Cinquefoil Trust

What is the Cinquefoil Trust?

The Cinquefoil Trust is a registered charity which is independent of MI5 and which was established to support current and former members of staff, their dependents, and those in a family relationship with them, who find themselves in challenging circumstances. 

The Cinquefoil Trust exists to provide support to its beneficiaries when they need it, whatever the cause. Changes in personal financial circumstances, or in health or well-being, can affect anyone, at any time, through no fault of our own. The Trust may be able to help with more than you might think. If you wish to apply for support, or just to see whether we may be able to help you, please get in touch by writing to:

Cinquefoil Trust  
PO Box 3255 
London 
SW1P 1AE 

More information about the Trust 

The Trust’s charitable objects in full are: 

• the provision of grants to registered charities; and 
• the promotion of the efficiency of the Security Service (MI5) through the relief of need (by reason of health, disability, age, financial hardship or disadvantage) amongst serving and former members, their dependants and those in a family relationship with such members and former members, and through provision of support and assistance to enhance their morale and well-being. 

In fulfilling these objectives, the Trustees generally use the following definitions: 

A ‘dependant’ is taken to mean an individual who requires financial support from a serving or former member. Emotional or other forms of dependence will not qualify. The financial dependence must be substantial and continuing. It is insufficient, therefore, that an individual occasionally requires financial support from a serving or former member, or that they require continuing financial support that is not substantial. Whether support is substantial will depend on all the circumstances of the case. 

A ‘family relationship’ is taken to mean an individual will be regarded as in a family relationship with a serving or former member if (a) they are married to, in a civil partnership with or cohabiting with that member, or are related to that member by blood or adoption, or are the member’s step child, step parent, step sibling, ward, or foster child, and (b) they are resident in the member’s household. An individual will be regarded as in a family relationship with a deceased former member if conditions 1(a) and (b) were satisfied at the time of the former member’s death.’ • The Trust may make exceptions to the above in exceptional circumstances and only where the Trustees consider the merits of the case to be compelling. All staff and former staff, and their dependants and those in a family relationship with them, are eligible to apply for assistance, irrespective of length of service or grade. 

The Cinquefoil Trust is registered charity no. 1182006. As a registered charity, the Trust is independent of MI5 but works closely with MI5 where this facilitates the discharge of our charitable objects.