Dorothy Whitney Elmhirst Trust

The Dorothy Whitney Elmhirst Trust, established in 1997 by William Knight Elmhirst and Heather Anne Elmhirst, honors the legacy of American philanthropist Dorothy Whitney Elmhirst, a feminist patron of the arts who championed social reform, education, arts, and rural development. Based in Minehead, Somerset, this small-trustee-governed charity advances her progressive values through grants supporting arts, culture, heritage, science, education, training, environment, conservation, and overseas aid like famine relief. Its distinctive, quiet generalist approach emphasizes transformational arts, community impact, and lasting positive change, with a strong regional focus on West Somerset and the Channel Islands, especially Jersey, while considering broader UK causes.

The Trust funds projects, core costs, capital, revenue, research, and emergency relief—both unrestricted and restricted—for children, young people, people with disabilities, voluntary bodies, and the general public. Beneficiaries include grassroots organizations and individuals, such as ocean therapy programs like Healing Waves, prioritizing community-focused initiatives in its thematic areas over national-scale efforts.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and Channel Islands equivalents, with a preference for small to medium-sized, locally based voluntary groups; no strict income limits apply, but patterns favor grassroots entities. No religious restrictions exist.

Grants typically range from £1,000 to £30,000 (mostly £3,000–£15,000), with £105,004 distributed in 2024. Unsolicited written applications (no form) are accepted anytime by post, including organization details, project info, budget, and charitable status. Trustees meet biannually (spring/autumn) to review all submissions on a rolling basis, with decisions in weeks to months; no fixed deadlines. It avoids large national charities, maintaining a flexible, values-aligned process rooted in historic philanthropy.