The UK’s National Trust—an enterprise whose mission statement focuses on work to “tackle climate change, protect historic sites and help people and nature thrive”—received the biggest donation in its 131-year history when private-equity investor and philanthropist Humphrey Battcock gave £10 million (around $13.4 million). The gift is unconditional, meaning it can be used for whatever purposes the organization sees fit.
As reported by the Art Newspaper, Battock said of the gift, “I will have no say over how the charity spends it—and that is because I trust the National Trust to know how best this money can be used.”
Such flexibility is rare in the context of donations, which often include stipulations or constraints regarding how funds can be allocated. (In the National Trust’s case, only two percent of fundraising income, aside from legacy donations, can be used without restriction.) Hilary McGrady, director-general of the National Trust, called the gift “a huge boost.”
Making special mention of the National Trust’s heritage and conservation work, Battock said in a release, “It was during a visit to Osterley Park and House that I witnessed first-hand the efforts the Trust has put in to ensuring people from all parts of our society have access to its attractions, where it cares for our history, nurtures our nature and makes the fullest use of their potential. I also visited Trust-owned farms in north Devon and saw its emphatic commitment to sustainable food production.”
As part of the Trust’s 10-year strategic plan, McGrady has revealed how some of the funding will be used, including to create cultural programming inside historic hours, as well as conserve libraries and reading rooms at different properties, some of which have never been open to the public, according to TAN.
McGrady said that Battock’s gift comes at an important moment for funding for arts and culture. “We must halt the freefall decline in nature before it becomes irreversible; end unequal access to nature, beauty and history; and inspire millions more people to care for the world around them,” she said. “As Europe’s largest conservation charity, the National Trust is uniquely placed to address these challenges, but we can’t underestimate the scale of the change that’s needed.”
