Pharsalia Charitable Trust

The Pharsalia Charitable Trust, established by deed on 24 April 2007, is a discretionary generalist grantmaker governed by trustees N S Blackwell, N P P Roots, and T D Sainsbury. Rooted in an endowment from N S Blackwell, its core mission is to advance charitable purposes as trustees determine, with a strong emphasis on relieving sickness and supporting health, welfare, and social needs. It operates with a flexible, investment-led philosophy that prioritizes capital preservation, funding solely from annual income, and responsive grantmaking to address emerging priorities in medical welfare and hardship relief, blending immediate aid with longer-term sectoral improvements.

The Trust funds relief of sickness, medical research, healthcare initiatives, alleviation of suffering, and support for disadvantaged groups, including patients with chronic illnesses like myeloma, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and lymphoma. Grants support patient services, welfare and holiday programmes, educational efforts, digital tools for rare diseases, research projects, core operations, and disaster relief. Beneficiaries span local Oxfordshire voluntary organisations, national UK health charities (e.g., Myeloma UK, Cystic Fibrosis Trust), higher education, and international relief efforts, delivering outcomes like reduced suffering, enhanced quality of life, and research advancements.

Eligible entities include small to medium-sized UK charities and voluntary groups with no strict income limits or entity restrictions, prioritising those in Oxfordshire for health and welfare, alongside national medical research and selective international work. Grants typically range from £500 to £10,000, awarded adhoc via trustee meetings without multi-year pledges.

Unsolicited applications are not accepted—funding occurs by trustee invitation only, with no forms, deadlines, or public processes. Distinctively, its broad objects enable targeted, trustee-driven support without thematic silos, favouring flexibility, risk-managed responsiveness, and proven alignment with health-focused charities over rigid commitments.