Annandale Charitable Trust

The Annandale Charitable Trust, established in 1995 by the late Mrs Blofeld as an unincorporated discretionary grant-making charity, advances general charitable purposes by providing grants to UK-registered charities, primarily in England and Wales, with occasional overseas support. Managed by a single trustee with professional administration from HSBC Trust Company (UK) Limited and Ludlow Trust Company, it emphasizes high trustee discretion, robust governance, safeguarding, and risk controls. Its mission reflects the founder's vision of empowering other charities for public benefit, operating as a flexible generalist funder without a formal strategic plan, guided by annual grant patterns that prioritize animal welfare, cancer relief (including hospices), children and young people, health and medical causes, and support for the elderly.

The Trust funds project-related activities such as equipment, programs, and service delivery in these priority areas, supporting national, regional, and diverse beneficiary groups to improve health, wellbeing, and opportunities for vulnerable populations. It favors organizations with established governance addressing these recurring themes, enabling responsive funding across a broad charitable spectrum.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities based in England and Wales, with no strict income thresholds but a noted preference for medium to larger entities; small groups may apply. Grants typically range from £1,000 to £5,000 (average £3,525), with £430,040 awarded across 122 grants in 2024. Applications are unsolicited, accepted rolling via online portal (https://funding.ludlowtrust.com) or post, with continuous trustee decisions and no deadlines.

Distinctively broad yet patterned in support, the Trust avoids core costs, unrestricted, capital, or emergency funding, distinguishing itself as a stable, low-profile generalist resource for health, welfare, and youth-focused projects amid more restrictive funders.