Church Burgesses Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £2,105,632 (2023)
• Annual Income: £1,963,551 (from investments)
• Decision Time: Quarterly (typically notified shortly after meetings)
• Grant Range: £500 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: Sheffield only (City of Sheffield boundary)
• Number of Trustees: 11

Contact Details

Website: www.sheffieldchurchburgesses.org.uk

Email: ian.potter@wrigleys.co.uk (or sheffieldchurchburgesses@wrigleys.co.uk)

Phone: 0114 267 5588

Postal Address:

Mr Ian Potter, The Law Clerk

Sheffield Church Burgesses Trust

c/o Wrigleys Solicitors

Derwent House

150 Arundel Gate

Sheffield S1 2FN

Overview

The Church Burgesses Trust was founded by Queen Mary in Tudor times through a Royal Charter granted on 8 June 1554, making it one of Sheffield's oldest charities with over 450 years of quiet service to the city. The Trust holds substantial assets generating annual investment income of approximately £2 million, which it distributes through three distinct grant-making committees. The Charter originally appointed “Twelve Capital Burgesses and Commonality of the Town and Parish of Sheffield” as trustees, specifying they must be “discreet, reputable and honest” inhabitants of Sheffield. In 2003, the Charter was amended to allow appointment of women trustees, with the first appointed in 2006. The Trust's mission is to support general charitable purposes for the benefit of Sheffield's people and to support the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in Sheffield. No trustees receive remuneration from the charity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates through three separate committees:

1. General Charitable Purposes Committee

• Grant Range: £500 - £10,000
• Application Method: Quarterly deadlines (rolling applications reviewed four times per year)
• Description: Supports charities and groups working within Sheffield city boundary

2. Ecclesiastical Grants Committee

• Grant Range: Up to substantial amounts (largest ever grant to a parish church was for a major project)
• Application Method: Quarterly deadlines
• Eligibility: Only Anglican churches in Sheffield's four deaneries (Attercliffe, Ecclesall, Ecclesfield, and Hallam) - excludes Sheffield Cathedral
• Description: Supports any activity furthering Church of England objectives, including clergy development (training courses, retreats, sabbaticals)

3. Church Burgesses Educational Foundation (Separate charity registration 529357)

• Grant Range: £500 - £10,000
• Application Method: Quarterly deadlines
• Description: Promotes education for those under 25 resident in Sheffield (or whose parents are resident)

Priority Areas

General Charitable Purposes:

• Relief for those who are aged, ailing, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged
• Relief of distress and sickness
• Provision and support of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation
• Provision and support of educational facilities

Ecclesiastical Grants:

• Church building projects and repairs
• Internal reordering and refurbishment
• Training and development for ordained clergy in Sheffield deaneries
• Mission and ministry activities
• Sports chaplaincy across Sheffield venues

Educational Foundation:

• Gap year trips
• Sporting and musical tuition
• Education below tertiary level
• School projects and church-based youth work
• Educational organisations supporting young people under 25

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals under the General Charitable Purposes heading (though individuals under 25 may apply to the Educational Foundation)
• Projects outside Sheffield city boundary
• Sheffield Cathedral (under Ecclesiastical grants)
• Non-Anglican churches (under Ecclesiastical grants)
• Those over 25 years of age (under Educational Foundation)
• Educational students whose only connection to Sheffield is residence for study purposes

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Governance and Leadership

Structure: The Trust is governed by 11 trustees who serve without remuneration. The term 'Capital Burgess' (since 1673) applies to the Chairman of the Trust, who traditionally holds office for one year.

Appointment: The Charter specifies that trustees must be appointed by existing trustees and be “discreet, reputable and honest” inhabitants of Sheffield.

Law Clerk: Ian Potter serves as The Law Clerk to the Trustees, handling applications and administrative matters through Wrigleys Solicitors.

