Bender Family Trust

The Bender Family Trust is a UK-registered charitable trust (Charity No. 1163501) focused on advancing the development, education, physical and mental health of young people under 25—especially disadvantaged or vulnerable groups facing major health challenges—and supporting cancer patients through care and coping strategies. Established with a mission to drive tangible improvements in early life opportunities and health equity, its values emphasize targeted interventions for lasting personal transformation, strong governance, and relational philanthropy via trustee oversight, distinguishing it as a selective family funder prioritizing high-impact service delivery over broad or experimental approaches.

It funds direct services like counselling, educational programmes (specialist schools, youth clubs, enrichment), physical activity, and community health initiatives for children, youth with disabilities or chronic illnesses, and cancer sufferers. Supported activities include paediatric healthcare, youth homelessness prevention, mental health interventions, and occasional capital for care facilities, with grants to proven charities in these areas across the UK.

Eligible applicants are exclusively pre-selected UK-registered charities with professional governance and track records of effective delivery; unsolicited applications are not accepted, and there's a preference for small to medium-sized organizations operating UK-wide without regional limits. Grants, awarded at biannual trustee meetings, typically range from £5,000 to £25,000 (up to £50,000 for strategic projects), focusing on project-specific, capacity-building, or core costs aligned with priorities.

The trust avoids research, advocacy, unrestricted funding, trading activities, or non-UK entities, setting it apart with its rare dual emphasis on youth enrichment and cancer support, commitment to mission-aligned service charities, and discretionary, values-driven selection for resilient, transformative outcomes.