Burden Trust

The Burden Trust is a historic Bristol-based grant-making charity founded in the early 20th century by Reverend Harold Nelson Burden, whose philanthropy was shaped by work with marginalised groups in London, Canada, and Bristol. Its mission centers on providing compassionate, practical support to people in need, rooted in Church of England tenets and Christian values, with a legacy of aiding the vulnerable—such as the homeless, young people, ex-offenders, elderly, and those facing hardship—through registered charities rather than individuals. Distinctive for its conservative approach, the Trust sustains the founder's ethos, prioritising Bristol-linked organisations and repeat funding for proven, faith-aligned impact over trendy causes.

It funds medical research, hospitals, retirement homes, schools and training institutions, children's care homes, and welfare projects delivering direct relief, including service development, capital costs, and occasional core funding for activities benefiting vulnerable groups, especially in Bristol and surrounding areas.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities of small to medium size with limited resources and local presence; no strict income thresholds apply, though England-wide applications are welcome with strong Bristol preference. Unsolicited online applications are accepted annually by 31st March, reviewed at the June trustee meeting, with decisions notified within 2-3 months.

Grants typically range from £3,000 to £5,000. Exclusions include individuals and non-charitable activities; its uniqueness lies in unwavering Christian congruence, historical Bristol focus, and support for enduring institutional responses to exclusion, making it ideal for locally rooted, values-driven charities serving the needy.