Stoneygate Trust

Could Stoneygate Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: £500,000 – £10,000,000
Applications: By invitation only

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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About Stoneygate Trust

The Stoneygate Trust is an independent grant-making charity established in 2007 by philanthropists Sir William and Lady Nadine Adderley. Originally known as the Leicester Foundation, it operates as a trustee-led general-purpose trust. The Trust values empathy-driven innovation in healthcare, excellence in overcoming barriers, and long-term systemic change. It favours hands-on partnerships over open calls, working closely with organisations it identifies and approaches. With a focus on transformative medical research and educational opportunity for disadvantaged young people, the Trust operates with minimal bureaucracy and a trustee-discretion model, funding only large, established organisations that demonstrate sector-leading excellence.

What Stoneygate Trust funds

The Trust prioritises pioneering medical research in empathic healthcare, kidney disease, rare conditions such as mitochondrial disorders and childhood brain tumours, palliative care, and end-of-life support. It funds centres of excellence and collaborates with bodies like Kidney Research UK and LOROS Hospice. In education, it supports scholarships for academically able, low-income undergraduates, particularly first-generation students from deprived postcodes, at partner universities including Leicester, Nottingham, and De Montfort. While there is no geographic base restriction, initiatives centre on Leicestershire and Rutland with national reach. The Trust funds multi-year projects, capital, and programmes, focusing on large-scale, ambitious work.

Who can apply

The Trust funds UK-registered charities, academic institutions, and community groups. It prioritises large, established organisations that demonstrate sector-leading excellence. Beneficiary groups include disadvantaged young people, low-income undergraduates, and first-generation students from deprived postcodes. While there is no strict geographic restriction, the Trust’s work centres on Leicestershire and Rutland. Organisations with a strong track record in the Trust’s priority areas and a proven ability to deliver systemic change are most likely to align with its approach.

What Stoneygate Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not fund small grassroots groups, operational costs, or small-scale projects. It focuses on large, established organisations and does not support initiatives that fall outside its strategic priorities of medical research and educational opportunity for disadvantaged young people.

How they like to fund

The Trust operates by invitation only, identifying and approaching organisations directly rather than accepting unsolicited applications. It favours hands-on partnerships and a trustee-discretion model, with minimal bureaucracy. Funding is typically for multi-year projects, capital, and programmes, supporting centres of excellence and collaborative initiatives. The Trust works closely with its partners to achieve long-term systemic change.

How much does Stoneygate Trust give?

£500,000 – £10,000,000

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.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

EducationHealthChildren & youth

How to apply to Stoneygate Trust

Stoneygate 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.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Stoneygate Trust.
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Stoneygate Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Stoneygate Trust provide?

Stoneygate Trust typically provides grants of £500,000 - £10,000,000.

Where does Stoneygate Trust fund charities?

Stoneygate Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Stoneygate Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Stoneygate Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Stoneygate Trust?

Stoneygate Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.