Privy Purse Charitable Trust

The Privy Purse Charitable Trust, established by deed in January 1988 with its principal office at Buckingham Palace, London, is a UK-registered grantmaker closely tied to the British monarchy. Overseen by unremunerated Trustees appointed internally and advised by professionals, it embodies the King's personal interests, patronages, and constitutional duties, emphasizing public service, faith, heritage preservation, and compassion in crises. Its reactive, discretionary approach prioritizes charities and causes directly associated with the Royal Family, rather than proactive or open grantmaking.

The Trust funds ecclesiastical maintenance (£254k in 2024), education (£725k), welfare, and other charitable purposes (£426k), including core costs, projects, capital, and endowments for large national organizations like Leonard Cheshire, Girlguiding UK, Shine, The Seafarers Charity, and Family Action. Support extends to youth development, health, community empowerment, and urgent disaster relief at national or international levels, always aligned with Royal patronages or sovereign connections.

Eligible applicants are exclusively UK-registered charities with strong historic or contemporary Royal ties, typically large institutions (incomes over £1m); small grassroots groups are not funded, and unsolicited applications are not accepted—grants are Trustee-selected internally. Geographically UK-wide, with occasional international emergency aid. Typical grants range £25,000–£250,000, awarded adhoc via regular Trustee meetings without deadlines or public processes.

Distinctive for its Crown identity and tradition of discreet, enduring support for monarchy-linked entities, the Trust avoids thematic innovation, open calls, or non-aligned causes, focusing solely on Royal priorities.