Charlotte Aitken Trust

The Charlotte Aitken Trust, established in 2021 by literary agent Gillon Aitken in memory of his daughter Charlotte who died in 2011, is a UK-based charity chaired by Sebastian Faulks CBE. Its mission centers on advancing public education in literature—spanning fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry—and promoting the creative arts for public benefit, inspired by Aitken’s lifelong commitment to literary excellence. The Trust fosters a culture of reading, writing, and creative engagement, emphasizing excellence, opportunity, and cultural preservation through strategic partnerships with esteemed organizations like the Arvon Foundation, Almeida Theatre, Young Vic, and Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.

It prioritizes funding literary prizes (e.g., Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Trust Young Writer of the Year, Forward Poetry Prize), literary festivals, creative writing schemes in schools, playwrights and theatre productions (such as ‘Best of Enemies’), and infrastructure for cultural institutions like the Brontë Parsonage Museum. Beneficiaries include writers, emerging talent, young people, theatre companies, literary charities, and arts organizations, with support for project funding, core costs, capacity-building, residencies, and workshops to uplift literary culture UK-wide.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities based in the UK, with no income thresholds or regional restrictions, though it does not accept unsolicited applications and is currently closed, reopening for biannual rounds in 2026 (Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter; dates TBA). Interested parties submit an initial enquiry via the website contact form, potentially leading to full applications. Grant sizes vary from small-medium awards to substantial multi-year sponsorships, assessed relationally by trustees for mission alignment.

Distinctively focused solely on literature and creative arts—excluding other causes, emergency relief, or unrestricted grants—the Trust stands out for its founder’s legacy, sector reputation, and preference for collaborative, high-impact initiatives with established partners, making it ideal for charities enhancing literary talent and infrastructure.