Christian African Relief Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £135,209 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Small grants scheme (specific amounts not disclosed)
• Geographic Focus: 17 African countries including Cameroon, Eritrea, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Contact Details

Website: www.cartyorkshire.co.uk

Email: enquiries@cartyorkshire.co.uk

Phone: 01484 461800

Address: Christian African Relief Trust, PO Box 554, Huddersfield, HD1 9ZQ

Overview

Founded in 1982, the Christian African Relief Trust (CART) is an independent humanitarian agency operated entirely by unpaid volunteers for the purpose of providing individual and community development and disaster relief in Africa. Based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, the charity had an income of £136,123 and expenditure of £135,209 in the financial year ending March 2023. CART's mission is to send goods to people in Africa and sponsor self-help and developmental projects in education, medicine, agriculture, and vocational training. The charity operates on a volunteer-only basis with 5 trustees and 55 volunteers, ensuring that over 90% of private donations go directly to humanitarian services. All goods and grants are distributed regardless of faith, caste, creed, social status, ethnicity, or gender.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Scheme: 50% of CART's income is dedicated to their Small Grants scheme, which funds small-scale, sustainable self-help projects to help people gain skills and earn extra income for education, medical care, or other essential expenses. Specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed.

Container Program: CART sends a minimum of one 40-foot container per month to African destinations, filled with recycled educational, vocational, medical, and personal items distributed through partner NGOs.

Priority Areas

• Education and training: Supporting educational projects and vocational skills development
• Healthcare: Medical projects and health improvement initiatives
• Agriculture: Horticultural and agricultural development programs
• Community development: Self-help projects that build sustainable livelihoods
• Poverty relief: Direct assistance to those with the greatest need
• Disability support: Projects supporting people with disabilities
• Religious activities: Advancement of the Christian religion (though aid is distributed to all regardless of faith)

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available, though the charity focuses exclusively on projects benefiting people in Africa and operates within the constraints of their charitable objectives.

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Governance and Leadership

CART is governed by a board of 5 trustees who, along with the Management Committee, control the work, management, and administration of the charity on behalf of beneficiaries. Each trustee has an active role within the charity and is supported by 55 volunteers. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, and there are no salaried staff either in the UK or overseas. All administrative costs are met directly by the trustees.

The charity's governing document is a Declaration of Trust dated 23 February 1995, as amended by Deed of Variation dated 11 November 1995, Supplemental Deed dated 6 May 2010, and further amendments on 9 June 2020 and 6 June 2020.

The trustees hold the trust fund to apply it for relief of poverty, advancement of the Christian religion, advancement of education, improvement of health, and horticultural/agricultural development for the benefit of needy persons in Africa.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

CART does not appear to have a publicly advertised application process for their Small Grants scheme. The charity works with “small scale, sustainable self-help projects with known organisations” and sends supplies “only to registered charities or organizations that faithfully oversee the distribution of donated items on the ground.”

This suggests grants are made to organizations already known to the trustees rather than through an open application process. Prospective applicants should contact CART directly via email (enquiries@cartyorkshire.co.uk) or phone (01484 461800) to inquire about potential funding opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Based on the available information about CART's approach, the following factors appear important:

Relationship-Based Funding: CART supports “small scale, sustainable self-help projects with known organisations,” indicating that existing relationships and trust are fundamental to receiving funding.

Focus on Sustainability: Projects must be described as “sustainable self-help projects,” suggesting CART prioritizes initiatives that build long-term capacity rather than creating dependency.

Accountability and Feedback: “The Trustees demand feedback on how your donations have been distributed,” indicating that strong reporting mechanisms and accountability are essential.

Proven Track Record: The charity sends supplies only to organizations “of proven ability and trust” with “local organisers” who can faithfully oversee distribution to those with the greatest need.

Focus on Skill-Building: CART funds projects that “help people gain skills and earn extra income to pay for education, medical or other expenses,” suggesting skills development and income generation are valued outcomes.

Universal Access: While CART advances the Christian religion as one of its objectives, all assistance is provided “regardless of faith, religion, social status, ethnicity or gender,” demonstrating commitment to need-based allocation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Build a relationship first: CART works with “known organisations,” so establishing trust with the trustees before seeking funding is likely essential
• Emphasize sustainability: Projects should demonstrate long-term impact and self-help principles rather than ongoing dependency
• Focus on skills and livelihoods: Proposals should show how beneficiaries will gain skills and earning capacity
• Demonstrate accountability: Be prepared to provide detailed feedback on how funds are used and distributed
• Target priority sectors: Education, medicine, agriculture, and vocational training are the stated focus areas
• Small-scale approach: CART specializes in small grants for focused projects rather than large-scale initiatives
• Contact directly: With no public application process, reaching out via email or phone is the necessary first step

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities, “Christian African Relief Trust - 803686,”, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=803686&subid=0
• Charity Commission, “Christian African Relief Trust - What, Who, How, Where,”, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/803686/what-who-how-where
• CART Yorkshire official website, www.cartyorkshire.co.uk
• Financial data from Charity Commission accounts for year ending 31 March 2023
• Fundraiso charity profile, “Christian African Relief Trust,”, https://www.fundraiso.com/en/organisations/christian-african-relief-trust
• Stewardship Partners page, “Christian African Relief Trust,”, https://www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/CART