Whitehill Chase Foundation

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 259746
• Annual Giving: £113,497 (year ending 31 December 2022)
• Annual Income: £122,294 (year ending 31 December 2024)
• Total Grants Awarded: 26 grants to 19 organisations (2022)
• Geographic Focus: Bordon, Hampshire (with broader England and Wales reach)
• Established: 1969

Contact Details

Address: The Thatch, Frampton Mansell, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 8JG

Phone: 01666 840529

Email: enquiries.wcft@gmail.com

Website: None listed

The foundation does not appear to have a website or public-facing application portal.

Overview

The Whitehill Chase Foundation was established by trust deed on 16 February 1969, with amendments made on 17 November 2003. The foundation operates as a traditional grant-making trust, supporting charitable organisations rather than individuals. From its inception until May 2020, the foundation's primary activity involved ownership of the Whitehill Chase property in Bordon, which was occupied by the Acorn Christian Foundation as a Christian healing centre. Following the sale of this property, the foundation transitioned to focus exclusively on grant-making activities, with the sale proceeds providing capital to fund ongoing charitable distributions. The foundation prioritises charities serving the Bordon and Whitehill area of Hampshire, organisations supporting people in genuine need, and projects where donations will be used for specific purposes. The foundation operates with modest administrative overhead, with all five trustees serving without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates a single grant programme with trustee discretion determining all awards. There is no published application schedule or fixed deadlines.

In 2022, following the property sale, grant-making activity increased significantly, with 26 grants totalling £113,497 awarded to 19 different charitable organisations. No grants were made in 2021 due to disruption caused by negotiations regarding the sale of the Whitehill Chase property.

Priority Areas

The trustees have determined that priority will be given to:

• Charities local to the Bordon and Whitehill area of Hampshire
• Organisations supporting people in genuine need
• Projects where donations will be used for a specific purpose

Based on historical grant awards, the foundation has supported:

• Christian churches and ministries (St. Mark's Church Bordon, Greenhouse Christian Centre, Acorn Christian Foundation)
• Hospice and palliative care services (St. Christopher's Hospice, Longfield Hospice Care)
• Children's welfare organisations (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids - CHICKS)

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals: The trustees explicitly do not make grants to individuals
• The foundation appears focused on supporting established charitable organisations rather than individual projects or personal applications

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by five trustees who serve without remuneration or benefits. The power to appoint new or additional trustees is vested in the existing trustees.

Governance Policies

The foundation has established policies covering:

• Financial reserves
• Internal financial controls
• Investment guidelines
• Risk management
• Trustee conflict of interest procedures

How to Apply to Whitehill Chase Foundation

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation does not operate an open application system, online portal, or published application deadlines. There is no website providing application guidance or downloadable forms.

Given the absence of a formal application process, grants appear to be awarded at the discretion of the trustees, potentially through:

• Invitation by trustees
• Relationships with known charitable organisations
• Local knowledge of organisations working in the Bordon and Whitehill area
• Approaches made directly to the trustees via the contact email

Organisations interested in funding may consider making initial contact via email at enquiries.wcft@gmail.com or by phone at 01666 840529 to inquire about the foundation's current funding priorities and whether unsolicited expressions of interest are welcomed.

Decision Timeline

No published information is available regarding decision timelines. Given the modest scale of operations and trustee-led decision-making, timelines likely vary depending on trustee meeting schedules and the nature of requests.

Success Rates

No data is publicly available regarding the number of applications received versus grants awarded, as the foundation does not operate a formal application system.

Reapplication Policy

No published information is available regarding reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about this foundation's grant-making approach, the following factors appear relevant based on their stated priorities and historical grant patterns:

Geographic Alignment: Strong preference for organisations serving the Bordon and Whitehill area of Hampshire. This appears to be the foundation's primary geographic focus stemming from its historical connection to the Whitehill Chase property.

Specific Project Focus: The trustees have stated they prioritise projects “where the donation will be used for a specific purpose,” suggesting applications should clearly articulate how funds will be deployed rather than requesting general operating support.

Serving People in Genuine Need: The foundation explicitly prioritises “people who are in genuine need,” indicating that organisations should demonstrate the needs of their beneficiaries and the impact funding will have.

Historical Funding Patterns: The foundation has historically supported Christian organisations, hospices, and children's charities. While not explicitly stated as requirements, these areas appear to align with trustee interests.

Established Organisations: All documented grant recipients have been registered charities or established charitable bodies, not individuals or informal community groups.

Local Knowledge: Given the small scale and absence of formal application processes, the trustees likely rely on local knowledge and existing relationships within the charitable sector in their priority geographic area.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - this is a trustee-discretion funder without open applications, so relationship-building or direct inquiry is necessary
• Geographic focus is paramount - strong preference for Bordon and Whitehill area organisations in Hampshire
• Demonstrate specific project needs - trustees want to see exactly how funds will be used for defined purposes
• Evidence of genuine need - clearly articulate the needs of beneficiaries and the impact funding will create
• Historical interests - Christian organisations, hospice care, and children's welfare have received support
• Contact first - given the lack of formal process, initial contact via enquiries.wcft@gmail.com is advisable to determine current priorities and receptiveness to approaches

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Graham Rowlandson Foundation
• The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust
• The Lili Tapper Charitable Foundation
• Barnard Kenneth Hufton Charity
• The Kenneth & Susan Green Charitable Foundation
• The Dmf Ellis Charitable Trust
• Lord Barnby's Foundation
• Duke Of Devonshire's Charitable Trust
• C A Redfern Charitable Foundation
• The Patrick Rowland Foundation

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - Whitehill Chase Foundation (Charity No. 259746): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/259746
• UK Charity Commission - Full Charity Details including Financial Information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/259746/full-print
• UK Charity Commission - Trustees Information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/259746/trustees
• Charity Choice - Whitehill Chase Foundation Profile: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/whitehill-chase-foundation-259746
• Housing Design Awards - Whitehill Chase Development Information: https://hdawards.org/scheme/whitehill-chase/

Grant amounts and beneficiary information sourced from Charity Commission financial returns for years ending 31 December 2020, 31 December 2022, and 31 December 2024. Charity information current as of December 2024.