Edith Murphy Foundation

The Edith Murphy Foundation, established in 1993 by pioneering Leicester businesswoman Edith Murphy in memory of her husband Hughie, is an endowment-funded grant-making charity dedicated to preserving their family legacy through support for animal welfare and care for people facing hardship. Shaped by Edith's values of community involvement, property development, and compassion, the Foundation applies a distinctive "what would Edith do" lens in trustee decisions, prioritizing projects with sustained, demonstrable public benefit. Governed by six trustees advised by Ludlow Trust Company, it maintains flexibility and independence while focusing on multifaceted interventions like medical/social research, older people's welfare, stroke recovery, social inclusion via education and volunteering, and animal care facilities.

It funds organizations delivering these priorities nationwide, with a strong preference for Leicestershire and East Midlands projects—such as University of Leicester diabetes research, Age UK premises, RSPCA veterinary upgrades, and Stroke Association services—supporting capital works, research, outreach, education, and animal welfare improvements, but not core costs or unrestricted funding.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, and academic institutions (not individuals), with no income thresholds, geographic base requirements, or religious restrictions; unsolicited applications from smaller local entities are welcomed. Grants typically range from £500 to £5,000, occasionally larger for significant initiatives.

Applications are submitted year-round via online portal at https://funding.ludlowtrust.com, requiring organizational details, project budgets, and documentation; they are assessed at quarterly trustee meetings (January, April, July, October), with decisions in up to three months. Exclusions encompass individuals, emergency relief, and capacity building; its unique blend of broad remit, regional affinity, and legacy-driven ethos sets it apart for aligned grantees seeking stable, thematic support.