Trust For London

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £10.2 million (2025)
• Success Rate: 31-40% (31% in 2020, 40% in 2019)
• Decision Time: 2 months for shortlisting; 4 months total for final decision
• Grant Range: £40,000 - £80,000 per year
• Grant Duration: Up to 5 years
• Geographic Focus: London (all boroughs)
• Total Assets: £324 million (2022)

Contact Details

Website: www.trustforlondon.org.uk

Email: info@trustforlondon.org.uk / grants@trustforlondon.org.uk

Phone: 020 7606 6145

Pre-application Support: Book a conversation with a grant manager via their website - highly recommended as organizations that speak to staff first are more likely to be successful

Overview

Trust for London is one of the UK's most significant independent charitable foundations, established in 1891 as the City Parochial Foundation and renamed in 2010. With assets of £324 million and an annual giving budget of £10.2 million (2025), the Trust supports 300 organisations at any time working to tackle poverty and inequality in London. In 2023, they made 115 grants totaling £10.8 million across their priority areas. The organisation launched their ambitious 2030 strategy in 2024, focusing on two core aims: economic and social justice. The Trust has historically supported innovative and sometimes unfashionable causes - in the 1920s they funded William Beveridge's research that formed the basis of the welfare state, and in the 1980s they were early funders of the Terrence Higgins Trust. CEO Manny Hothi emphasizes their commitment to providing “money, facts and influence to those working tirelessly to improve life for low-income Londoners.” Recent achievements include their Living Wage campaign supporting pay rises for over 50,000 Londoners, and their Disability Justice Fund awarding over £1 million to 16 Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations in its first round.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £40,000 - £80,000 per year for up to 5 years (rolling basis)

• Project funding available for discrete, time-bound work
• Unrestricted funding available for registered charities working solely to tackle poverty in London
• Can cover staff salaries, training, travel, venue hire, and operational costs
• Grants over £250,000 require trustee approval

Social Investment: £805,000 to 5 social enterprises (2023)

• Participatory social investment pilot involving young Londoners in decision-making

Application Method: Rolling basis with online application portal, including eligibility quiz and two-stage application process

Priority Areas

Economic Justice:

1. Decent Work - Supporting campaigns and services for fair pay, working conditions, and employment rights
2. Improving Social Security - Work to reform and improve the social security system
3. Tackling the Housing Crisis - Addressing affordability, quality, and security of housing (note: this priority is currently oversubscribed)
4. Ending the Poverty Premium - Recent example: Finance Innovation Lab's campaign for a Fair Banking Act

Social Justice:

1. Ending Migrant Destitution - Supporting vulnerable migrants, particularly young people
2. Racial Justice - Supporting Black-led organisations fighting racial injustice
3. Disability Justice - Funding Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations (must have 75% disabled people on governing body and 50% disabled staff)

All funded work must align with at least one impact goal under these priority areas. The Trust funds a mix of approaches including service delivery, campaigning, research, policy work, and community organizing.

What They Don't Fund

• Work that does not benefit Londoners
• Disability work not led by deaf and disabled people (organisations must have 75% deaf/disabled people on governing body and 50% disabled staff)
• Work directly replacing statutory funding or subsidizing services delivered through statutory contracts
• Mainstream public services including schools and hospitals
• Individual applications
• Organisations with fewer than three trustees (normally expect more)
• Work for the promotion of religion
• Grant-making organisations seeking to redistribute funds on their behalf
• Posts paid below the London Living Wage
• Applications from organisations rejected in the last 12 months

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Dr Omar Khan

Chief Executive: Manny Hothi (appointed 2021)

Trustees (17 members):

• Dr Omar Khan (Chair)
• Andrew Beal (Trustee and Committee Chair)
• Alderwoman Liz King BEM JP
• Alexandra Doyle
• Amy Brooker
• Andrew Brown OBE
• Denise Joseph
• Meredith Niles
• Nick Peters
• Precious Sithole
• Rosemarie Paul
• Rosie Hewat
• Rosie Ferguson OBE
• Rowena Estwick
• Stephen Burns

Some members are nominated by London Councils, the Greater London Authority, the Church Commissioners, and the Corporation of the City of London.

