Overview
Aurora Trust is a UK-based grant-making charity established in 1989 as one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts. It made its first grant in 1990 and was formerly known as The Ashden Trust before renaming itself Aurora Trust in 2022. The organisation aims to address climate change and support environmental resilience through strategic philanthropic funding. Its work spans domestic and international activities and prioritises long-term climate mitigation and nature-focused outcomes.
Mission and focus areas
The principal mission of Aurora Trust is to help protect the world from climate change and support actions that keep global temperature rise within the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 °C target. Its grant-making focuses on interconnected programme areas, including sustainable farming, stopping deforestation, increasing access to sustainable energy, connecting people with nature and promoting energy efficiency. These thematic priorities aim to integrate environmental sustainability with social benefits and equitable outcomes. The Trust also collaborates with partners to influence financial and market systems aligned with climate goals.
Structure and governance
Aurora Trust operates as part of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts network and is governed by a board of trustees. The founder, Sarah Butler-Sloss, remains Chair of the Board. Other trustees bring expertise in law, conservation, investment and forestry. The Trust’s executive team manages grant operations and administrative functions, and financial oversight is provided by senior finance partners. Aurora Trust typically identifies potential grantee organisations through research, partnerships and expert networks, rather than accepting unsolicited applications.
Programs and offerings
Aurora Trust offers grants to registered charities and organisations whose work aligns with its climate and environmental objectives. It participates in initiatives such as the Climate Change Collaboration — a partnership with other charitable trusts to advance systemic climate solutions. The Trust’s funding supports evidence-based interventions, advocacy, nature connection programmes and sustainable energy access. Its grants data are published through platforms such as 360Giving, reflecting transparency of funded activities. Aurora Trust also supports its sister charity — Ashden – Climate Solutions in Action — which advances sustainable energy innovation.
Our mission
Our mission is to help protect the world from climate change, keep global temperatures to 1.5 degrees and restore our relationship with the natural world.
We want to make this difference by using our grants and investments to safeguard our forests, repair damaged soils, connect people with nature, support universal access to clean energy and help make financial investments better benefit nature and our society.
