Audrey Earle Charitable Trust

The Audrey Earle Charitable Trust, established in 1984, is a low-profile grant-making charity governed by a small board of three unpaid trustees, dedicated to supporting registered charities and voluntary bodies across England and Wales through flexible, untied grants for general charitable purposes. Lacking a published mission statement, strategic plan, or founder’s ethos, it operates as a true generalist funder—cause-agnostic and without thematic, beneficiary, or intervention restrictions—delivering impact solely via funding to established organisations rather than individuals.

It funds a broad spectrum of charitable work, evidenced by grants to recipients like Sense (deafblind support), St John Ambulance (health and emergency services), and PDSA (animal welfare), encompassing disability, health, and other mainstream causes. Support includes core funding and project grants to reputable national charities, prioritising proven entities over innovative or grassroots efforts, with no focus on specific programmes or outcomes.

Eligible applicants must be UK-registered charities operating in England and Wales; while no strict income thresholds apply, there is a clear preference for larger, well-established organisations. The trust does not accept unsolicited applications—beneficiaries are selected at trustees' discretion during adhoc meetings, with no published process, guidelines, deadlines, or open rounds.

Typical grants range from £5,000 to £25,000 (averaging £10,000–£20,000), excluding individuals, unregistered groups, and activities outside its geographic remit. Its distinctive simplicity—no restrictions, impact reports, or bureaucracy—sets it apart as a reliable source of unrestricted support for mainstream UK charities seeking flexible funding without sectoral constraints.