Grants of between £250 and £2,000 are available for UK registered charities working in the areas of the environment, medical causes and with people who are disadvantaged in the UK and/or overseas.
The Oak Trust awards a relatively modest number of grants each year. Preference is given to small charities with an annual turnover of less than £1 million. For charities working in the UK, those providing services in East Anglia, North London and East London are more likely to receive a favourable response. Overseas causes are also supported. The Trust’s funding preferences are:
- Environmental causes.
- Medical causes, and
- People who are disadvantaged.
The Trust normally takes the following issues into consideration when reviewing grant applications:
- How challenging the raising of the money for the particular cause will be.
- How much the charity spends on fund-raising and administration.
- People who are disadvantaged (in the widest sense).
- Personal development through adventure.
- The environment.
- The number of people assisted per £ spent.
- The viability of the charity and where the rest of the money will come from.
- Whether a small grant will really make a difference to the charity.
- Whether the charity will be able to bring life-changing benefits to its clients, and
- Whether the charity works locally, nationally or internationally.
Further information, guidance and an online application form is available on the Trust’s website.
The Trust meets twice each year to review applications with deadlines usually on 1 April and 1 October.