Committees: The Trust operates through three main grant-making committees (General Charitable Purposes, Ecclesiastical Grants, and Educational Foundation), with sub-committees meeting between quarterly sessions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Complete the appropriate application form for the relevant committee:

• General Charitable Purposes Committee form
• Ecclesiastical Grants Committee form
• Educational Foundation form (for individuals or organisations)

Forms are available on the Trust's website at www.sheffieldchurchburgesses.org.uk

Required Information:

• Full description of the project for which the grant is needed
• Total project cost
• Evidence of competitive quotations (where relevant)
• For ecclesiastical grants: details of how the project will further the mission and work of the church
• Supporting documentation

Submission: Applications must be received by the Law Clerk before the beginning of the second week of December, March, June, and September.

Decision Timeline

Review Cycle: Quarterly meetings held in December, March, June, and September

Notification: Applicants are normally notified of the outcome shortly after each quarterly meeting

Conditions: Grants normally come with some conditions, though “not onerous,” and there is typically a requirement to provide a report back to the Trust

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Contact the Law Clerk for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Elements:

1. Geographic Connection: Projects must be carried out within Sheffield city boundary and benefit local inhabitants. For individuals applying to the Educational Foundation, permanent residence in Sheffield is required (residence solely for educational purposes does not count).

1. Clear Project Description: The Trust looks for comprehensive descriptions of projects with clear objectives and costings, including competitive quotations where applicable.

1. Long-term Relationships: Several organisations have received grant support “for a number of years” or “for many years,” suggesting the Trust values ongoing relationships with effective organisations.

1. Strategic Impact: The Trust has made substantial grants for transformational projects, such as helping Age Concern Sheffield transform its City Centre shop into an Information and Activity Resource Centre, and supporting St Mary's Church with “its biggest grant ever to a parish church.”

1. Report Back: Applicants should be prepared to provide feedback reports on how grants were used and the impact achieved.

Examples of Funded Projects:

• St Luke's Hospice: Multi-year support for specialist end-of-life care
• Sheffield Dial-a-Ride: Regular support for specialist transport services for elderly and infirm residents
• Age Concern Sheffield: Grant to transform City Centre shop into comprehensive resource centre
• St Mary's Church: Largest-ever parish church grant for social enterprise development and window restoration
• St Stephen's: Substantial grants for major internal reordering completed in 2004
• Sports Chaplaincy: Support for Christian chaplain across sporting venues including English Institute of Sport and Hillsborough
• Sheffield Cathedral Music Department: Educational Foundation support for school engagement and chorister development (2023)

Language and Terminology: The Trust uses traditional charitable language focused on “relief,” “support,” and “provision.” They emphasize serving Sheffield's people with particular attention to disadvantage, distress, and community benefit.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Sheffield-only focus: Absolute requirement that projects benefit Sheffield residents or are carried out within city boundaries - this is non-negotiable
• Quarterly planning: Plan applications around the four annual deadlines (early December, March, June, September) to avoid missing review cycles
• Relationship-building: The Trust appears to value long-term partnerships, with multiple examples of multi-year support for effective organisations
• Scale matters: While grants range from £500-£10,000 typically, the Trust has made substantial exceptions for transformational projects that align strongly with their mission
• Report requirements: Be prepared to demonstrate impact through feedback reports - this appears to be standard practice
• Multiple funding streams: If your work crosses boundaries (e.g., youth education in a church setting), consider which committee is the best fit or whether multiple applications might be appropriate
• Traditional values, modern approach: Despite being over 450 years old, the Trust has modernised (e.g., allowing women trustees) while maintaining focus on core charitable purposes

References

• Financial information: Total income £1,963,551, Total expenditure £2,105,632 (year ending 31 December 2023)
• 11 trustees, no trustee remuneration

• Grant programs and application information
• Case studies of funded projects
• Historical information and committee structures

1. Charity Commission Register - Church Burgesses Educational Foundation (529357)

• Quote from Ian Potter, Clerk to the Trustees: "The Foundation was keen to support the cathedral music department's work to enrich children's lives and improve music education across the city"

• Historical information about Royal Charter of 1554
• Governance structure and trustee appointment process
• 2003 Charter amendment allowing women trustees

1. Various web searches conducted January 2025 for grant amounts, application processes, case studies, and organizational structure