Nesbitt-Cleland Trust

The Nesbitt-Cleland Trust is a family-run charitable grant-maker established by trust deed on 27 March 2008 and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (number 1123861), governed by trustees led by Stephen James Nesbitt. Its core mission is broadly philanthropic: to apply capital and income at trustees' discretion for any charitable purposes or institutions under UK law, emphasising responsible stewardship, public benefit, and flexible support without thematic, sectoral, or beneficiary restrictions. This generalist approach prioritises continuity in grant-making, professional investment management to preserve capital, and trustee-led decisions rooted in networks and ongoing relationships.

The trust funds a diverse array of charitable activities across England and Wales, including project work, core costs, unrestricted support, and occasional grants to individuals, with no fixed priorities—sustained backing goes to general needs aligned with Charity Commission guidance, from grassroots efforts to larger initiatives.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities based in the UK (England and Wales focus, no regional limits), of any size or income level. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; grants are invite-only, identified by trustees via their networks, with no public process, forms, or deadlines—awards occur at regular adhoc meetings throughout the year. Typical grant amounts are undisclosed and fully discretionary, with no minimums or maximums.

Distinctively, the trust avoids thematic silos or statutory rounds, differentiating it as a flexible, high-discretion funder for broad charitable impact rather than targeted programmes; it excludes non-charitable purposes but imposes no other restrictions, making it ideal for UK charities demonstrating clear public benefit when approached by trustees.