Elias Ashmole Trust
Could Elias Ashmole Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- Up to £200,000
- Applications
- Not accepted
- Decisions
- As needed
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Elias Ashmole Trust
The Elias Ashmole Trust was established in 2000 as a charitable company dedicated to supporting the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, fulfilling the 17th-century vision of its founder for the world's first university museum. Its mission centres on advancing public education, preserving collections, and promoting research in natural history, archaeology, art, and culture. The Trust embodies stewardship and philanthropy, enabling major initiatives that enhance the museum's public benefit and heritage interpretation. It funds targeted projects exclusively for the Ashmolean, including acquisitions, conservation, gallery enhancements, exhibitions, research, and educational outreach. This highly focused role distinguishes it as a philanthropic backbone for a single premier institution, channelling support to enrich the museum's holdings and accessibility.
What Elias Ashmole Trust funds
The Trust funds a range of project types exclusively for the Ashmolean Museum. These include artefact acquisitions to strengthen the museum's collections, conservation work to preserve objects, gallery enhancements and permanent exhibition developments, temporary exhibitions, research initiatives, and educational outreach programmes. The funding benefits the museum, its scholars, students, and the wider public. All supported activities must align with the museum's scope and mission of advancing knowledge in natural history, archaeology, art, and culture. The Trust does not fund work outside the museum's direct remit.
Who can apply
The Trust's funding is exclusively available to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. External organisations, charities, or individuals are not supported. The ultimate beneficiaries of the Trust's grants are the museum, its scholars, students, and the general public. No other organisations are eligible, regardless of their focus or location.
What Elias Ashmole Trust doesn't fund
The Trust does not fund any external organisations, core costs, unrestricted support, or activities that fall outside the Ashmolean Museum's scope. It also does not provide emergency aid or general operating support. All grants must be for specific, project-based initiatives that directly benefit the museum and its public mission.
How they like to fund
The Trust makes grants on an ad hoc basis, decided internally in consultation with museum leadership. Unsolicited applications are not accepted. Funding is provided for specific projects rather than core costs or unrestricted purposes. The Trust's philanthropic role is highly focused and exclusive to the Ashmolean Museum.
How much does Elias Ashmole 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 Elias Ashmole Trust
Elias Ashmole 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 as needed.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Elias Ashmole 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 Elias Ashmole Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Elias Ashmole Trust provide?
Elias Ashmole Trust typically provides grants up to £200,000.
Where does Elias Ashmole Trust fund charities?
Elias Ashmole Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Elias Ashmole Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Elias Ashmole Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Elias Ashmole Trust?
Elias Ashmole 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.
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