The Valerie White Memorial Trust was founded in memory of Valerie White (1915-1975), who was a well-known and successful actress in the London Theatre for more than three decades. White was also a recognised artist and novelist.

The Trust awards small grants to drama students and animal welfare charities. Its charitable objectives are:

o Providing relief to poor and deserving actors and actresses under the age of 25, and
o Providing financial assistance to any well-established charitable animal home sanctuary or zoo.

The Trust’s annual accounts state that the trustees “through their day-to-day contacts identify individuals and organisations whose objectives may be supported by grants from the Trust”, indicating that the trustees are proactive in researching the charities and individuals it wishes to support. There is no indication on the Charity Commission website, however, that the Trust will not accept unsolicited requests. Awards appear to be restricted to England and Wales (the Trust doesn’t advertise its activities widely as it does not have the capacity to respond to a large volume of requests).

Grant awards tend to be small: usually for less than £3,000 for individuals and under £1,000 for organisations. During the year ended 5th April 2023, the Trust awarded:

o 24 grants to charitable institutions totalling £12,500. All awards were for less than £1,000, and
o 8 grants totalling £15,500 to individual drama students. Grants were for between £1,500 and £3,000.

Please note that the Trust does not have a website, nor does it provide a list of organisations that have been awarded a grant in its annual accounts. Further information is, however, available on the Charity Commission website. 

Applications may be made at any time in writing. Trustees meet regularly online to consider applications.

Contact details for the Trust are:

The Trustees
The Valerie White Memorial Trust
St. 3ames's House
8 Overcliffe
Gravesend
Kent
DA11 OH3
Email: info@carley.co.uk