Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust

The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust is a long-established grant-making charity founded in 1968, rooted in Chichester with ties to longstanding family philanthropy and civic service. Directed by a board of ten trustees emphasizing strong governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance, it upholds a traditional ethos of integrity, community commitment, and enduring support for tangible charitable services. Its mission centers on enhancing quality of life through direct aid to vulnerable groups, prioritizing care for young and older people, health, education, and religious activities, without shifting to broader or generalist funding.

The Trust funds projects and core running costs for established UK charities delivering frontline services to disadvantaged populations, such as disabled people and carers (e.g., Livability), refugees (Sanctuary in Chichester), public safety (Crimestoppers), and therapeutic programs for ill children (Over The Wall). It backs initiatives in education, healthcare, pastoral care, religious welfare, and community support, focusing on inclusion and service delivery rather than advocacy or infrastructure.

Eligible applicants are exclusively UK-registered charities operating in South East England—primarily West Sussex, East Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire—with a preference for small to medium-sized organizations demonstrating proven track records, robust governance, and community reach. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; funding is invite-only, awarded at the trustees' discretion during ad hoc board meetings with no public deadlines, guidelines, or forms.

Typical grants range from £3,000 to £10,000 (most £4,000–£7,500), drawn from annual expenditures of £140,000–£200,000. It excludes campaigning, major capital projects, infrastructure, trading activities, or trustee remuneration, distinguishing itself through thematic consistency, regional focus, and stable support for traditional, impact-driven charities serving vulnerable communities in the South East.