14.04.2026

Trust fundraising in the UK during the second week of April 2026 was marked by a strategic push to decentralize philanthropy, alongside continued pressure on charities to demonstrate high-impact, long-term sustainability. A key development was the government’s announcement on April 13, 2026, of a £1 million “roadmap” designed to unlock investment for communities outside London, aiming to address the regional disparity in funding where London currently receives over a third of all grant funding.

For fundraisers, the landscape remains competitive and demanding. Data from early April shows that many trusts are tightening their criteria, with some, such as the Beatrice Laing Trust, closing to fresh applications to review their priorities. Funders are increasingly prioritizing multi-year, relationship-based funding over one-off grants, looking for partners with strong governance and a clear commitment to EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion).

02.04.2026

In March, UK trust fundraising was characterized by foundations increasingly filling the gaps left by declining corporate and public giving. The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) reported that nearly 70% of charities are now dipping into reserves, driving record demand for trust support. Key grant cycles closed for the McCarthy Stone Foundation and The Fore, while the government’s new £500m Better Futures Fund signaled a strategic shift toward state-philanthropy co-investment. Regulatory scrutiny also intensified; the Charity Commission opened inquiries into the Gorgias Charitable Trust and CISV International, emphasizing governance amidst a volatile economic landscape

16.03.2026

Last week, the UK’s Trust and Foundation sector focused on strategic shifts and regulatory updates. A major milestone occurred on March 10, when the government appointed 12 sector experts, including Lloyds Bank Foundation’s CEO, to the new Civil Society Council, aiming to “reset” the relationship between the state and charities.

In funding news, the Denise Coates Foundation announced a landmark £12 million grant for robotic surgery at Royal Stoke University Hospital. Regulators were also active: the Fundraising Regulator reported a 25% income surge following its levy hike, while the Charity Commission issued fresh guidance for campaigning ahead of the May 2026 elections and opened an inquiry into the Allen Trust over financial mismanagement.

09.03.2026

Trust and foundation fundraising in the UK saw several developments last week. New grant opportunities opened, including the Schroder Charity Trust, which launched its 2026 application window offering grants of up to £5,000 for charities supporting disadvantaged young people and strengthening communities. Meanwhile, sector discussions focused on maintaining public trust, with new research warning that misuse of AI-generated images in charity communications could damage donor confidence and wider fundraising efforts. Across the sector, charities continue to monitor growing demand for grants and funding opportunities as foundations respond with targeted programmes and smaller, focused grant rounds for community and social impact initiatives.

02.03.2026

Last week, the UK’s grant-making sector pivoted toward long-term resilience. The Women’s Resource Centre launched the £350 million “Women’s Forever Fund” to tackle chronic underfunding, while the government initiated a search for partners to manage the £400 million Better Youth Spaces fund through 2030.

In regulation, a tribunal upheld the removal of Vladimir Potanin from his foundation, reinforcing the Charity Commission’s authority over sanctioned figures. While research shows a positive trend toward multi-year grants, the ACF warned that board diversity remains a struggle, with representation still lagging far behind the corporate world. It was a week of massive investment meeting sobering structural reality.

22.02.2026

Last week, the UK’s trust and foundation fundraising scene saw some significant developments. The National Trust received a massive £10m donation from philanthropist Humphrey Battcock, which will support their conservation efforts. Additionally, the Women’s Resource Centre launched the Women’s Forever Fund, aiming to secure £350m for women’s charities. The UK Foundation Programme also announced changes to prioritize UK medical graduates for foundation training places.

Some notable fundraising appointments include Claire Rowney at Ronald McDonald House Charities, Meral Nugent at Nightingale Cancer Support Centre, and Fee Gilfeather at Shelterbox. The London Marathon Group also announced new board appointments, with Dawn Austwick as Chair of the London Marathon Foundation Board of Trustees.

26.01.2026.

Prospect research is the strategic cornerstone of successful trust and foundation fundraising. Rather than a “scattergun” approach, it involves identifying grant-makers whose charitable objectives and historical giving patterns align precisely with a charity’s mission. Researchers scrutinize Annual Reports, Charity Commission records, and databases like 360Giving to assess a funder’s financial capacity and thematic priorities.

19.01.2026

Excellent prospect research in Trust and Foundation fundraising is defined by precision and alignment. Rather than just building a list, high-quality research focuses on the “three pillars”: capacity (financial ability), propensity (history of giving), and affinity (alignment with your mission).

For institutional funders, excellence means looking beyond a foundation’s stated goals to their actual giving history. Analyzing a trust’s past grant recipients via Charity Commission filings or annual accounts reveals their true preferences—such as specific geographic regions, grant sizes, or types of projects—preventing “square peg, round hole” applications.

Ultimately, top-tier research identifies networks. Mapping connections between your trustees and a foundation’s board can transform a cold lead into a warm introduction. This depth of insight allows fundraisers to tailor proposals that mirror a funder’s language, maximizing the chance of a successful partnership.

10.01.2026

Trust and Foundation fundraising in the UK last week featured several standout moments. The Little Princess Trust received a £12,000 donation from the Inco Foundation, supporting free wigs for young people and research into gentler cancer treatments. This contribution helped the Foundation surpass £50,000 in total funds raised to date. Sector‑wide commentary also underscored ongoing challenges: many fundraisers report shrinking prospect lists and increased competition for grants, with some funders pausing programmes due to overwhelming demandalmondtreeconsulting.co.uk. Together, these developments reflect both inspiring generosity and the continued pressure shaping Trust and Foundation fundraising in the UK.

03.01.2026

Last week, the UK trust fundraising sector marked a significant leadership transition as David Henderson officially began his tenure as Chair of the Benefact Trust on New Year’s Day. The final days of December saw a flurry of activity as charities rushed to meet year-end deadlines for major grant-makers, including the Baily Thomas Charitable Fund and the Parkinson’s UK physical activity grants.

Early results from holiday appeals also emerged, with The Telegraph and The Times reporting strong continued momentum for their 2025/26 Christmas campaigns. Meanwhile, local community efforts like the Bracken Trust celebrated raising over £3,000 through festive concerts. Fundraisers are now shifting focus toward 2026, with applications for the Big Give Small Charity Week opening this Monday, January 5th.

22.12.2025

Last week, the UK’s trust and foundation sector navigated a challenging landscape marked by both financial warnings and landmark milestones. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) issued a stark alert, predicting a £300 million shortfall in festive donations, which is expected to increase the reliance on independent grantmakers.

Conversely, the Westminster Foundation celebrated a prolific year, awarding over £10 million in total grants, including a significant £500,000 partnership for inclusive cricket. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) released its winter tracker, highlighting persistent economic hardship while opening new social investment avenues for climate justice. Additionally, the Charity Commission published updated guidance on mergers—a timely move as the Foyle Foundation enters the final days of its historic £185 million spend-down and closure this month.

15.12.2025

The Big Give’s Christmas Challenge campaign was a highlight, raising a record-breaking £57.4 million in one week, proving the power of match funding during the festive season. However, this success was tempered by predictions that festive donations overall are expected to fall by up to £300 million, with children’s charities facing the hardest hit.

Finally, in a structural shift, Save the Children announced it would cease local funding bids, urging others to follow suit, in a move to encourage better-distributed funding, noting that only 8% of humanitarian funding went to local NGOs in 2024.