Cobalt Trust

Could Cobalt Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Applications: Not accepted

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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About Cobalt Trust

The Cobalt Trust is a generalist grant-making charity registered in England and Wales, established in March 2003. Governed by a small board of trustees, its mission is to make discretionary grants for the relief of poverty, the advancement of education, the advancement of religion, and other charitable purposes. The Trust is funded primarily by an endowment and emphasises indirect impact through support to other charities and voluntary bodies. It takes a flexible, trustee-led approach, avoiding narrow thematic or sectoral specialisms in favour of breadth and adaptability. The Trust supports a wide array of general charitable activities, with a geographic focus on England and Wales. It does not publish specific priorities, programmes, or example grants. The Trust does not restrict grant types such as core costs or capital, but it avoids funding operational or non-charitable activities. Its low-profile, invitation-only approach makes it suitable for organisations that can secure a trustee introduction.

What Cobalt Trust funds

The Cobalt Trust funds a broad range of charitable activities, primarily focused on the relief of poverty, the advancement of education, and the advancement of religion, along with other charitable purposes. It supports general charitable work across England and Wales, with no published thematic priorities or example grants. The Trust is flexible regarding the types of costs it covers, including core costs and capital expenditure, as long as the activities are charitable. It emphasises indirect impact by channelling funds through other charities and voluntary bodies, rather than direct service delivery.

Who can apply

The Trust supports charities and voluntary bodies of any size or income, with no geographic base restrictions, though its grant-making overwhelmingly focuses on England and Wales. There are no special criteria specified regarding beneficiary groups or income scale. The Trust works exclusively by invitation, so organisations must secure an introduction from a trustee to be considered. The Trust does not have a religious restriction, despite its support for the advancement of religion.

How they like to fund

The Cobalt Trust takes a flexible, trustee-led approach to funding, with no restrictions on grant types, supporting both core costs and capital expenditure. The Trust works exclusively by invitation. It does not publish typical grant ranges or totals.

How much does Cobalt Trust give?

Published grant sizes vary. A free fit check matches Cobalt Trust’s current criteria to your charity — so you know if it’s worth applying.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Poverty & hardshipEducationFaith

How to apply to Cobalt Trust

Cobalt 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

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Cobalt Trust.
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Cobalt Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Cobalt Trust provide?

Grant amounts vary. Contact Cobalt Trust directly for current funding levels.

Where does Cobalt Trust fund charities?

Cobalt Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Cobalt Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Cobalt Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Cobalt Trust?

Cobalt Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.