Hancocks Trust
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- Applications
- Not accepted
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Hancocks Trust
The Hancocks Trust is a discreet family grant-making charity established in 2011. Governed by trustees James Carl Hancocks and Antonia Rachel Hancocks, it operates as a traditional family trust with a generalist approach. The Trust's mission centres on advancing health or saving lives, and promoting human rights, religious or racial harmony, equality, and diversity. It values trustee-led discretion and maintains a low profile, with no published strategies or open calls. Funding is directed exclusively through personal networks, making the Trust a quiet but supportive partner for small charities.
What Hancocks Trust funds
The Trust supports work that advances health or saves lives, and promotes human rights, religious or racial harmony, equality, and diversity. It prioritises elderly or older people, people with disabilities, and other UK charities or voluntary bodies. Grants are flexible and general-purpose, able to cover core costs or specific projects. The Trust's funding is available to organisations based in England and Wales, with no narrow thematic restrictions. Its modest scale means it is best suited to small charities seeking unrestricted support.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants must be UK-registered charities based in England and Wales. The Trust supports organisations working with elderly people, people with disabilities, and those advancing the priority causes above. There are no specified income thresholds, size limits, or religious restrictions. However, because the Trust operates by invitation only, only those with direct connections to the trustees can access funding. This closed process means proactive applications are not possible.
What Hancocks Trust doesn't fund
The Trust does not fund individuals or non-charitable organisations. It also does not accept unsolicited applications, so charities without a pre-existing trustee connection cannot receive support. Funding is restricted to organisations in England and Wales.
How they like to fund
The Trust provides flexible, general-purpose grants that may cover core costs or project expenses. It works exclusively by invitation, relying on the trustees' personal networks to identify recipients. There is no application process or open call. Grants are made at the trustees' discretion, with a focus on small charities.
How much does Hancocks Trust give?
Published grant sizes vary. A free fit check matches Hancocks Trust’s current criteria to your charity — so you know if it’s worth applying.
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 Hancocks Trust
Hancocks 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.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Hancocks 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 Hancocks Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Hancocks Trust provide?
Grant amounts vary. Contact Hancocks Trust directly for current funding levels.
Where does Hancocks Trust fund charities?
Hancocks Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Hancocks Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Hancocks Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Hancocks Trust?
Hancocks 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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Could Hancocks Trust be a fit?
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