Economist Charitable Trust
Could Economist Charitable Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- £5,000 – £30,000
- Applications
- Not accepted
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
Check fit free · no card
register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Economist Charitable Trust
The Economist Charitable Trust, established in 1986 by The Economist Newspaper Limited, advances education and knowledge globally. Governed by trustees linked to The Economist Group, it embodies the company's ethos of progress through intellectual development, independent thinking, free inquiry, and evidence-based debate. Primarily funded by annual donations from the newspaper, which also covers admin costs, the Trust blends trustee-directed grants with staff nomination matching, emphasizing lasting empowerment via knowledge-building interventions. This approach distinguishes it as a targeted, employee-responsive funder for global education equity through trusted philanthropy. The Trust supports UK-registered charities delivering project-specific activities such as educational resources, literacy campaigns, skills training, re-skilling, and communications programs for disadvantaged individuals. Beneficiaries are typically small- to medium-sized organizations tackling educational disadvantage or information inequality worldwide, prioritizing long-term intellectual capacities over general operations. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; grants arise from trustee selections or staff schemes. The Trust excludes core or operational costs and favors evidence-led, innovative projects aligned with Economist values.
What Economist Charitable Trust funds
The Trust funds project-specific activities that advance education and knowledge globally. This includes educational resources, literacy campaigns, skills training, re-skilling, and communications programs for disadvantaged individuals. It supports initiatives like the Economist Educational Foundation that foster critical thinking and global discussions. The Trust prioritizes evidence-led, innovative projects aligned with Economist values, emphasizing lasting empowerment through knowledge-building interventions. Beneficiaries are typically small- to medium-sized organizations tackling educational disadvantage or information inequality worldwide, with a focus on long-term intellectual capacities over general operations.
Who can apply
The Trust supports UK-registered charities delivering project-specific activities for disadvantaged individuals and groups. Beneficiaries are typically small- to medium-sized organizations with robust structures tackling educational disadvantage or information inequality worldwide. The Trust prioritizes organizations that focus on long-term intellectual capacities over general operations. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; grants arise from trustee selections or staff schemes, so eligibility is determined through these internal processes rather than open applications.
What Economist Charitable Trust doesn't fund
The Trust excludes core or operational costs. It does not support general operations, focusing instead on project-specific activities that build knowledge and intellectual capacities. Unsolicited applications are not accepted, so the Trust does not fund through open calls or public application processes.
How they like to fund
The Trust blends trustee-directed grants with staff nomination matching, emphasizing lasting empowerment via knowledge-building interventions. It is primarily funded by annual donations from the newspaper, which also covers admin costs. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; grants arise from trustee selections or staff schemes, making it an invitation-only funder. The Trust favors evidence-led, innovative projects aligned with Economist values.
How much does Economist Charitable Trust give?
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.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Economist Charitable Trust
Economist 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
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Economist Charitable Trust.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Economist Charitable Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Economist Charitable Trust provide?
Economist Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £5,000 - £30,000.
Where does Economist Charitable Trust fund charities?
Economist Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Economist Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Economist Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Economist Charitable Trust?
Economist 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.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
Browse related grants
Spotted something that needs correcting? Tell us.
Could Economist Charitable Trust be a fit?
Check free — then find open funders like them.