Thomas J Horne Memorial Trust

The Thomas J Horne Memorial Trust, a family-led charitable trust established in 1992, commemorates Thomas J Horne's philanthropic legacy by channeling family wealth into long-term support for hospices and allied charities across England, Scotland, and Wales. Governed by Horne family trustees with no paid staff, it embodies values of compassion, dignity, sustainability, and personal engagement through a lean, low-bureaucracy model favoring multi-year relationships with trusted organizations over open calls.

Primarily funding UK-registered hospices delivering direct palliative and end-of-life care, the trust also supports charities aiding disabled people (e.g., Compaid, Sense), homelessness initiatives, medical care providers, and a small number of UK-based international development projects focused on third-world self-help and capacity building. Emphasis is on core maintenance grants enabling operational sustainability, with recent examples including regional hospices and children's communication charities; project-specific or one-off funding is rarely considered.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities operating in England, Scotland, or Wales—no Northern Ireland or purely international entities, though UK orgs with overseas self-help work qualify. No income size restrictions apply, and unsolicited applications from aligned groups are welcomed.

Grants typically range from £5,000 to £10,000 (average £7,000), with 120 awards totaling over £922,500 in 2023–24. Submit concise written applications anytime by email (cc@horne-trust.org.uk) or post, outlining work, funding need, and priority alignment; rolling basis with trustee decisions at meetings, no deadlines or forms. Distinctive for its unwavering hospice focus, repeat funding to proven partners, and pragmatic, invitation-preferring approach.