Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust

The Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust (EKCT), established in 1963 by Ernest and Joan Kleinwort, is a family-led grant-making foundation dedicated to making a meaningful difference for people in need in Sussex while supporting wildlife conservation worldwide. Guided by values of familial responsibility, ecological awareness, and flexibility, it operates with trustee discretion, blending family continuity and independent oversight to fund proven, sustainable initiatives without direct programme delivery or fundraising.

EKCT prioritises Sussex-based charities addressing general welfare, hospices, youth work, community support, mental health, arts, and social disadvantage (over 60% of recent spending), alongside wildlife and environmental conservation (25%), including UK efforts and international projects for biodiversity, habitat restoration, and climate resilience—beneficiaries like Rainforest Foundation UK, WWF, and Environmental Investigation Agency. It supports project funding, core costs, start-up costs, unrestricted grants, capital, and revenue needs, favouring organisations delivering lasting change.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities (Charity Commission England & Wales or OSCR Scotland) with at least 12 months' registration and one full year's accounts, no income limits; strong Sussex focus required, but non-Sussex charities may apply for wildlife/environmental conservation (UK/international) or reproductive health in Africa/Asia with environmental impact—UK entities must lead. Applications start with an online Eligibility Questionnaire; small grants (up to £10,000) rolling (60-day decisions); medium (£10,001–£20,000) in four 2025 windows (4 Jan–4 Feb, 18 Apr–12 May, 10 Jul–13 Aug, 9 Oct–12 Nov, 8–12 weeks); large (>£20,000) invitation-only (4 Jan–4 Mar, 10 Jul–10 Sep). Typical range £2,000–£25,000; one application per 12 months.

EKCT excludes expeditions, individuals, CICs, non-registered groups, and narrowly specialised purposes; grants are mostly one-off with discretionary renewals. Distinctive for its decades-long Sussex-conservation dual focus, strategic flexibility, and support for diverse sizes from grassroots to established groups.