Glass-House Trust

The Glass-House Trust, part of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts and governed by Sainsbury family members, is a UK-based philanthropic funder dedicated to catalysing positive social change through long-term support in the built environment, child development, social policy, and art. Established with a vision of enabling enduring impact, innovation, and quality in placemaking, education, and social action, it emphasises empowerment, trust-based relationships, and high-quality interventions that foster creative practices, improve physical and social environments, and enhance outcomes for children and communities. Its distinctive approach prioritises depth over breadth, sustaining a small portfolio of aligned organisations like Glass-House Community Led Design, which it initiated to advance participatory placemaking and community empowerment nationwide.

The Trust funds strategic projects and core costs for UK-registered charities working at the intersection of design, place, social outcomes, and creative practice, including national initiatives in community-led design, child-focused education, policy advocacy, and art with societal benefits. It supports medium to large established charities capable of sustained delivery, with a UK-wide geographic focus but requiring organisations to be UK-based.

Grants typically range from £50,000 to £250,000 annually, often as multi-year commitments negotiated directly with invitees; there are no open application processes, deadlines, or unsolicited submissions—support is trustee-initiated via closed, relationship-based decisions made at least annually. It excludes short-term interventions, capital/emergency funding via open calls, non-UK entities, and non-charities, standing out for its bespoke, risk-tolerant philanthropy that enables innovation without competitive rounds.