The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation operates a Small Grants Programme offering revenue grants of between £2,000 and £10,000, as well as a Major Grants Programme, which provides grants of between £10,000 and £100,000. This bulletin focuses on the Small Grants Programme.
The Foundation's revenue grants can be used for core costs, salaries, running and projects costs.
The Small Grants Programme is available to small and medium sized registered charities with an annual income of under £250,000 and not-for-profit organisations across the UK that are supporting local communities, particularly in deprived rural and urban areas. Ideally, applying organisations should be able to demonstrate that they have a track record of successful project delivery and that they are working directly with people in need. Examples of potential projects include (please note this is not an exclusive list):
o Alternative Education - support schemes for young people struggling in mainstream education; homework clubs; supplementary education classes for vulnerable individuals.
o Community Centres - salary or running costs for community centres or village halls which offer a range of activities for all ages.
o Community Services - information, advice and guidance services; community transport schemes; employability training; volunteering; healthy eating and living; foodbanks which support clients out of crisis into long-term sustainability; intergenerational projects, befriending, community cohesion.
o Counselling - for any age in areas where statutory services are unable to cope with demand.
o Family Support Services - early intervention; families coping with addiction; prisoners' families.
o Substance Misuse - recovery projects.
o Training, mentoring, employment and volunteering opportunities, and
o Youth Clubs and detached youth work, after school and holiday clubs; opportunities for NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training).
Eligible rural and urban areas are defined by the Foundation as:
1. Rural Areas - should have a population of under 10,000 residents in a village/town in England, Scotland or Wales. The applicant organisations' postcode must be ranked within the most deprived 50% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation.
2. Urban Areas – should have a population of more than 10,000 people in England, Scotland or Wales. The applicant organisations' postcode must be ranked within the most deprived 15% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation.
Grants of between £2,000 and £10,000 are available for:
o Initiatives that strengthen local communities by empowering local people, bridging divides, building neighbourhood connection, encouraging community participation, and fostering inclusion.
o Projects that address causes of deprivation.
o Projects that create opportunities for disadvantaged individuals, and
o Small to medium-sized charities. The Foundation wants to support grassroots, community-based charities and voluntary organisations in the UK, with frontline experience of service delivery for vulnerable individuals.
There is a matched funding expectation for the Small Grants Programme. Applicants will be required to have sought and secured a minimum of 50% of the total project cost from other sources prior to applying.
Further information, guidance, application "hints and tips", an Eligibility Checklist and an application form is available on the Foundation’s website.
Applications to the Small Grants Programme may be made at any time. Organisations are normally advised within 2 months whether their application has been successful.
