Chalke Valley History Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £28,600 (charitable activities expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-3 months (applications reviewed twice yearly)
• Grant Range: £300 - £2,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide with emphasis on schools and local history groups

Contact Details

• Website: www.chalkevalleyhistorytrust.org.uk
• Email: CVHTgrantapplications@cvhf.org.uk
• Phone: 01722 781133
• Registered Charity Number: 1148413
• Registered Office: Alexandra House, St Johns Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2SB

Overview

The Chalke Valley History Trust was established in May 2012 by the founders of the Chalke History Festival and received charitable status in August 2012. The Trust operates as the charitable arm of the UK's largest history festival, with all festival proceeds supporting its grant-making activities. With total income of £1.4 million (primarily from its festival subsidiary) and charitable expenditure of £28,600, the Trust has raised over £200,000 for history-related causes since its inception. The organization is supported by 9 trustees, 18 employees, and 150 volunteers. The Trust's mission is to promote the understanding and enjoyment of history to people of all ages across the UK, with particular emphasis on young people and educational initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme: £300 - £2,000

• Rolling application process with two annual deadlines (31st March and 30th September)
• Applications reviewed twice yearly and considered on merit
• Email applications to CVHTgrantapplications@cvhf.org.uk

Priority Areas

Education-Focused Grants:

• Teaching history in primary and secondary schools
• School trips to historical sites, festivals, and battlefields
• Setting up school history clubs
• Resourcing school history libraries
• Post-graduate study in history-related subjects

Community History Projects:

• Activities of local history groups and societies
• Public history education initiatives
• Archaeological projects with educational outreach
• History-themed community events

Specific Examples of Funded Projects:

• £500 grant to Shapwick School (specialist school in Taunton) for trips to Fort Nelson and the Army Museum of Flying, plus community history talks and a 'Worst Jobs in History' themed day
• £2,500 grant for the “Champions of the Past” archaeological project conducting 200 new digs with LiDAR survey, training 200 people in archaeological skills, and outreach to 4,000 schoolchildren
• Multiple grants for battlefield trips to Northern France for young people studying World Wars

What They Don't Fund

• Long-term or repeat funding (stated explicitly: “it is unlikely that the Trust will be able to provide long-term or repeat funding”)
• Projects outside history education and heritage
• Projects that do not align with promoting understanding and enjoyment of history

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Trust is governed by a board that includes prominent historians:

• Tom Holland - Classicist, historian and author
• Peter Bell
• Penelope Marland
• Stephen Whitmore

No trustees receive remuneration from the charity.

Festival Leadership

• James Holland - Creative Director and Co-Founder of Chalke History Festival, historian and the original visionary behind the festival, which launched in June 2011 as a fundraiser for the local cricket club

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Full details of funding request and expected outcomes
• Other funding sources (both proposed and confirmed)
• Clear explanation of why funding is needed
• How the project meets the Trust's aims
• Full contact details
• CV (if applicable)
• For post-graduate applicants: research topic, university, and supervisor details

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadlines: 31st March and 30th September (twice yearly)
• Review Period: Applications considered at bi-annual review meetings
• Typical Decision Time: 8-12 weeks from deadline
• Notification: By email

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The Trust states that “applications are considered on their merits and in accordance with the grant-making policy of the Trust.”

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Given that funds are limited and the Trust explicitly states it is “unlikely to provide long-term or repeat funding,” applicants should ensure their first application is strong and comprehensive.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

1. Clear Educational Impact: Projects must demonstrate how they will promote understanding and enjoyment of history, particularly to young people
2. Specific Outcomes: Applications should detail expected outcomes and measurable impact
3. Realistic Budgeting: Grants typically range £300-£2,000, so projects should be appropriately scaled
4. Multiple Funding Sources: The Trust wants to see evidence of other funding (both secured and applied for)
5. Direct History Focus: Projects must be explicitly history-related - the Trust has a narrow charitable focus

Types of Successful Projects

Based on funded examples:

• School trips combining multiple historical sites (e.g., museums, battlefields, heritage sites)
• Projects combining education with hands-on activities (archaeological digs, themed history days)
• Initiatives with broad reach (e.g., projects reaching thousands of schoolchildren)
• Battlefield trips focusing on World Wars
• Community-based history education programs

Application Tips

• Be Specific: Clearly articulate what the grant will fund and what outcomes will be achieved
• Show Leverage: Demonstrate how the Trust's funding will unlock other resources or enable larger impact
• Connect to Mission: Explicitly explain how your project promotes “understanding and enjoyment of history”
• Consider Scale: Smaller, well-designed projects may be more competitive than ambitious ones requiring maximum funding
• Timing: Submit well before deadlines to ensure all required information is included

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small Grant Specialist: With grants of £300-£2,000, this funder is ideal for modest, focused projects rather than large-scale initiatives
• Education-First: Strong emphasis on school-based projects and young people - if your project involves schools or youth education, this is an excellent match
• Limited Funds: The Trust is explicit that funds are limited and repeat funding unlikely - make your first application count
• Twice-Yearly Opportunities: With only two deadlines per year, timing is crucial - plan ahead for the March 31 or September 30 deadlines
• History-Only Focus: The Trust has a narrow charitable remit focused exclusively on history - projects in related fields (archaeology, heritage conservation) must clearly connect to history education
• Festival Connection: Understanding the Chalke History Festival's mission and approach may help frame applications - the Trust values making history accessible and engaging
• Clear Outcomes Required: Applications must demonstrate specific, measurable outcomes and explain why funding is needed

References

• Chalke Valley History Trust official website: www.chalkevalleyhistorytrust.org.uk
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1148413
• Chalke History Festival website: https://www.chalkefestival.com/chalke-history-trust/
• 360Giving GrantNav - Chalke Valley History Trust: https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-1148413
• Charity Commission financial data for year ending 30 November 2023
• “James Holland: A Letter from the Creative Director,” History Hub Chalke History Festival: https://history-hub.chalkefestival.com/