Richard Oatley Trust Number 2

The Richard Oatley Trust Number 2, established by Somerset and Wiltshire farmer Richard Oatley, supports a select group of named charities delivering lasting public benefit in these counties. Rooted in Oatley's values of farming, mental wellbeing, cancer care, and heritage preservation, the trust builds long-term partnerships to advance health, community wellbeing, local heritage, and rural prosperity. Its proactive, dialogue-driven approach—led by just two trustees with legal and financial expertise—prioritises sustained investment in established organisations, fostering resilience through multi-year core funding and targeted project grants rather than open competition (https://www.richardoatleyfoundation.org).

It funds initiatives in agricultural education and farmer mental health, cancer research and patient support, rural community facilities, and historic building/landscape conservation. Beneficiaries include charities promoting youth in farming, providing mental health services for rural communities, aiding cancer patients, and preserving Somerset/Wiltshire heritage, with all activities generating direct local impact.

Eligible entities are exclusively UK-registered charities named in the original trust deed or legally added, operating solely in Somerset and Wiltshire; no start-ups, informal groups, or organisations outside these areas qualify, with preference for medium-sized entities showing proven track records. Unsolicited applications are not accepted—support emerges from ongoing trustee dialogues, with annual business plan approvals and forward commitments published each March.

Typical grants range from £50,000 to £296,300 annually (total distributions ~£400,000–£645,000), focusing on core costs, service delivery, and strategic projects; speculative or unrestricted funding is excluded. Distinctively invite-only and place-based, it exemplifies mission-driven, relationship-focused philanthropy tied to the founder's local legacy.