Bellasis Trust

The Bellasis Trust is an independent, generalist grant-making charity governed by a small board of three trustees, dedicated to supporting UK charitable causes through absolute trustee discretion. With annual expenditure around £50,000-£65,000, it emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness to charitable needs, prioritizing interventions for social disadvantage—particularly among young people—while extending to broader areas like health advancement, disability support, elderly care, and saving lives. Its ethos centers on empowering smaller, local charities delivering direct benefits to vulnerable groups, as seen in grants to organizations like CF Dream Holidays for cystic fibrosis families, without rigid thematic guidelines or public reporting.

The Trust funds a spectrum of activities, including general charitable purposes, project work, core costs, service delivery, and welfare support for disadvantaged youth, disabled individuals, the elderly, and health-related initiatives. It favors grassroots organizations providing tangible aid, with no religious restrictions or geographic limits within the UK, though activity concentrates in England and Wales.

Eligible entities are strictly UK-registered charities based and operating in the UK, with a preference for smaller groups of modest income; no strict turnover limits apply. It does not accept unsolicited applications—grants are awarded solely at trustees' discretion during ad hoc meetings, with no forms, deadlines, or enquiry processes. Typical awards range from £2,000 to £10,000, often £2,000-£5,000, for unrestricted or project needs.

Distinctive for its family-like governance, lack of formal processes, and broad discretion without exclusions beyond UK charity status, the Trust stands out as a discreet, trustee-led funder backing civil society essentials over hyped trends, ideal for local charities serving the vulnerable.