Oakmoor Trust

The Oakmoor Trust, a charitable trust registered in England and Wales since 1969, is dedicated to advancing general charitable purposes by providing grants to other UK charities and voluntary bodies across England and Wales. Overseen by three trustees including Rathbone Trust Company Ltd, it embodies a generalist, non-directive ethos rooted in robust governance, risk management, and flexible support for the broader charitable sector, rather than targeting specific social issues or interventions. Its enduring mission emphasizes responsive, unrestricted funding to sustain diverse charitable activities, drawing on reserves to maintain consistent grant-making despite modest income.

The Trust funds a wide spectrum of charitable work, including operations, projects, core costs, and unrestricted support, without thematic priorities, preferred causes, or beneficiary groups. Grants go to organisations in fields like maritime archaeology and beyond, aiding small grassroots groups to established charities, with no restrictions on sector or intervention type.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities operating in England and Wales, with no income thresholds, size limits, or special criteria—diverse organisations qualify based on trustees' assessment of need. It does not accept unsolicited applications, instead proactively selecting recipients at biannual trustee meetings (precise dates unpublished, no open rounds or forms).

Typical grants range from £3,000 to £10,000, often at the lower end. Distinctive for its proactive, flexible approach under English charity law, the Trust avoids direct service delivery, individuals, or communities, religious restrictions, and public processes, positioning it as a rare generalist funder for charities seeking broad, non-competitive support.