William and Patricia Venton Charitable Trust

The William and Patricia Venton Charitable Trust is a private endowed UK charity established from the estate of Patricia Venton in memory of her husband William, an architect and conservationist passionate about wildlife and social causes. Founded to perpetuate the Ventons' legacy of compassion, dignity for the elderly, and humane animal treatment, it prioritizes sustained improvements in quality of life through direct, practical support. Its conservative approach favors proven organizations delivering long-term services over experimental projects, guided by a small trustee board committed to preserving the endowment while distributing investment income.

The trust exclusively funds UK charities focused on elderly welfare—such as day centres, specialist programmes, facilities, and infrastructure (with priority to centres in Plymouth, Eastbourne, Northampton, and Age UK/RSPCA-linked sites)—and animal welfare, including care centres and direct relief. Grants support project funding, capital improvements, and operational costs for tangible benefits, reflecting the founders' history of establishing these services.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities (England and Wales) with established track records, preferably small to medium-sized; no strict income limits apply, though startups or informal groups are unlikely fits. Applications are welcomed unsolicited via online form on a rolling basis, reviewed at periodic ad hoc trustee meetings (decisions in weeks to months). Typical grants range from £5,000 to £20,000.

Distinctively, the trust maintains unwavering fidelity to its dual mission and legacy projects as first priority, avoiding seed funding, emergencies, capacity-building, or core costs unrelated to direct delivery; its stability and geographic flexibility within the UK make it ideal for aligned charities seeking reliable, values-driven partnership.