The trustees tend to be reactive rather than innovatory, by which I mean that we rely on organisations to apply to us rather than seeking out projects ourselves. Generally time does not permit the luxury of the latter course, which does not prevent individual trustees or other family members for that matter from referring specific projects. There are a number of directories available to organisations seeking grants, and normally speaking applications will come to the secretary by this means.
The criteria we use for considering grants have been in place for many years now, gradually evolving as they are reconsidered every three or four years to meet modern trends.
Who can benefit
Organisations compatible with the categories set out below
• There is a strong preference for organisations registered as charities. Others must show a clear charitable purpose and be properly constituted as a non-profit making body.
• Small innovatory projects with a good measure of self-help or voluntary input are preferred.
Geographical area
• England and Wales, but with a clear preference for the West of England, notably:
Somerset (especially West Somerset), Bristol, Cornwall, Dorset and Devon.
• In addition the area included within Bristol Methodist District for applications for Methodist causes. The District incorporates Gloucestershire and Wiltshire north of Salisbury.
• Although we do not want to rule out anywhere in England and Wales, we are a comparatively small trust, and are forced to be selective. Therefore, the further an applicant is from our core area, the less likelihood of success.
What is funded
The broad categories we are supporting at present (in decreasing order of the amount awarded and averaged over the last three years) are:
• Methodism in the specified counties (21%)
• Medical and disablement (17%)
• The disadvantaged (17%)
• Youth and children (12%)
• Other churches (10%)
• Community projects (10%)
• The environment (6%)
• Other (7%)
What is not funded
• No grants to individuals unless supported by a registered charity.
• Large projects (over £500,000 and/or with more than £250,000 still to raise).
• General appeals by national charities.
• Grants are not normally given for running expenses of a charity.
Typical grants awarded
We usually make one-off grants for a specific project or part of project. A grant will not normally be paid until all the other funds needed for the project have been raised and the project started (eg - building contract signed). We tend not to come in at the early stages of fund-raising, as it ties up funds for too long between the award and the payment criteria being met.
• Usual range of grants - £100 - £2,000
• Typical grants - £500 or £1,000