - £5,000 (educational capacity building)
  • Early Career Development in Performing Arts: £1,000 - £5,000

Priority Areas

The Trust actively funds:

  • Higher education and academic research at British institutions
  • Exhibitions and cultural projects
  • Conservation and environmental research initiatives
  • Museum and library collection development
  • Educational resources and teacher training, particularly in developing countries
  • Early career support in performing arts

What They Don't Fund

  • Primary, secondary, and early years education
  • Capital projects such as new buildings
  • Direct grants to individuals (grants must go to charitable bodies or component parts of charitable bodies)
  • Major charitable bodies with large existing funds
  • Clinical trials
  • Appeals for large sums or multi-year funding commitments
  • Consecutive year funding for the same applicant
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Thriplow Charitable Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by five trustees who meet twice annually to review grant applications. Trustees serve without remuneration, reflecting the Trust's commitment to directing all resources toward charitable purposes. While individual trustee names are not publicly listed in recent documents, Catharine Walston is identified as a key contact for the Trust.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through three methods:

  1. Online form (preferred) via the Trust's website
  2. Email to contact@thriplowcharitabletrust.org
  3. Post to PO Box 225, Royston SG8 1BG

All applications must include:

  • A covering letter clearly stating the purpose and amount requested
  • Supporting materials demonstrating the project and its alignment with Trust priorities
  • A link to or copy of your organization's Annual Report
  • Evidence of charitable status

The Trust operates on a fixed meeting schedule with two trustee meetings per year. Applications must be submitted by the published deadline to be considered at the next meeting.

Decision Timeline

The Trust meets twice annually to review applications:

  • Meeting dates and corresponding application deadlines are published on the Trust's website
  • For example, the March 2026 meeting has an application deadline of February 2026
  • Applicants are typically notified of decisions after the trustee meeting

The interval between application deadline and notification can vary but generally occurs within weeks of the trustee meeting.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust explicitly states that it does not provide consecutive year funding for the same applicant. Organizations that receive a grant should not apply again in the immediately following funding cycle. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years, provided their project aligns with the Trust's priorities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated priorities and guidance:

  1. Project Discreteness: The Trust explicitly states it “favours discrete projects” and is “reluctant to contribute to appeals for large sums.” Applications should focus on specific, well-defined projects with clear outcomes rather than general operating costs or large capital campaigns.
  1. Appropriate Scale: As a small charity, the Trust targets grants between £1,000-£5,000. Applications should request amounts within this range and demonstrate how this level of funding will make a meaningful impact.
  1. British Institutional Focus: While not exclusively limited to UK organizations, the Trust gives preference to British institutions. Applications from UK-based universities, research centers, museums, libraries, and educational charities are more likely to succeed.
  1. Higher Education and Research Alignment: The Trust's core mission centers on furthering higher education and research. Applications should clearly articulate how projects advance these goals, whether through direct research, student support, collection development, or educational capacity building.
  1. Charitable Body Status: Only applications from registered charities or component parts of charitable bodies are eligible. Ensure your charitable status is clearly documented in your application materials.
  1. Novel or First-Time Applications: Given the restriction on consecutive year funding, the Trust appears to prioritize supporting new relationships and fresh projects over ongoing commitments.
  1. Complete Application Package: Provide all requested materials including covering letter, supporting documentation, and annual report. Incomplete applications may not be reviewed.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Target the sweet spot: Request £1,000-£5,000 for a discrete, well-defined project aligned with higher education or research
  • Emphasize British institutional connection: Preference is given to British institutions, so highlight UK-based activities or partnerships
  • Plan ahead: With only two trustee meetings per year, monitor the website for upcoming deadlines and submit well in advance
  • Be specific, not broad: The Trust favors discrete projects over large appeals, so focus your application on a specific component of your work
  • Don't reapply immediately: If funded, wait before reapplying as consecutive year funding is not available
  • Ensure charitable status: Only charitable bodies can receive grants—individuals and non-charitable organizations are ineligible
  • Avoid large charity applications: As a small trust, they prefer not to contribute to major charitable bodies with large existing funds—demonstrate genuine need

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References