Bathgate Charitable Trust

Bathgate Charitable Trust, established by trust deed on 1 June 1979, is a longstanding regional funder dedicated to enabling UK charities in Merseyside and Cheshire to deliver public benefit through flexible financial support. Governed by a stable trio of trustees—Commodore R H Walker (Chair), Mrs B A Walker, and Mr S Bennett—its mission emphasizes broad charitable purposes without prescriptive themes, guided by Charity Commission principles, strong financial controls, and a philanthropic ethos that trusts recipient organizations to address local needs. This generalist approach distinguishes it as a steward of voluntary action, with annual grant expenditure exceeding £150,000 (rising to over £230,000 in 2024), fostering capacity and impact in grassroots and established groups.

The Trust supports a wide spectrum of activities, including aid for people with disabilities, voluntary bodies, general charitable purposes, religious initiatives, and amateur sports. Grants are unrestricted or project-based, covering core costs, revenue needs, and occasionally exceptional individual support, prioritizing community-led interventions across diverse causes.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities operating in Merseyside and Cheshire—specifically Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool City, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral—with a preference for small to medium-sized local organizations. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; trustees select recipients via private networks and local knowledge.

Grants typically range from £1,000 to £25,000 (most frequently £2,000–£10,000), awarded after annual summer trustee meetings with no published deadlines or application process. Distinctive for its invite-only model, unwavering regional focus, and avoidance of thematic silos or large national bodies, the Trust stands out as a flexible enabler of local philanthropy.