Thorne Lodge Charitable Trust

Thorne Lodge Charitable Trust, established in 1988 as the Rochelle and Anthony Selby Charitable Trust, is a discreet, family-led grant-making trust governed by five unpaid Selby family trustees. Operating exclusively in England and Wales, it pursues broad general charitable purposes through grants to other charities and voluntary organisations, emphasising robust governance like risk management, conflict resolution, and financial controls. With no published strategic plan, theory of change, or thematic focus, its distinctive approach is unrestrictive stewardship, enabling flexible support aligned with trustee discretion rather than predefined priorities or innovation.

The trust funds a wide array of general charitable activities without sectoral, beneficiary, or issue-based restrictions, directing grants solely to registered organisations—not individuals—for purposes like core costs, projects, or capital, though specifics are undisclosed. Recent accounts show consistent annual grant expenditure of £80,000–£150,000, reflecting broad, non-specialist philanthropy across England and Wales, with no evidence of preferences for particular causes, regions within those areas, or organisation sizes.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities based in England or Wales, but the trust does not accept unsolicited applications, lacking any published process, guidelines, rounds, or deadlines—instead relying on trustee-identified beneficiaries. No income thresholds, religious restrictions, or other criteria apply. It stands apart as a low-profile, generalist private funder, avoiding publicity, case studies, or grant databases, and excluding direct individual aid while offering breadth over targeted impact. Charities seeking support should note its closed, judgement-driven model.