Three Guineas Trust

The Three Guineas Trust, established in 1996 by Clare Sainsbury as part of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, is a UK grantmaking charity dedicated to advancing the autonomy, liberty, and civil rights of autistic, neurodivergent, and disabled people. Guided by values of social justice, human rights, and lived experience, it empowers these groups to overcome marginalisation and barriers to civic participation through sustained, rights-based interventions. Its distinctive approach emphasises amplifying beneficiary voices, fostering long-term grantee relationships, and upholding ethical standards like Living Wage payments and inclusive governance.

The Trust prioritises two themes: upholding autonomy and human rights for autistic and neurodivergent individuals via advocacy, peer support, holiday schemes, and infrastructure; and tackling disability-related violence, justice exclusion, and policy reform through accredited legal advice, crisis services, and service development. Beneficiaries include autistic children, youth, adults and families, plus deaf and disabled people facing violence. It funds project grants, core costs, capacity building, and unrestricted support for specialist, often beneficiary-led organisations, blending practical aid with systemic advocacy.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or CICs with incomes under £1 million, based anywhere in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). Grants typically range up to £50,000 annually for 1-3 years (max £150,000 over three), awarded via annual programmes like Access to Justice for Disabled People. Applications start with an Expression of Interest (EOI) emailed to grantmaking@threeguineastrust.org.uk during open rounds, followed by full submissions assessed by a lived experience panel; next round opens in 2026.

It rejects unsolicited applications outside rounds and short-term funding, with no religious restrictions. Standout traits include transparent grant data, sector-leading accountability, and a focus on ethical, intersectional neurodiversity-disability work, favouring grassroots to established groups with proven impact.