H M Sassoon Charitable Trust

The H M Sassoon Charitable Trust, established in December 1962, is a long-standing UK-registered grant-making trust rooted in the philanthropic traditions of the Sassoon family. Governed by family trustees including Lord James Sassoon (appointed 2020), Adrian David Sassoon, and Mrs S Von Halle, it supports charities aligned with their personal interests under the broad banner of 'General Charitable Purposes.' Lacking a formal mission statement or strategic themes, its distinctive approach is highly discretionary and private, prioritizing trustee-led decisions over structured programs, with no published criteria or theory of change.

The trust funds a diverse array of registered charities and voluntary bodies across sectors throughout England and Wales, providing grants for general purposes such as core costs, projects, unrestricted support, and revenue needs. It reflects trustees' eclectic interests without fixed priorities, favoring established organizations over grassroots groups, though specific recent recipients remain undisclosed in public records.

Eligible applicants must be UK-registered charities operating in England and Wales, with no income thresholds, geographic sub-priorities, or religious restrictions specified. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; funding occurs solely at trustees' discretion, often via personal connections, with ad hoc meetings and no deadlines or application process.

Typical grants range from £5,000 to £25,000, drawn from an annual expenditure of £140,000–£150,000. It excludes direct support to individuals or communities, non-charities, and organizations outside its beneficiary criteria, distinguishing itself as a classic family trust ideal for those with trustee ties rather than open competition.