Winstone Charitable Trust

The Winstone Charitable Trust is a grant-giving charity registered in England and Wales since May 2009, dedicated exclusively to supporting other charities and organisations for the benefit of Cirencester residents in Gloucestershire. Overseen by a small board of trustees chaired by Philip Treglown Beckerlegge since inception, with longstanding members like Dr Andrew John Chapel and Dr Andrew Peter Ives, it embodies a low-profile, place-based ethos focused on enhancing local community life through steady, discretionary grantmaking. Lacking a public website or formal publicity, it prioritises grassroots impact in Cirencester without thematic specialisation, acting as a reliable pillar for the town's charitable sector.

The Trust funds a broad spectrum of community needs, including welfare, education, arts, health, and social causes, supporting both project-specific initiatives and core costs for local organisations. Grants reflect evolving local priorities, with no published restrictions on grant types beyond direct benefit to Cirencester people, making it a versatile generalist funder for charities addressing everyday challenges.

Eligible applicants are UK charities and voluntary groups whose work demonstrably serves Cirencester residents, with a preference for small to medium grassroots and established community-based entities; no strict income thresholds apply, though larger organisations are less typical. Funding is invite-only—unsolicited applications are not accepted—and decisions occur ad hoc at trustees' discretion, with no deadlines, open rounds, or formal processes.

Typical grants range from £500 to £2,500, occasionally involving multi-year commitments. Distinctive for its hyper-local exclusivity and trustee-led selectivity, the Trust avoids national or thematic programmes, statutory bodies, or activities without clear Cirencester ties, setting it apart as a discreet, unwavering supporter of town-specific charitable efforts.