E H Smith Charitable Trust

Could E H Smith Charitable Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £500 – £10,000
Where they fund: Local (radius of EH Smith locations), United Kingdom, Overseas
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form

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

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About E H Smith Charitable Trust

The E H Smith Charitable Trust is a family-founded charitable trust established in 1944, rooted in a sense of community responsibility. The Trust reinvests profits from the family business to support local communities, with a focus on practical, responsive philanthropy. Their values include generosity, inclusiveness, and a commitment to place-based giving, favouring grassroots organisations and tangible outcomes. The Trust supports a range of charitable activities, with a preference for organisations in the West Midlands; charities outside this region typically receive smaller grants. They fund hospices, youth organisations, junior sports clubs, school initiatives, and faith-based outreach, as well as providing food vouchers through a referral scheme and in-kind donations of building materials for construction projects.

What E H Smith Charitable Trust funds

The Trust supports a broad range of charitable activities, including hospices providing end-of-life care, youth organisations, junior sports clubs, school initiatives, and faith-based outreach. They also fund food insecurity programmes through a food voucher scheme, which is available to individuals referred by professionals such as Citizens Advice, social workers, or NHS professionals. Additionally, the Trust offers in-kind donations of building materials for organisations with building or construction projects. While the Trust operates across the United Kingdom and overseas, preference is given to organisations in the West Midlands; charities outside this region typically receive smaller grants.

Who can apply

The Trust primarily funds registered charities through its General Charitable Grants programme. For the Food Voucher Scheme, individuals can apply but must be referred by a professional, such as a Citizens Advice advisor, social worker, or NHS professional. The Building Materials Donation Program is open to organisations with building or construction projects. The Trust has a geographic preference for the West Midlands, though organisations elsewhere in the UK may apply and typically receive smaller grants. There is no religious restriction on applicants.

What E H Smith Charitable Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not publicly detail specific exclusions beyond their geographic preference. However, for the Food Voucher Scheme, vouchers cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or lottery purchases.

How they like to fund

The Trust offers a mix of funding types: general charitable grants, a food voucher scheme for individuals, and in-kind donations of building materials. They welcome unsolicited applications for their General Charitable Grants programme. The food voucher scheme operates through a referral system, and the building materials programme is for organisations with construction projects. The Trust's approach is practical and responsive, reflecting their family business ethos.

How much does E H Smith Charitable Trust give?

E H Smith Charitable Trust runs 3 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 28 sourced facts

Building Materials Donation ProgramRolling applications

Online application form

Food Voucher SchemeRolling applications

Online application form
Decisions in ~6 weeks

General Charitable GrantsRolling applications

Up to £25,000

Apply by letter

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What E H Smith Charitable Trust funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Organisations with building or construction projects should consider applying for in-kind donations of building materials.

Where they fund

Local (radius of EH Smith locations)United KingdomOverseas

Costs they'll cover

Emergency funding

The full exclusions list (2)

Vouchers cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or lottery purchases.
Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

CommunityChildren & youthPoverty & hardshipOlder peopleHealth

How to apply to E H Smith Charitable Trust

E H Smith Charitable Trust takes applications via online form.

Published programme route: online application form.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if E H Smith Charitable Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does E H Smith Charitable Trust provide?

E H Smith Charitable Trust runs 3 grant programmes — General Charitable Grants: Up to £25,000.

Where does E H Smith Charitable Trust fund charities?

E H Smith Charitable Trust funds charities operating in Local (radius of EH Smith locations), United Kingdom, Overseas.

Does E H Smith Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?

E H Smith Charitable Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does E H Smith Charitable Trust not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Vouchers cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or lottery purchases.; Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from E H Smith Charitable Trust?

E H Smith Charitable Trust takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.