Costa Family Charitable Trust

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

Typical grants: £5,000 – £50,000
Applications: Not accepted
Decisions: Once per year

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

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About Costa Family Charitable Trust

The Costa Family Charitable Trust, established in 1959, is a family-led grant-making trust governed by trustees who direct funding at their discretion. Operating without employees or fixed themes, the Trust embraces a generalist approach focused on tangible impact and personalised philanthropy. Funding decisions are made through annual strategic reviews, reflecting a selective, trustee-driven model that prioritises causes personally connected to the trustees. The Trust supports diverse charitable projects across faith-based organisations, health, education, heritage, and humanitarian relief. It funds both UK charities and individuals, offering project funding, capital support, and occasionally core costs. While there is no explicit geographic limit, grants tend to favour grassroots groups, faith entities, and established institutions in England, particularly London and the South East. Distinctively, the Trust operates a closed-access policy: unsolicited applications are not accepted, and funding is sourced exclusively through trustee networks or recommendations. This bespoke selectivity makes it suitable for organisations with trustee alignment rather than broad programmatic appeals. The Trust does not fund unrestricted or unvetted proposals.

What Costa Family Charitable Trust funds

The Trust supports a wide range of charitable work, including projects within faith-based organisations, health, education, heritage, and humanitarian relief. Examples of past grants include support to a parish church, a major humanitarian charity, a college, and a church congregation, illustrating the diversity of causes. Funding can cover specific initiatives, capital projects, and occasionally core costs, with an emphasis on clear public benefit. While there is no formal geographic restriction, grants tend to favour grassroots groups, faith entities, and established institutions in England, particularly in London and the South East.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, though the Trust also supports individuals in some cases. The Trust prioritises causes that are personally connected to the trustees, so organisations with a local or faith-based focus, or those with established reputations, may be a good fit. However, the Trust operates a closed-access policy: unsolicited applications are not accepted, and funding is sourced exclusively through trustee networks or recommendations. This means that only organisations already known to the trustees or recommended by their contacts are considered.

What Costa Family Charitable Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not fund unrestricted or unvetted proposals. It also does not accept unsolicited applications, so any organisation that has not been approached or recommended through trustee networks is unlikely to receive funding.

How much does Costa Family Charitable Trust give?

£5,000 – £50,000

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.

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

FaithEducationHealthArts & culture

How to apply to Costa Family Charitable Trust

Costa Family 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.
Decisions are typically once per year.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Costa Family Charitable 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 Costa Family Charitable Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Costa Family Charitable Trust provide?

Costa Family Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £5,000 - £50,000.

Where does Costa Family Charitable Trust fund charities?

Costa Family Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Costa Family Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Costa Family Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Costa Family Charitable Trust?

Costa Family 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.