Jessica Mathers Trust

The Trust funds targeted initiatives including homelessness outreach, grief therapy, suicide prevention for youth, mentoring for at-risk young women, respite holidays for bereaved or ill families, domestic abuse support, skills training, and environmental projects. It supports both project costs and select core costs for grassroots organisations. Beneficiaries include those bereaved by road accidents or suicide, vulnerable children and young people, women at risk, disabled people, and multi-disadvantaged communities. While geographically focused on Deptford and Lewisham, the Trust funds across England and occasionally abroad when aligned with core themes.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups. The Trust has a preference for small organisations and does not impose income thresholds or religious restrictions. Beneficiary groups prioritised include those facing homelessness, premature bereavement, vulnerable adolescence, family disadvantage, and multi-disadvantaged communities. The Trust seeks partners with local roots, particularly in Deptford and Lewisham, but also considers work across England and occasionally abroad if aligned with its core themes. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; the Trust proactively identifies and approaches aligned partners.

The Trust does not fund large capital projects or multi-year grants. It also does not accept unsolicited applications, as it operates by invitation only. Its grants are typically for short-term support, covering project costs and select core costs.

The Trust operates on an invitation-only model. Trustees proactively identify and approach aligned partners, prioritising trusted relationships and hyper-local resilience. It supports both project costs and select core costs. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.