C B And H H Taylor 1984 Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £565,180 (charitable activities, 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed twice yearly (May and November meetings)
• Grant Range: £500 - £2,000
• Geographic Focus: Birmingham & West Midlands, Quaker organizations (UK-wide), Overseas (Africa & Indian subcontinent)

Contact Details

Website: www.cbandhhtaylortrust.com

Email: admin@cbandhhtaylortrust.com

Phone: 07934 338005

Address: PO Box 282, Aberystwyth, SY23 9BZ

Charity Number: 291363

Note: The trust is transitioning to paperless operations. All reports and correspondence should be sent to the email address above. Applications are only accepted via the online form on their website.

Overview

Established in 1964 by Christopher and Hannah Taylor following Christopher's retirement from Cadbury Schweppes, the C B and H H Taylor 1984 Trust was formally registered as a charity in 1985. With total assets exceeding £14.8 million and annual charitable expenditure of approximately £565,000 (2024), the trust represents a significant legacy of Quaker philanthropy rooted in the Cadbury family tradition. The trust operates as an endowment charity, funding its grants entirely through investment income. Both founders came from Quaker families, and their membership of the Religious Society of Friends continues to inform the trust's charitable giving, with Quaker work receiving a substantial proportion of allocated funds. Since Hannah's death in 1999, the trust has been managed by their five children and descendants as trustees, maintaining the founders' commitment to supporting small, locally-led initiatives addressing specific community needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates four primary funding streams with biannual application rounds:

1. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

£500 - £2,000 per grant

Projects with defined links to Quaker work or supported by Quaker Meetings in Britain are considered regardless of location. This reflects the founders' lifelong commitment to the Religious Society of Friends and receives substantial funding priority.

2. Birmingham & West Midlands County

£500 - £2,000 per grant

Supports charitable organizations in Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Walsall. Priority given to small, locally-run charities and specific local projects of national charities where no local alternative exists.

3. Overseas Development

£500 - £2,000 per grant

Focus on UK-registered charities working in Africa and the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka). Strong preference for organizations with annual income under £500,000; will not fund charities with income exceeding £1 million. Particular interest in social, ecological, and agricultural initiatives.

4. Additional Areas

Humanitarian emergency aid is always considered. Discretionary grants may be made to charities known to individual trustees.

Application Method: Online only via website (rolling basis with biannual deadlines)

Priority Areas

West Midlands Focus:

• Social welfare for children and young people
• Support for older people
• Disability services
• Homelessness initiatives
• Hospice and bereavement services
• Education, literacy, and employment training
• Penal affairs (offender support and reintegration)

Overseas Focus:

• Social development initiatives
• Ecological and environmental projects
• Agricultural development
• Community-led development programs

Key Principles:

• Specific projects preferred over general operating costs
• Small, locally-run and locally-led organizations prioritized
• Schemes solving local problems and improving community quality of life
• Clear, defined objectives with measurable outcomes

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals - The trust only considers applications from registered charitable organizations
• Non-UK registered charities - Must be registered with UK Charity Commission or legally exempt from registration
• General operating expenses - Unlikely to receive support; specific projects strongly preferred
• Large organizations - For overseas work, charities with income over £1 million are excluded
• Recent applicants - Will not consider resubmitted applications within two years of a previous grant decision (whether successful or unsuccessful)

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by nine trustees, all descendants of founders Christopher and Hannah Taylor:

• CM Penny
• EJ Birmingham
• CH Norton
• TW Penny
• RJ Birmingham
• SB Taylor
• CM Middleton
• HM Pattison
• L Taylor

The trust operates with no paid staff, and trustees receive no remuneration, ensuring 100% of charitable expenditure goes directly to grant-making activities. This volunteer governance structure reflects the Quaker principles of simplicity and service that guided the founders.

Founders' Legacy:

Christopher Taylor (1903-1987) studied Economics at Birmingham University and worked in sales at Cadbury's Bournville factory. His experience as a Conscientious Objector in WWII profoundly shaped his charitable priorities. He served with the Friends Relief Service in India (1943) for 18 months, distributing food and medical aid during the Bengal famine and cholera epidemic. He later served as Honorary Treasurer of Friends Service Council for over 30 years and was a trustee of Bournville Village Trust and COPEC housing association.

Hannah Taylor (1905-1999), eldest daughter of William Cadbury and granddaughter of Richard Cadbury, was an accomplished artist and botanist with particular interest in Madagascar. She was a lifelong supporter of Girl Guiding, especially for disabled children. After Christopher's death, Hannah assumed leadership of the trust until her own death in 1999.

The trust's website states: “Both came from Quaker families and their membership of the Religious Society of Friends informed their lives and hence their charitable giving.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online form only via www.cbandhhtaylortrust.com

Important: The trust does NOT accept applications via email or post. All applications must be submitted through the website form.

