Aird Charitable Trust

Could Aird Charitable Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants
£500 – £2,000
Applications
Accepted
How to apply
Postal application
Decisions
Once per year

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk

About Aird Charitable Trust

The Aird Charitable Trust is a small, family-run discretionary grant-making charity established in 1987, formerly known as the Clabon Charitable Trust. Governed by long-serving Aird family trustees, it operates with broad general charitable objectives and no fixed mission, embodying a traditional family trust model that prioritises trustee flexibility and personal stewardship. The Trust provides responsive support for diverse UK charitable causes through unrestricted funds, reflecting a pragmatic and low-barrier approach to grant-making.

What Aird Charitable Trust funds

The Trust funds a wide array of charitable activities, including health (such as hospices and dementia services), education, arts, riding for the disabled, conservation, religion, community transport, and general relief. It also supports causes related to disability and the environment. Grants cover project work, core costs, capacity building, capital, and revenue needs. The Trust primarily supports registered charities operating throughout England and Wales, with a preference for grassroots and local or regional groups.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities based anywhere in the UK, with a focus on those serving England and Wales. There are no income thresholds or geographic sub-restrictions beyond charitable status. The Trust favours grassroots and local or regional organisations. There is no religious restriction, and applications are welcomed from charities of all sizes, though the Trust tends to support smaller groups.

What Aird Charitable Trust doesn't fund

The Trust has virtually no exclusions beyond non-charitable purposes. It does not specify any particular causes or activities it will not support, making it suitable for a broad range of charitable work.

How they like to fund

The Trust offers flexible funding that can support both core costs and project expenses, as well as capital and revenue needs. It welcomes unsolicited approaches from eligible charities and operates with a discretionary, low-barrier style, providing modest aid without requiring thematic alignment or formal strategies.

How much does Aird Charitable Trust give?

£500 – £2,000

Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction
Focus areas
HealthEducationArts & cultureDisabilityEnvironment

How to apply to Aird Charitable Trust

Aird Charitable Trust takes applications via postal application.

  • Decisions are typically once per year.
  • Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

How it works

  1. 1
    Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
  2. 2
    See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
  3. 3
    Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Aird Charitable Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Aird Charitable Trust on the charity register

Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as THE AIRD CHARITABLE TRUST, charity number 296304.

Latest annual income
£83,804
Latest annual spending
£112,664
Financial year end
December 2024

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Aird Charitable Trust provide?

Aird Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £500 - £2,000.

Where does Aird Charitable Trust fund charities?

Aird Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Aird Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Aird Charitable Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

How do I apply for funding from Aird Charitable Trust?

Aird Charitable Trust takes applications via postal application. Decisions are typically once per year.

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Could Aird Charitable Trust be a fit?

Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.