Charitable Trusts

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What is a Charitable Trust?

Charitable trusts are your route to making an impact with your charitable giving. From funding your favourite theatre, to safeguarding your local schools, to supporting global climate change initiatives – and everything in between. However niche or broad the cause, well invested wealth can help make a difference.

A charitable trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales or with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) in Scotland.

In setting up a charitable trust with Ludlow Trust, you will have the power to shape the trust’s grant-making strategy with the help of our highly qualified experts.

Is a charitable trust right for me?

If you want to make a difference, a charitable trust is a great way to do it.

Whether you are looking to set aside several hundred thousand pounds or several millions, up front or over time, your experience of opening and operating a charitable trust can be as hands on or hands off as you wish.

We will handle all the administration, leaving you to focus your time on the important things; what you want to give and who will benefit.

Why set up a charitable trust?

Leaving a legacy

Charitable trusts enable you to create and leave a lasting legacy, allowing you to support causes close to your heart, both during and beyond your lifetime. Trusts can be created at any time. Decide to form one now and you’ll determine how it runs, and have the freedom to build and scale it as you wish. We have the experience, tools and expertise to work with you to craft a charitable trust which is unique to you and delivers on your philanthropic vision.

Why set up a charitable trust?

Engaging the next generation

Starting a charitable trust is a great way to get future generations involved and engaged with the world of charitable giving, as well as with assets and investments. Older children can learn important lessons about investing through observing how a charitable trust is run and helping manage it, while young children can start to understand how family wealth can be used to help others. Consider the long-term value of engaging with your family in deciding which charitable causes to benefit.

Why set up a charitable trust?

Very compelling tax reliefs

Charitable trusts benefit from compelling tax reliefs. For an additional rate taxpayer, the cost of setting up a new charity may be about half of the total value of the trust – in practice this means a £500,000 trust may only cost £265,000, using Gift Aid. These benefits also extend to giving via your will, where a gift of 10% of your estate to charity could end up only costing your family around 2.5%. We can also help non-domiciled clients looking to set up a UK charitable trust.

Charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)

If you are interested in establishing a CIO rather than a trust, our team can advise and guide you through the process. Book a meeting to find out more.

Grant making foundation

A grant making foundation is the umbrella term for charitable trusts and charitable incorporated organisations which make charitable grants to others. Our team can help you get to grips with any type of grant making foundation. Book a meeting today to get started.

Download our information sheet on Charitable Trusts