Leadership Philosophy: Manny Hothi stated, “whatever we decide to focus on, we will continue to provide money, facts and influence to those working tirelessly to improve life for low-income Londoners.” He emphasizes that the Trust is “committed to long-term change” and is “working with the social tech charity, CAST, to redesign our grant making processes so that they better meet the needs of our users.”

Dr Omar Khan noted in 2023: "It's been a challenging year for Londoners, with increased cost of living continuing to have an impact..."

Former CEO Bharat Mehta (served 23 years until 2021) advised organizations: "Just do it, with as much consultation and thinking as possible. But just do it. It's better than doing nothing because you worry you won't be perfect."

How to Apply to Trust For London

How to Apply

Step 1: Pre-Application Support (Highly Recommended)

• Book a conversation with a grant manager via Zoom or phone through their online form
• Organizations that speak to Trust for London first are more likely to be successful
• Grant managers can advise on fit with funding priorities, eligibility, and how to tailor applications
• British Sign Language (BSL) support available
• Email grants@trustforlondon.org.uk for support

Step 2: Eligibility Check

• Complete the short online eligibility quiz (takes a few minutes)
• Review full funding guidelines (available in Word, PDF, and easy read formats)

Step 3: Expression of Interest (Stage 1)

• Submit first-stage application form online
• At least two staff members review each application
• Grant managers discuss applications to decide on shortlisting
• Approximately 60% of applications are rejected at this stage

Step 4: Full Application (Stage 2 - if shortlisted)

• If shortlisted, there is an extremely high chance of being funded
• Complete second-stage application form with detailed information on governance, finances, and partnerships
• Upload supporting documents: annual accounts, constitution/governing documents
• Alternative formats accepted: video and voice applications (Trust will transcribe)
• Access payments up to £500 available for accessibility-related support

Step 5: Assessment Visit

• Online or in-person meeting arranged
• Discussion of safeguarding, finances, and governance
• Collaborative feedback opportunity

Step 6: Final Decision

• Most grants signed off by Senior Management Team based on grant manager's assessment
• High-risk or large-value grants (over £250k) go to trustees

Important Restrictions:

• Only one application per organisation per year accepted
• If unsuccessful, must wait at least 12 months before reapplying

Decision Timeline

• Shortlisting Decision: Within 2 months of submission
• Final Decision: Within 4 months total from initial submission (if shortlisted)
• Framework for Change: Must be submitted within first 6 months of grant starting (affects next payment release)

Success Rates

• 2020: 367 applications, 31% success rate (down due to increased applications during pandemic)
• 2019: 292 applications, 40% success rate, 118 grants approved
• 2023: 115 grants made
• Average Grant Size (2019): £83,500
• Most Common Duration (2019): 3 years (51% of projects)

Success rate has remained relatively stable between 31-40% in recent years.

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful applicants must wait at least 12 months before reapplying
• Only one application per organisation per year
• Trust will not accept applications from organisations rejected in the last 12 months

Application Success Factors

1. Alignment with Priorities is Critical

Trust for London states that they “often receive applications for work that has no relation to their priorities, which are never successful.” Your work must fit under one of their seven priority areas and work towards at least one of their specific impact goals.

2. Pre-Application Contact Significantly Increases Success

“Organisations that speak to them first are more likely to be successful when they apply because they better understand the aims of their work.” The Trust actively encourages pre-application conversations and considers them valuable for both parties.

3. Demonstrate Lived Experience and Diversity

The Trust states: "We want the organisations we fund to reflect London's great diversity." They look for organizations with:

• Lived experience representation in leadership
• Strong diversity within governance and staff
• Authentic connection to the communities served

4. Show Systemic Approach

The Trust looks for collaborative efforts driving “systemic change” rather than isolated interventions. They fund a mix of complementary approaches: service delivery alongside campaigning, research, policy work, and community organizing.

5. Strong Organisational Governance

Grant managers assess:

• Safeguarding policies and practices
• Financial management and sustainability
• Governance structures (minimum 3 trustees, normally more expected)
• Pay equity (must pay at least London Living Wage)

6. Clear Framework for Change

Applications must demonstrate clear impact goals. Within the first six months of a grant, organizations must identify their “framework for change” setting out 3-5 specific changes they aim to achieve.

