Charitable Trust

Adams Charitable Foundation

The Adams Charitable Trust deals with the organizations that serve people who are disabled, those who struggle with poverty, as well as children and the young. The focal regions are the developing world, projects that are of national benefit, and specifically to the area of Herefordshire and its surrounding neighborhood.

For obvious reasons individuals are not awarded grants. The Middle East, Eastern Europe or those countries that were part of the erstwhile Soviet Union are not eligible to apply for help. As per the wishes of the benefactor, Sylvia Adams, the trust is not involved with organizations set up for the sole purpose of looking after the elderly, animal care, medical science research projects or issues relating to the environment.

Even within the areas eligible for grant, there are some constraints related to specific areas of work and location at any point of time. The original idea of the benefactor was to focus on those groups on which the maximum impact will be felt. The application process is very simple. It can be sent by email consisting of a brief outlining of the activities of the organization and which particular zone needs funds, as well as the annual income of the group. From this, the trustees will be able to assess and proceed if deemed fit.

The Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust was launched with the money that was collected from the private collection of antiques and artifacts of Sylvia Phyllis Adams. Included in this collection were bronzes, plaques, ivory and majolica works, furniture and mirrors dating back to the Renaissance. It was a remarkable gallery set up by a single lady. She reached the zenith of her passion during the 1930's and 40's. In particular, she was closely associated in her work with Colonel Fitzwilliam, who was, at one time, based in Tanzania. His collection is kept in Cambridge at Fitzwilliam Museum. The irony of fate is that she, towards the end of her life, could not manage what she had built up. Alan Morris and Jerry Golland set up this Trust following the lines Sylvia Adams had laid down.

From this unique lifetime achievement the Trustees have distributed more than 5 million pounds through a period of six years. At the same time, steps have been taken to ensure that the grants continue to flow and have its impact on those whose thoughts were uppermost in the minds of the benefactor, Adams.