May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust

The May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust, established in 1992 by the will of the late Mrs May Hearnshaw with an expendable endowment, supports UK charitable work at trustees' discretion, primarily benefiting people in the United Kingdom. Its core mission focuses on promoting education, advancing religion, and relieving poverty and sickness, guided by a cautious, traditional philosophy emphasizing public benefit, stewardship, and reliable impact. Trustees, unpaid and meeting three times yearly (spring, summer, autumn), prioritize national UK-wide charities or those with a principal presence in South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, East Lancashire, and Cheshire, reflecting the founder's legacy of community responsibility in these northern and central regions.

The Trust funds education initiatives, religious activities (such as church maintenance and faith-based programs), and poverty/sickness relief, including hospices, vulnerable children/adults, disability groups, family hardship, and historic religious heritage. Recent beneficiaries like Emmaus Sheffield, Sheffield Mencap & Gateway, Baby Basics, Nottinghamshire Historic Churches Trust, and Batten Disease Family Association highlight support for core costs, projects, and capital needs—one-off grants for disadvantage alleviation and religious advancement, with 2024-25 allocations heavily favoring poverty/sickness relief (£59,000 of £78,250 total).

Eligible applicants are established UK-registered charities (no individuals or new groups), preferably small to medium-sized with robust governance and operations in preferred regions; no formal income limits, but preference for modest local organizations. Applications via email to paul.randall@bhp.co.uk (enquire first), rolling basis with decisions at next trustee meeting—allow months for review, no public forms or deadlines. Typical grants £1,000–£10,000 (average £4,000–£7,000), occasionally up to £15,000. Distinctive for balancing education, faith, and hardship support without religious restrictions, excluding multi-year or unrestricted core funding, it favors proven track records over publicity.