UK's National Trust receives 10m, its largest-ever cash donation

"The National Trust has received the largest cash donation in its 131-year history, a £10m unrestricted gift from philanthropist Humphrey Battcock, as it sets out an expansive programme for 2026 that places renewed emphasis on historic buildings, collections and cultural access alongside nature recovery. Battcock said the trust had been at the "vanguard of progress" in the UK, praising its "deep commitment to sustainability and to providing access for more people"."

"Crucially, the donation comes without conditions. "I will have no say over how the charity spends it," he said. "And that is because I trust the National Trust to know how best this money can be used." For the trust, the flexibility is significant. Apart from legacies, only 2.6% of its fundraising income is unrestricted. Hilary McGrady, director-general of the National Trust, described the gift as "a huge boost", both practically and symbolically."

"Cultural programming inside historic houses will form a major strand of these plans. The trust will revive libraries and reading rooms at properties including Wightwick Manor, Powis Castle and Kingston Lacy, some of which have never been used for reading by the public. It will build on its "slow-looking" approach to its art collections by introducing more seating. Visitors will be encouraged to sit, read and spend longer engaging with collections."

The National Trust received a £10m unrestricted gift from philanthropist Humphrey Battcock, its largest cash donation in 131 years. The donor placed no conditions on the gift and explicitly relinquished any say over its spending. The unrestricted nature is significant because only 2.6% of fundraising income is unrestricted. The trust will pursue a 2026 programme emphasising historic buildings, collections, cultural access and nature recovery. Plans include reviving libraries and reading rooms at several properties, encouraging longer engagement with art through more seating, and staging textile exhibitions that explore global histories of migration, trade and craftsmanship.

Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events