7. Address Common Rejection Reasons

• Approximately 60% of applications are rejected at initial screening
• Most rejections are due to misalignment with funding priorities
• Lack of preparation and not speaking to staff beforehand increases rejection risk
• Applications from organizations with insufficient governance structures are rejected

8. Recent Funded Examples Show Priorities in Action

• Finance Innovation Lab's Fair Banking Act campaign (poverty premium priority)
• Micro Rainbow (won Charity of the Year at British Diversity Awards)
• 16 Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations (Disability Justice Fund, over £1m)
• Organizations supporting young migrants (Strategic Legal Fund produced significant legal judgments)

9. Strategic Focus on Impact Over Process

Manny Hothi emphasized they are “working with the social tech charity, CAST, to redesign our grant making processes so that they better meet the needs of our users,” showing responsiveness to grantee feedback.

10. Accessibility and Inclusion

The Trust actively supports accessible applications:

• Offers up to £500 for accessibility support
• Accepts video and voice applications
• Provides BSL support
• Offers easy read guidelines
• States: "Writing out answers isn't always the easiest way for everyone to explain their work"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Pre-application contact is essential: Speak to a grant manager before applying - this significantly increases success rates and ensures you're not wasting time on applications that don't fit
• Alignment is everything: Trust for London receives many applications that don't relate to their priorities, which are “never successful” - be certain your work aligns with their specific impact goals before applying
• If shortlisted, funding is highly likely: Once you reach stage 2 (full application), there is an “extremely high chance” of being funded, making the initial alignment and pitch critical
• Think long-term and systemic: The Trust is “committed to long-term change” and looks for work addressing root causes, not just symptoms - demonstrate how your work contributes to systemic change
• Demonstrate lived experience leadership: Show that your organization reflects London's diversity and is led by people with lived experience of the issues you're addressing
• Multi-year funding available: Grants of £40,000-£80,000 per year for up to 5 years provide substantial, stable support - emphasize your capacity for sustained impact
• Be prepared to collaborate: The Trust funds “complementary” approaches and values organizations working together for systemic change - highlight partnerships and collaborative working
• Only one shot per year: With only one application per organisation per year and a 12-month wait after rejection, make your application count - thorough preparation is essential

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Bridge Trust
• The Henry Smith Foundation
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Bbc Children In Need
• The A B Charitable Trust
• Greater London Authority
• London Legal Support Trust
• The Tudor Trust
• Paul Hamlyn Foundation
• The Archbishops' Council
• The Access To Justice Foundation
• Church Commissioners For England
• The Legal Education Foundation
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• National Lottery
• Henry Smith
• Financial Conduct Authority
• Google
• Salesforce
• Help Fund

References

1. Trust for London official website - www.trustforlondon.org.uk
2. Trust for London, “How to apply” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/funding/apply-for-apply/
3. Trust for London, “Inside our grant making - how we make decisions” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/news/inside-our-grant-making/
4. Trust for London, “Our funding priorities” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/funding/our-funding-priorities/
5. Trust for London, “Annual review and accounts 2023” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/news/annual-review-and-accounts-2023/ (Published September 18, 2024)
6. Trust for London, “Reflecting on our 2020 grant-making” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/news/reflecting-on-our-2020-grant-making-what-are-the-numbers-telling-us/
7. Trust for London, “Our 2030 strategy: funding economic and social justice” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/news/2030-strategy/
8. Trust for London, “An update on our budget and funding priorities for 2025” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/news/an-update-on-our-budget-and-funding-priorities-for-2025/
9. Trust for London, “Looking ahead: what next for Trust for London?” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/news/looking-ahead-what-next-for-trust-for-london/
10. Trust for London, “Our history” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/about/our-history/
11. Trust for London, “Meet our trustees” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/about/our-people/trustees/
12. Trust for London, “Help with your application” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/funding/help-with-your-application/
13. Charity Commission, Register of Charities - Charity Number 205629
14. 360Giving GrantNav - Trust for London grants data - https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-205629
15. Trust for London, "2024 in review: Trust for London's end of year blog" - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/news/2024-in-review-trust-for-londons-end-of-year-blog/
16. Trust for London, “Interview with our outgoing Chief Executive Bharat Mehta” - https://trustforlondon.org.uk/news/interview-with-our-outgoing-chief-executive-bharat-mehta-working-together-for-change/