Christal Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £30,000 (per funding round)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Up to 12 weeks
• Grant Range: £500 - £3,000
• Geographic Focus: Burnley, Lancashire (strictly local)

Contact Details

Website: https://lancsfoundation.org.uk/grants/christal-foundation

Application Management: Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside

• Phone: 0330 440 4900
• Email: info@cflm.email
• Address: 43 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DN

Applications are submitted through the Community Foundation for Lancashire's online portal.

Overview

The Christal Foundation was established as a permanent charitable endowment fund following the death of the founder's wife, with both founders having been born in Burnley. Managed by the Community Foundation for Lancashire (Charity Number: 1068887), the fund was created to leave a long-term legacy to the town and make a lasting difference to local people's lives. The foundation focuses on supporting grassroots community groups and charities working to improve the lives of Burnley residents. With a distinctive focus on “test and learn” initiatives, the fund particularly welcomes innovative pilot projects that may struggle to secure funding from traditional sources. The foundation operates on an endowment model, with grants made from investment returns to ensure funding in perpetuity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Main Grant Stream: £500 - £3,000 per project
• Duration: Typically one year
• Application Method: Online application through Community Foundation for Lancashire portal
• Application Schedule: Rolling basis (check website for current opening dates)

Priority Areas

The Christal Foundation actively funds:

• Seed funding for new community projects and organizations
• Test and learn initiatives - pilot projects building evidence for future scaling
• Feasibility studies to explore new community approaches
• Projects addressing gaps in current service provision in Burnley
• Operational and core costs for project development and research
• Small capital items including equipment and IT for project delivery
• Sessional costs and volunteer expenses
• Activity/operational costs for direct service delivery

Target Beneficiaries: All age groups of Burnley residents; preference given to smaller grassroots organizations

What They Don't Fund

• Statutory organizations
• Commercial ventures
• Community Interest Companies Limited by Shares
• Activities already completed
• Politically or religiously exclusive activities
• Projects for personal profit
• Animal or plant-only focused groups (without human benefit)
• Debts and liabilities
• Match funding requirements (unless from applicant's own reserves)

Geographic Restriction: Groups based outside Burnley can apply only if work takes place in Burnley or clearly demonstrates Burnley residents are the beneficiaries.

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Governance and Leadership

The Christal Foundation is administered by Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside (Charity Number: 1068887), which provides professional grant-making infrastructure.

Key Leadership

Patron: Cherie Blair CBE, KC

• Founder of Cherie Blair Foundation for Women
• Became Patron in 2007

President: Amanda Parker

• Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire since August 2023
• Lives at Browsholme Hall

Chair: David Wareing

• Senior Partner at Hill Dickinson LLP
• Appointed Chair of Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside in 2022

Senior Management Team

Rae Brooke - CEO

• Responsible for strategic development and relationship building
• Over 35 years of senior management experience

James Proctor - Programmes Director

• Manages fund distribution and impact assessment
• Oversees grant application process
• Background in law

Karen Morris - Deputy CEO and Development Director

• Leads donor engagement

Juliet Knight - Finance Director

• Qualified Chartered Accountant with 25+ years SME finance experience

The foundation benefits from a diverse board of trustees with backgrounds in law, finance, community leadership, and nonprofit management.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Complete Online Application: Submit through https://lancsfoundation.org.uk/applying-for-a-grant
2. Staff Review: Foundation staff check initial eligibility
3. Panel Review: Decision-making panel reviews qualifying applications
4. Possible Follow-up: Foundation may request additional information

Decision Timeline

• Notification: Within a maximum of 12 weeks from submission
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis when the fund is open
• Applicants are notified of outcomes by email

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation awarded approximately £30,000 to 11 organizations in one recent funding round, suggesting competitive but accessible grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not explicitly stated on their website. Applicants who have submitted information within the last 12 months may not need to resubmit all documentation, though updates may be required. Contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplication timing.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Innovation and Risk-Taking: The Christal Foundation explicitly welcomes “test and learn” initiatives. As stated in their guidance: “The fund is particularly interested in supporting test and learn initiatives – where the funding can help trial projects to build evidence for future scaling up.”

Grassroots Focus: Priority is given to smaller grassroots organizations, particularly those that may find seed funding or pilot project funding difficult to secure elsewhere.

Clear Accountability: Recipients are expected to clearly demonstrate results, including for test and learn projects, “whether the project/idea can be developed further at the end of the grant or not.”

Examples of Funded Projects

• 5 Ways Boxing CIC (£3,000): 'It's Up 2 Us Again' project supporting young people to engage in healthy eating programmes and develop key social and life skills
• Charter House Activity Centre (£1,500): Developing a gardening club for adults with learning disabilities
• Pennine Lancashire Community Farm (£3,000): 'Chop, cook and eat' sessions delivered at a new 2,000 square foot eco hut

Application Best Practices

Be Clear and Specific:

• Clearly outline project plans and goals
• Provide concrete evidence of community need
• Make budget calculations specific and justified
• Avoid jargon and acronyms

Demonstrate Local Impact:

• Show clear benefit to Burnley residents
• Provide evidence of community engagement
• Explain how project addresses gaps in current provision

About AI-Generated Applications:

The foundation has issued specific guidance: “AI-generated applications may not always give the best opportunity of success as they can sometimes be quite generic and may not capture the unique voice and strengths of your organisation.” They recommend using AI only for drafting, formatting, and spell-checking, while adding personal touches that make your organization stand out.

Consider Pre-Application Contact:

The foundation encourages organizations to reach out before formal application to discuss projects and funding requirements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Embrace innovation: The foundation actively seeks “test and learn” projects that other funders might consider too risky - don't be afraid to propose pilot initiatives
• Think small and local: Preference for grassroots Burnley organizations; ensure clear geographic benefit to Burnley residents
• Avoid match funding requirements: The donor prefers to be principal funder for seed/feasibility grants; applications requiring match funding (except from own reserves) cannot be considered
• Demonstrate willingness to evaluate: Be prepared to clearly report results, including honest assessment of whether pilot projects should continue
• Keep it authentic: Personalize applications with your organization's unique voice rather than relying on generic AI-generated content
• Focus on gaps: Emphasize projects that struggle to secure funding elsewhere or address unmet community needs
• Be realistic about timelines: Allow up to 12 weeks for decisions when planning project start dates

References

• Community Foundation for Lancashire - Christal Foundation Page. https://lancsfoundation.org.uk/grants/christal-foundation..
• Community Foundation for Lancashire - Applying for a Grant. https://lancsfoundation.org.uk/applying-for-a-grant..
• Community Foundation for Lancashire - Patrons and Trustees. https://lancsfoundation.org.uk/about-us/patrons-and-trustees..
• Community Foundation for Lancashire - Our People. https://lancsfoundation.org.uk/about-us/our-people..
• Charity Commission - Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside Contact Information. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3945466/contact-information..
• “Thousands of pounds invested into Burnley charities and community groups.” Charity Today News. https://www.charitytoday.co.uk/thousands-of-pounds-invested-into-burnley-charities-and-community-groups/..
• “Burnley charities to benefit from new grants programme.” Community Foundation for Lancashire News. https://lancsfoundation.org.uk/news/burnley-charities-to-benefit-from-new-grants-programme..