Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust
Could Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- £5,000 – £20,000
- Applications
- By invitation only
- Decisions
- Rolling (no fixed deadline)
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
Check fit free · no card
register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust
The Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust, established in 1977, is a selective grant-making charity that supports charitable purposes where trustees have close personal knowledge, interest, or association. Its core mission emphasises strengthening community-level initiatives, particularly those benefiting children, young people, education, and local welfare. The Trust values discretion, personal involvement, long-term relationships, and tangible grassroots impact. What sets the Trust apart is its intimate, non-procedural approach; it does not accept unsolicited applications, instead identifying recipients directly through trustees' personal networks.
What Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust funds
The Trust funds general charitable activities, including core costs, running expenses, capacity-building, and specific projects such as youth development and health support. Thematic priorities centre on children, young people, education, wellbeing, and local community strengthening. Examples of supported work include youth engagement, physiotherapy, and grassroots operations. The Trust supports organisations across England and Wales, with a particular connection to York and surrounding areas, focusing on small grants that maximise local impact.
Who can apply
The Trust supports small to medium-sized grassroots organisations that are UK registered charities, with strong local roots or trustee connections. Eligibility favours groups based in England and Wales, particularly those benefiting children, young people, and local communities. The Trust does not fund individuals, statutory bodies, or large national organisations, and unsolicited applications are not accepted.
What Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust doesn't fund
The Trust does not fund individuals, statutory bodies, or large capital projects. It also does not accept unsolicited applications; recipients are identified directly by trustees through personal networks and close knowledge of the organisations.
How they like to fund
The Trust operates by invitation only, identifying recipients directly through trustees' personal networks and close knowledge. It focuses on sustained partnerships and small grants that maximise local impact, providing funding for core costs and specific projects. The Trust values long-term relationships and tangible grassroots impact over open processes.
How much does Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust give?
Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust
Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.
- A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
- If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
- Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust provide?
Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £5,000 - £20,000.
Where does Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust fund charities?
Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust?
Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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Could Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust be a fit?
Check free — then find open funders like them.