Glass-House Trust

Could Glass-House Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants
£50,000 – £250,000
Applications
Not accepted
Decisions
Once per year

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

Check fit free · no card

sfct.org.uk

About Glass-House Trust

The Glass-House Trust is a UK-based philanthropic funder, part of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts and governed by Sainsbury family members. Its mission is to catalyse positive social change through long-term support in the built environment, child development, social policy, and art. The Trust emphasises empowerment, trust-based relationships, and high-quality interventions that foster creative practices and improve physical and social environments. What makes the Trust distinctive is its depth-over-breadth approach, sustaining a small portfolio of aligned organisations. It initiated Glass-House Community Led Design to advance participatory placemaking and community empowerment nationally.

What Glass-House Trust funds

The Trust funds strategic projects and core costs for UK-registered charities working at the intersection of design, place, social outcomes, and creative practice. They support national initiatives in community-led design, child-focused education, policy advocacy, and art with societal benefits. The Trust has a UK-wide geographic focus, supporting work that improves physical and social environments and enhances outcomes for children and communities.

Who can apply

Organisations should be medium to large established charities capable of sustained delivery, with a UK-wide geographic focus but requiring organisations to be UK-based. The Trust supports UK-registered charities working at the intersection of design, place, social outcomes, and creative practice. There is no religious restriction on applicants.

What Glass-House Trust doesn't fund

The Trust excludes short-term interventions, capital or emergency funding through open calls, non-UK entities, and non-charities. It does not accept unsolicited applications; support is by invitation only.

How they like to fund

The Trust funds strategic projects and core costs, often as multi-year commitments negotiated directly with invitees. Support is trustee-initiated via closed, relationship-based decisions. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications; support is by invitation only.

How much does Glass-House Trust give?

£50,000 – £250,000

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.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction
Focus areas
Children & youthEducationCommunityArts & culture

How to apply to Glass-House Trust

Glass-House 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

  1. 1
    Check fit. See if your project aligns with Glass-House Trust.
  2. 2
    Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
  3. 3
    Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Glass-House Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Glass-House Trust provide?

Glass-House Trust typically provides grants of £50,000 - £250,000.

Where does Glass-House Trust fund charities?

Glass-House Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Glass-House Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Glass-House Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Glass-House Trust?

Glass-House Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.

Spotted something that needs correcting? Tell us.

Could Glass-House Trust be a fit?

Check free — then find open funders like them.