Borrows Charitable Trust
Could Borrows Charitable Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- £15,000 – £75,000
- Applications
- By invitation only
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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borrows-c-t.orgAbout Borrows Charitable Trust
The Borrows Charitable Trust is an independent, family-run grant-making trust established in 2011 by Simon and Sally Borrows. Its mission is to deliver social benefit and positive change by addressing pressing human needs through proactive, relational philanthropy. As a broad generalist, the Trust emphasises practical interventions, resilience, innovation, and measurable impact, fostering deep, sustained partnerships with grantees rather than transactional funding. It funds diverse causes including health, social care and community development, mental health, children and youth, arts and culture, and occasional international relief. The Trust supports projects, core costs, capital needs, and sector infrastructure for UK-registered charities, prioritising those with strong operations in London and the south-east, especially Surrey, while remaining open to UK-wide and select overseas work. It operates on a fully discretionary, invitation-only basis, rejecting unsolicited applications.
What Borrows Charitable Trust funds
The Trust funds a wide range of causes: health, social care and community development, mental health, children and youth, arts and culture, and occasional international relief. It supports practical interventions, service delivery, and capacity building across these areas. The Trust is flexible in the types of costs it covers, including project costs, core running costs, capital needs, and sector infrastructure. Geographically, it prioritises charities with strong operations in London and the south-east, particularly Surrey, but also considers UK-wide initiatives and select overseas work in places such as Kenya and Nepal. Both national organisations and smaller local charities are supported, with no specified income thresholds.
Who can apply
Only UK-registered charities are eligible for support. The Trust prioritises organisations with a strong operational presence in London and the south-east, especially Surrey, though it also considers charities working UK-wide and in select overseas locations. It supports both large national bodies and smaller local entities. There are no income thresholds or religious restrictions. However, the Trust operates on a strictly invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. Charities are identified proactively by the Trust based on alignment with its mission and priorities.
What Borrows Charitable Trust doesn't fund
The Trust does not impose thematic restrictions and is open to a broad range of charitable activities. It has no predefined list of excluded causes or costs. However, as an invitation-only funder, it proactively selects charities rather than responding to applications, so only those approached by the Trust can receive funding.
How they like to fund
The Trust operates on a fully discretionary, invitation-only basis, proactively identifying charities that align with its mission. It supports a variety of cost types including projects, core costs, capital needs, and sector infrastructure. Funding is characterised by deep, sustained partnerships rather than transactional grants. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How much does Borrows Charitable Trust give?
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.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Borrows Charitable Trust
Borrows Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.
- A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
- If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Borrows Charitable Trust.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Borrows Charitable Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Borrows Charitable Trust provide?
Borrows Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £15,000 - £75,000.
Where does Borrows Charitable Trust fund charities?
Borrows Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Borrows Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Borrows Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Borrows Charitable Trust?
Borrows Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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