D C R Allen Charitable Trust

The D C R Allen Charitable Trust, established in 1979 by the Allen family as an unincorporated trust, supports UK-registered charities to alleviate disadvantage and promote opportunities, with a strong emphasis on aiding disadvantaged young people. Governed by family trustees Tristram Allen, Colin Allen, and Julie Frusher, it embodies enduring philanthropic values of financial probity, risk management, and high-impact giving through a stable investment portfolio yielding £175,000–£190,000 annually, nearly all directed to grants. Its family-led, generalist yet youth-oriented approach prioritizes small to medium-sized charities delivering tangible benefits, resisting mission drift over decades.

The Trust funds project-based interventions in youth work, education, medical needs, and disability support, targeting disadvantaged individuals—especially young people—via organizations like BeyondAutism. Grants bolster specific initiatives rather than core operations, with past awards exceeding £167,000 yearly to UK-wide causes in England, Wales, and Scotland, favoring direct-impact projects for vulnerable beneficiaries.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, preferably with incomes under £1 million, operating anywhere in the UK without geographic restrictions. It does not fund individuals, core costs, or long-term services. Unsolicited applications are welcomed anytime via letter to Edgcote House, Banbury, OX17 1AG, detailing the charity, project, amount, and impact; trustees meet monthly for rolling decisions, typically within eight weeks (no response means unsuccessful). Grants range £1,000–£20,000 (average £5,000–£15,000), making it a reliable partner for modest-scale, youth-focused charities seeking quick, selective support.