Before Applying:

• Review the Grant Giving Policy thoroughly
• Verify your charity is registered with the UK Charity Commission
• Ensure your project aligns with one of the four funding streams
• Check you have not applied within the previous two years
• Prepare a concise, clear application focusing on specific project outcomes

Application Requirements:

• Specify which funding stream you are applying to
• Identify the geographic location of your work
• Provide clear, defined project objectives
• For previous grant recipients: include brief project summary and outcomes assessment

Decision Timeline

Trustee Meetings: Trustees convene twice yearly

• May meeting: Applications must be submitted by mid-April
• November meeting: Applications must be submitted by mid-September

Applications received after these cutoff dates will be considered at the following meeting, potentially delaying decisions by six months.

Notification: Specific timeline for notification after trustee meetings is not publicly disclosed, but applicants should expect to hear within several weeks of the meeting date.

Post-Award Requirements:

• Written acknowledgment of donation required from successful recipients
• Progress report requested within 9-12 months (electronic format preferred to admin@cbandhhtaylortrust.com)

Success Rates

The trust does not publicly disclose application statistics, success rates, or the number of grants awarded annually. However, with annual charitable expenditure of approximately £565,000 and typical grants ranging from £500-£2,000, the trust likely awards between 280-1,130 grants per year across all four funding streams.

Reapplication Policy

Two-Year Restriction: The trust will NOT consider applications from organizations that have applied within the previous two years, regardless of whether the previous application was successful or unsuccessful.

This policy applies to all funding streams and is strictly enforced. Organizations should plan their applications strategically and ensure they submit the strongest possible case, as they will not have another opportunity for at least two years.

Application Success Factors

1. Conciseness is Critical

The trust's Grant Giving Policy explicitly states: “Concise submissions are essential—clarity and brevity matter.” Keep applications focused and to the point. Avoid lengthy narratives; instead, provide clear, specific information about project objectives, outcomes, and budget.

2. Demonstrate Local Leadership and Scale

The trust prioritizes “small charities which are locally run and led or specific local projects of national charities.” Emphasize:

• Local governance and decision-making
• Community involvement in project design and delivery
• Your organization's deep understanding of local needs
• How your small scale enables responsive, targeted support

3. Focus on Specific Projects, Not General Costs

Trustees “are particularly interested in funding specific projects, rather than general running costs.” Your application should:

• Define a clear, time-bound project with measurable outcomes
• Show how the grant will fund specific activities or purchases
• Explain what will be different as a result of the project
• Avoid requesting funds for general operational expenses

4. Align with Quaker Values (Where Relevant)

For organizations with Quaker connections, explicitly highlight:

• Links to Quaker Meetings or Friends' organizations
• Alignment with Quaker testimonies (peace, equality, simplicity, truth, sustainability)
• How your work reflects the trust's founders' commitment to social justice and service

5. Show Measurable Community Impact

Trustees want to support “schemes intending to solve local problems and improve the quality of life within communities.” Demonstrate:

• Clear evidence of community need
• How your project addresses this specific need
• Expected outcomes and how you will measure success
• Sustainability beyond the grant period

6. For Overseas Work: Emphasize Partnership and Scale

If applying for overseas funding:

• Confirm your annual income is under £500,000 (ideally lower)
• Highlight partnerships with local organizations in Africa or the Indian subcontinent
• Emphasize social, ecological, or agricultural development components
• Show how UK-based oversight ensures effective delivery

7. Learn from the Founders' Example

Christopher Taylor's work with Friends Relief Service during the Bengal famine exemplified practical, hands-on aid addressing immediate humanitarian needs. Projects that demonstrate similar directness—meeting urgent needs with practical solutions—resonate with the trust's values.

Example of Successful Recipient: Woodlands Adventure outdoor activity centre received grants for building construction projects and facility installations, demonstrating the trust's support for capital projects with clear community benefit.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Plan for the two-year restriction: You only get one chance every two years, so make your application as strong as possible before submitting. There are no second chances.

1. Timing is everything: Submit well before mid-April (for May decisions) or mid-September (for November decisions). Late applications wait another six months.

1. Small and specific wins: Grants typically range £500-£2,000 for defined projects. This is ideal for discrete equipment purchases, specific program costs, or time-limited initiatives—not core funding.

1. Geographic precision matters: Clearly identify which funding stream you qualify for (Quaker/West Midlands/Overseas/Discretionary) and ensure your work genuinely fits the geographic criteria.

1. Brevity demonstrates respect: Concise, clear applications show you understand the trustees' time is valuable and you can communicate effectively—both important to small, volunteer-led organizations.

1. Previous recipients must report: If you've received funding before, include outcomes from the previous grant. This demonstrates accountability and helps build trust with the trustees.

1. Family trust, family values: This is a personal family legacy, not an institutional foundation. Applications that connect with Quaker values of simplicity, community service, and practical action addressing real needs are more likely to resonate.

References

• C B and H H Taylor 1984 Trust official website: www.cbandhhtaylortrust.com
• Grant Giving Policy: http://www.cbandhhtaylortrust.com/grantgivingpolicy
• Grant Programmes: http://www.cbandhhtaylortrust.com/grant-programmes
• About the Trust: http://www.cbandhhtaylortrust.com/about
• UK Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=291363
• Financial information from Charity Commission filing for year ending April 5, 2024