Charles S French Charitable Trust

The Trust funds a broad range of causes including children and youth, older people, disability, physical health, poverty and hardship, education and skills, arts and culture, sport and recreation, and community development. It also supports medical services, hospices, health support, and holidays and sports. The Trust makes grants for both project-specific work and core costs. All funding is directed to organisations operating in Essex and North East London, or to national charities whose work directly benefits individuals in those areas.

The Trust welcomes applications from registered charities based in Essex or North East London. National charities may also apply if their work directly benefits individuals in those areas. The Trust looks for organisations that keep costs low and make a clear contribution to their community. Generally, only one grant is awarded per organisation per year. The Trust prioritises charities that are embedded in their local communities and demonstrate efficient use of resources.

The Trust does not fund non-registered charities. Organisations based outside Essex and North East London are not supported unless they are national charities whose work directly benefits individuals in those areas. Typically, only one grant is made per organisation per year, so repeat applications within the same year are not considered.

The Trust welcomes unsolicited applications and supports both project-specific work and core costs. It favours charities that are locally embedded and keep overheads low. The Trust values flexibility and local knowledge in its funding approach, typically making one grant per organisation per year.