Hugh Symons Charitable Trust

The Hugh Symons Charitable Trust is an independent UK grant-making charity established in 2010 by the Roper family trustees, with a core mission to alleviate disadvantage and foster development, particularly in the developing world. Governed traditionally with prudent reserves and robust compliance, it emphasises discretionary funding for overseas aid, reflecting values of targeted impact, global equity, and support for vulnerable populations through education, health, welfare, and environmental initiatives.

It prioritises projects advancing international development, such as primary education infrastructure in rural Kenya (e.g., £10,000 to African Promise), forestry research (£1,000 to Future Trees Trust), and efforts in healthcare access, poverty relief, and sustainability, mainly in Africa and other third-world regions. Funding supports tangible improvements for disadvantaged communities via UK charities delivering overseas work, including both capital and revenue project grants, though unrestricted core costs are rare.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities with a base in the UK, typically small to medium-sized organisations (under £2 million annual income) focused on international aid; solely domestic UK projects are not prioritised. Unsolicited applications are not accepted—trustees identify and approach organisations directly—with no formal process, forms, or deadlines; decisions occur ad hoc during annual financial planning.

Typical grants range from £1,000 to £15,000, often £5,000–£10,000 for significant interventions. Distinctively, its unwavering emphasis on third-world development sets it apart from local funders, excluding partisan, religious-restricted, or non-charitable activities while favouring established groups with proven global impact.