Charles Skey Charitable Trust

The Charles Skey Charitable Trust, established in 1979, is a grant-making charity with a generalist mission to benefit society through broad philanthropic support for diverse causes, emphasizing lasting positive change via trustee-led discretion. Its enduring ethos prioritizes flexibility over narrow focus, guided by a small group of trustees who manage robust governance, risk policies, and strategic funding decisions without public application processes.

The Trust funds a wide array of charitable purposes, including general welfare, education and training, health and life-saving initiatives, disability support, poverty relief, housing, religious activities, arts, culture, heritage and science, amateur sport, animal welfare, environment and conservation, and economic/community development. Key beneficiaries include children and young people, elderly people, and those with disabilities. Grants support operational costs, capital projects, revenue needs, and capacity building, as seen in funding for children's health (e.g., Cleft Lip and Palate Association), heritage sites (e.g., Bletchley Park, Kidbrooke learning centre), local welfare (e.g., Christian Care Merton), cultural films, and WWI educational resources.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities operating in England and Wales, typically established organizations of varying sizes with proven track records—no income thresholds apply, but credibility and impact are essential. Funding is invitation-only; unsolicited applications are not accepted, with trustees identifying and approaching aligned grantees adhoc, without fixed deadlines or meetings.

Typical grants range from £5,000 to £30,000, occasionally up to £75,000+ for larger projects. Distinctives include its expansive sectoral scope, refusal of unsolicited bids, and emphasis on trustee judgment, differentiating it from open-call funders while favoring high-impact charities in education, health, heritage, poverty, youth/elderly welfare, disability, and community efforts. No religious restrictions or explicit exclusions beyond geographic limits.