Hillier Trust

The Hillier Trust, a grant-making charity based in Maidstone, Kent, and led by the Hillier family including founding chair Anthony John Hillier, focuses on advancing Christian-inspired charitable work that addresses disadvantage and social need locally and internationally. Established with a steadfast commitment to Christian compassion, service, and practical support for vulnerable groups, it prioritises relational grant-making to long-standing partners embodying its values, rather than open competitions, ensuring stewardship of resources for sustained impact in faith-led initiatives.

It funds thematic priorities such as youth work, poverty relief, and support for disadvantaged communities, including children, the elderly, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and overseas development; grants also cover general charitable purposes, arts, culture, education, training, and religious activities, primarily for UK-based Christian organisations delivering core costs, projects, revenue support, and occasional capacity building or emergency aid.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities, preferably small to medium-sized (often under £1m income) with a strong Christian ethos and established trustee relationships—no unsolicited applications are accepted, favouring partners in England with national or local reach and occasional overseas projects. Typical grants range from £5,000 to £25,000, with £225,972 awarded to 16 organisations in 2024, often multi-year; decisions occur annually at trustee discretion without published deadlines or processes.

Distinctively invitation-only, the trust excludes new applicants lacking prior ties, non-Christian aligned causes, and large national charities, differentiating itself through unwavering faith-based focus, relational partnerships, and consistent support for youth and social outreach among vulnerable populations.