Charles S French Charitable Trust

The Charles S French Charitable Trust, established in 1959 by Charles S French, former chairman of civil engineering firm W&C French, is a discretionary grant-maker dedicated to advancing local charitable endeavours in Essex and North East London (Barking & Dagenham, Hackney, Haringey, Havering, Islington, Newham, Redbridge, Waltham Forest). Its mission centres on improving community wellbeing through flexible, locally-rooted philanthropy, guided by values of discretion, local knowledge, and continuity, prioritising enduring needs over trends while empowering small to medium-sized charities embedded in their communities.

The trust funds a broad spectrum of general charitable purposes, including medical and health assistance, support for disabilities, children and young people, elderly care, education and training, economic/community development, sports/holiday schemes, hospices, and initiatives for disadvantaged groups. It supports both project-specific interventions and core costs, with examples spanning medical services, special needs education, youth sports in deprived areas, elderly wellbeing activities, disability support, and local employment/skills programmes, always tied to demonstrable local benefit.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities (national organisations qualify if benefiting the core area); no strict income thresholds apply, though preference favours smaller entities with strong local ties. Typical grants range from £1,000-£5,000, occasionally larger for projects. Unsolicited applications are welcomed via downloadable Word/PDF form from csfct.org.uk, emailed with accounts to trustmanager@csfct.org.uk—no EOI, post, or phone queries. Quarterly trustee meetings consider complete submissions, with 2025 deadlines: 18 January, 17 April, 18 July, 1 October.

Distinctive for its generalist remit, relationship-driven selectivity, and stable multi-year funding without religious or other major exclusions, the trust emphasises self-sufficiency and proactive stewardship of its endowment for sustained local impact.