The A B Charitable Trust (commonly known as ‘ABCT’) is a major UK grant-making charity, regularly awarding grants totalling several £ million each year, that places its focus on promoting and defending human dignity and human rights. It supports unpopular causes reaching the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, and particularly UK charities working in the areas of:
o Criminal justice and penal reform.
o Human rights, particularly where this involves access to justice, and
o Migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum.
The Trust favours applications from UK registered charities that can demonstrate the following:
o Are well run, make best use of resources and follow best practice in all aspects of their work.
o Deliver effective work and can demonstrate the difference it makes.
o Engage the talents of people who have experienced the problems the organisation exists to address.
o Listen to the people they seek to support about their needs, and amend their work accordingly.
o Share knowledge where possible (eg with colleagues in the sector, or to influence attitudes to an issue or to influence policy).
o Work well with others in the geographical or policy area (are happy to combine knowledge and resources where helpful and avoid duplication), and
o Would make best use of a grant (for example, where the grant would make a demonstrable positive difference).
UK registered charities with an annual income of between £150,000 and £1.5 million may apply for a revenue grant. During the year ended 30th April 2023 2 the Trust awarded grants totalling £5,717,842 (2022: £4,739,700) categorised as follows:
o Access to Justice (Human Rights): 58 grants totalling £2,135,562 (2022: 51 grants totalling £1,400,250).
o Criminal Justice System: 59 grants totalling 1,260,900 (2022: 59 grants totalling £1,082,500 (average grant: £18,345), and
o Migrants, Refugees and People Seeking Asylum: 93 grants totalling £2,321,380 (2022:
87 grants totalling £2,236,950).
Grant awards ranged from £3,500 to £270,000 (to the Legal Education Foundation). However, the vast majority of grants awarded were for between £10,000 and £25,000.
Funding is not available for:
o Academic research.
o Capital projects.
o Individuals.
o National charities (or local charities linked to a national network), or
o Projects that promote religion.
Further information, guidance and an online application form is available on the Trust’s website.
The Trust’s first deadline for applications in 2024 was last Friday, 26th January. The next two deadlines are:
o Friday 26th April 2024 for a decision in July 2024, and
o Friday 26th July for a decision in October 2024.
