M T and S D Burton Charitable Settlement

The M T and S D Burton Charitable Settlement is a family-governed charitable trust established in 1987 by the Burton family, with Mark Timothy Burton as chair and trustees Sally Denise Burton and Jeremy John Burton DL. Operating across England and Wales, it makes discretionary grants to support mainstream charitable causes in health, arts, education, and social welfare, emphasizing public benefit without a fixed mission statement or strategic plan. Its generalist approach allows trustees flexibility to address current needs through project funding, core costs, capital, and revenue support for organizations advancing these domains.

It funds health initiatives (e.g., hospitals, charities), educational bodies, arts organizations, and social welfare groups, with no thematic sub-restrictions beyond broad charitable purposes. Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities and academic institutions of any size or income, operating anywhere in England and Wales—no geographic base or priorities required. Unsolicited applications from individuals are excluded; only organizations qualify.

Grants typically range from £1,000 to £10,000 (averaging £3,000–£7,000), drawn from annual expenditure of £75,000–£95,000. Submit a written letter to the trust managers on a rolling basis—no online form or deadlines—with decisions at trustees' annual meetings (around April/May); allow several months for response, as unsuccessful bids may go unanswered. Distinctive for its small-scale, low-profile operation, family stewardship, and high trustee autonomy, it suits charities with straightforward alignment to health, education, arts, or social needs, prioritizing substance over specialized themes.