Cantiacorum Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £111,473 (year ending March 2024)
• Total Grants to Date: £650,000+ over 13 years
• Geographic Focus: County of Kent and Medway only
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (April, July, October)
• Application Method: Postal application form
• Charity Number: 1141661

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 1255, Lincoln, LN5 5PP

Phone: 07359 397378

Email: contact@cantiacorumfoundation.org.uk

Website: www.cantiacorumfoundation.org.uk

Overview

The Cantiacorum Foundation was founded on 1 April 2011 by the late Donald Beerling M.B.E. and Mrs Poppy Beerling to provide charitable funding for individuals and communities in the historic County of Kent and Medway. For many years, Donald and Poppy owned The Dominican Priory in Canterbury's St Peter's Lane, which they ran as a free-to-use community centre. Following Donald's death in 2013, The Priory was transferred to the Foundation and later leased to The King's School, now known as The Beerling Hall. Over 13 years of operation, the Foundation has awarded grants exceeding £650,000 to more than 60 charities. With an annual expenditure of £111,473 (year ending March 2024) and total income of £154,786 (year ending March 2025), the Foundation continues to support a wide range of charitable causes across Kent and Medway through its six-member board of trustees who serve without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single grant program open to both individuals and registered charities in Kent and Medway. Applications are considered at quarterly trustees meetings held in April, July, and October. While specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, the Foundation's average annual expenditure and number of recipients suggest grants vary in size to accommodate different needs and projects.

Priority Areas

The Cantiacorum Foundation has supported a diverse range of causes including:

• Healthcare and Medical Support: Hospice care, aids and equipment for those with Multiple Sclerosis and Osteoporosis
• Children and Young People: Support for disabled children, respite breaks for disabled and disadvantaged children and adults
• Community Activities: Community choirs and other community-based initiatives
• General Charitable Purposes: The Foundation aims to help as many different charities and individuals as possible

The trustees work to ensure that the widest possible range of causes are supported and welcome applications from organisations new to the Foundation as well as those who have previously benefited from grants.

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation operates only within the County of Kent and Medway. Organizations or individuals outside this geographic area are not eligible for funding.

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Governance and Leadership

The Cantiacorum Foundation is governed by six trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Foundation operates with no paid employees.

Chair: Alison (surname not disclosed in public records), who is also the daughter of founders Donald and Poppy Beerling. As a Solicitor, Alison brings legal expertise and understanding of regulatory requirements to her role as Chair, with overall responsibility for management of the charity.

The Foundation was established by the late Donald Beerling M.B.E. and Mrs Poppy Beerling, who dedicated many years to community service in Canterbury through their ownership and operation of The Dominican Priory as a free community centre.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by post using the Foundation's PDF application form. The process is:

1. Download and print the PDF application form from www.cantiacorumfoundation.org.uk/applications
2. Complete the form thoroughly
3. Post the completed application to: Cantiacorum Foundation, PO Box 1255, Lincoln LN5 5PP

The Foundation does not accept online or email applications - all submissions must be made by post.

Decision Timeline

The Foundation operates on a quarterly meeting schedule:

• Trustees Meetings: Held in April, July, and October each year
• Review Process: Applications are considered at the next trustees meeting following receipt
• Timeline: Depending on when you submit, the decision timeline could range from a few weeks to approximately three months

Applicants should plan their submissions based on the quarterly meeting schedule to align with their funding needs.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation has supported more than 60 different charities over 13 years with grants exceeding £650,000, suggesting a consistent pattern of grant-making across diverse organizations.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation explicitly welcomes applications from organisations that have previously benefited from grants, indicating a positive approach to reapplication. There is no stated waiting period mentioned in public materials, though unsuccessful applicants may wish to contact the Foundation directly to discuss future applications.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated approach and history:

Alignment with Geographic Focus: The Foundation operates exclusively within Kent and Medway. Applications must clearly demonstrate that the beneficiaries or activities are within this geographic area.

Diversity of Causes: The trustees explicitly state they “try to ensure that the widest possible range of causes are supported.” Applications that represent underserved areas or new types of work may be viewed favourably, particularly if the Foundation hasn't recently supported similar projects.

New Applicants Welcome: The Foundation states it “welcomes applications from organisations new to Cantiacorum Foundation,” indicating that lack of a prior relationship is not a barrier. First-time applicants should not be discouraged.

Support for Both Individuals and Charities: Unlike many grant-makers, the Foundation funds both registered charities and individuals. Individual applicants should not feel they are at a disadvantage compared to larger organizations.

Community Connection: Given the founders' history of running The Dominican Priory as a free community centre in Canterbury, the Foundation appears to value grassroots community benefit and accessibility.

Healthcare and Support Services: The Foundation has a track record of supporting hospice care, disability support, and aids for those with chronic illnesses. Organizations working in these areas can point to the Foundation's established interest.

Children and Young People: Support for disabled children and respite breaks appears frequently in the Foundation's description of past grants, suggesting this is an ongoing priority.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Post Only: This Foundation requires postal submissions - no email or online applications accepted. Build extra time into your planning for postal delivery.
• Quarterly Timing: With only three meetings per year (April, July, October), timing your application strategically is crucial. Submit well in advance of your funding deadline.
• Geographic Restriction is Absolute: Only Kent and Medway applicants are eligible. Ensure your application clearly establishes the geographic connection.
• Diversity is Valued: The trustees actively seek to support a wide range of causes. Don't assume you're too small or that your cause area is too niche.
• Previous Funding is Not a Barrier: The Foundation explicitly welcomes repeat applications from past grant recipients, indicating they value ongoing relationships.
• Modest but Consistent Funder: With annual grant-making around £100,000+ supporting 60+ organizations over 13 years, grants are likely modest in size but the Foundation is an active, reliable funder for small to medium projects.
• Individuals Can Apply: Unlike many trusts, the Foundation funds individuals as well as charities - a relatively unusual feature that individual applicants should recognize as an opportunity.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Kent County Council
• The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation
• The Edward Gostling Foundation
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• Bernard Sunley Foundation
• Kent Community Foundation
• The Barratt Developments PLC Charitable Foundation
• THE HDH WILLS 1965 CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust
• The Charities Aid Foundation
• The Percy Bilton Charity
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• The Finnis Scott Foundation
• THE ANTON JURGENS CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE SIR JAMES ROLL CHARITABLE TRUST
• DOUGLAS ARTER FOUNDATION
• CHARLOTTE MARSHALL CHARITABLE TRUST
• HELP FUND
• National Lottery

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities. “Cantiacorum Foundation - Charity 1141661.”. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5017829
• Cantiacorum Foundation official website. “About Us.”. www.cantiacorumfoundation.org.uk/about-us
• Cantiacorum Foundation official website. “Applications.”. www.cantiacorumfoundation.org.uk/applications
• Cantiacorum Foundation official website. “Contact.”. www.cantiacorumfoundation.org.uk/contact
• Giving is Great. “Cantiacorum Foundation Charity Factsheet.”. https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1141661
• King's School Canterbury Archives. “Blackfriars.” Information about The Dominican Priory and The Beerling Hall.. http://www.kings-archives.co.uk/kings-school-tour/blackfriars-and-radigunds/blackfriars/