FAQs

  1. 1. What do you make grants for?

    We make grants to help with core, development and research. We don't make capital grants for buildings or refurbishment. Please visit 'Who we usually fund' for more details.

    Back to top

  2. 2. What size grants do you make?

    The average size of a Trust grant is about £25,000 over a twelve month period. We also make small grants of up to £3,000. Our Trustees believe that their resources should be targeted on modest projects that have the capacity to generate considerable leverage for the users involved. Small grants are prioritised for activities that are important in the long-term but require a more rapid response.

    Grants for policy or research organisations can be much larger.

    Back to top

  3. 3. What length of grant do you consider?

    It depends on the project but our grants usually run from between 1-3 years.

    Back to top

  4. 4. Do you make single grants?

    Yes we do.

    Back to top

  5. 5. Do you have an application form?

    No, we do not have a standard form. If you meet all the criteria as outlined in this website, and qualify as an organisation, then you are invited to register an expression of interest. This should consist of two or three pages describing the following:


    • Your organisation and what it does
    • What you propose to do
    • How you will achieve this
    • How you identified the need for your project
    • What size grant you are looking for
    • The length of your project
    • How you will monitor and evaluate your project
    • Who you will work with

    For further information, please read 'How to apply for a grant'.

    We reserve the right not to respond to registrations of interest that do not meet our criteria for funding.

    Back to top

  6. 6. What are the deadlines for applications for a grant?

    We do not have deadlines, Trustees usually meet three times a year to consider applications. The first step is an expression of interest. Not every registration of interest develops into an application. All expressions of interest are assessed first by the Trust's staff to ensure they meet our funding criteria.

    Back to top

  7. 7. What do you mean by local, national, and international when you talk of funding?

    By local we mean grassroots organisations in the West Midlands area only. We will consider grassroot schemes based in other parts of the country, but only if it contains a significant element towards influencing national policy.

    By national we mean England-based organisations which are intended to influence policy at government level.

    By international we mean groups based outside the United Kingdom. We have worked with groups from many different countries, including Germany, Belgium, Uganda and Kenya. We usually make grants internationally to groups that we approach ourselves.

    Back to top

  8. 8. I read in a Directory that you are not restricted in the grants you make. Is this true?

    Our Trust Deed does not restrict us in the grants we make. However, to focus our resources, we set specific criteria for grant making and can change these as appropriate at any time.

    Back to top

  9. 9. Do you sponsor individuals or groups to raise money for charity or local groups?

    No.

    Back to top