The National Trust has received the biggest cash donation in its 131-year history as philanthropist Humphrey Battcock has pledged £10 million in unrestricted funding. This comes as the Trust shares its upcoming plans to restore nature, end unequal access to nature and culture, and inspire millions more people to care for the world around them in 2026.
Mr Battcock’s donation is transformative for the National Trust because it means the charity can spend the funds without conditions. Most donations to UK charities are legally restricted to be spent in specific ways. Importantly, unrestricted funding provides the Trust with the flexibility to fund projects of its choosing and support infrastructure. Excluding legacy donations, only 2.6% of the National Trust’s fundraising income is available to use without restrictions.
Humphrey Battcock said: “The National Trust represents what is best about our society, preserving our shared heritage for all the people. For over 130 years, it has been at the vanguard of progress for the United Kingdom. Its deep commitment to sustainability and to providing access for more people resonates with the values of its founders and reminds us of what is special about our country.
“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.
“In making this donation, I want to emphasise that it is unrestricted; 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.”
Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “This gift is a huge boost for the National Trust – both because of the vital work it will fund and because of the faith Humphrey has shown in our approach by making it unrestricted. We believe the challenges we’re setting out to tackle through our new strategy will define our generation: 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.
“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. That’s why every donation, from big individual gifts like the one we’re celebrating today, to smaller donations for specific appeals and the regular contributions of our 5.3 million members, is valued and needed.”
Last year the National Trust launched an ambitious 10-year strategy to guide the charity’s work to 2035 and beyond. It pledged to make its biggest contribution to addressing the catastrophic decline in nature in its history, by creating 250,000 hectares of nature-rich landscapes, both on Trust land and off it. The charity also announced its ambition to significantly grow people’s access to nature and cultural heritage over the next 10 years and inspire millions more to care for the world around them. The Trust’s 2026 plans build on these foundations.
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