Consolidated Charity of Burton upon Trent

Quick Stats

• Total Assets: Over £10 million
• Annual Giving: Approximately £57,000-£70,000 (based on recent awards)
• Decision Time: 2-4 months (twice yearly decisions)
• Grant Range: £1,500 - £34,000+ (organisation grants)
• Geographic Focus: Burton upon Trent and neighbouring parishes (East Staffordshire)

Contact Details

Website: www.consolidatedcharityburton.org.uk

Email: clerk@consolidatedcharityburton.org.uk

Phone: 01283 527067

Address: C/O DAINS LLP, 1st Floor, Gibraltar House, Crown Square, First Avenue, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 2WE

Clerk to the Trustees: John Southwell

Chairman: Ben Robinson

Overview

The Consolidated Charity of Burton upon Trent is an historic endowed charity with origins dating to the 16th century following Burton Abbey's dissolution, with documented records beginning in 1709. The charity holds over £10 million in assets accumulated through property ownership, bequests, and financial gifts over centuries. The organisation pursues two primary objectives: providing almshouse accommodation for poor residents within its area of benefit, and advancing charitable purposes benefiting local inhabitants through grant-making. The charity serves Burton upon Trent's former County Borough boundaries (as of March 31, 1974), including neighbouring parishes. Governed by 19 volunteer trustees (14 co-opted members and 5 nominated by East Staffordshire Borough Council), the charity awards approximately £57,000-£70,000 annually to individuals and organisations. Recent strategic focus has included responding to cost-of-living pressures affecting community organisations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Bursaries (Undergraduate Students)

• Amount: £550 annually for 3 years
• Application method: Annual deadline (typically March)
• Eligibility: Undergraduate students from six specified schools/colleges (Abbot Beyne, Burton & South Derbyshire College, De Ferrers Academy, John Taylor, Paget, Paulet)
• Maximum 40 bursaries awarded yearly

Education Grants

• Amount: Up to £300 per year
• Application method: Online application form, rolling basis
• Repeat applications: Allowed in subsequent years
• Exclusions: Travel expenses not considered
• Coverage: Further education, vocational training, personal development opportunities, sports activities, arts scholarships

Relief in Need Grants

• Amount: Varies by need (typically £300-£1,500)
• Application method: Online form with professional supporting letter required
• Coverage: Essential items including white goods, furniture, bedding, mobility aids, school uniforms
• Important restriction: Does not award grants to clear debt

Organisation Grants

• Amount: £1,500 - £34,000+ (varies by project)
• Application method: Fixed deadlines (February and August)
• Decision timing: Main Committee meetings in March and September
• Note: Proportionate funding available for organisations serving the area indirectly

Priority Areas

For Individuals:

• Essential household items for those in financial hardship
• Educational advancement and vocational training
• Personal development opportunities
• Sports participation and development
• Arts scholarships and cultural activities

For Organisations:

• Community support services (foodbanks, support centres)
• Sports clubs and facilities improvements
• Youth organisations (Scouts, community groups)
• Healthcare and wellbeing services
• Arts and cultural organisations
• Faith-based community projects
• Facility improvements and equipment purchases

What They Don't Fund

• Debt clearance
• Travel expenses for education grants
• Applications from outside the defined geographic area of benefit

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Governance and Leadership

Governance Structure: 19 trustees comprising 14 co-opted members and 5 nominated by East Staffordshire Borough Council. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Key Personnel:

• Ben Robinson, Chairman: Honorary Chairman of Burton Albion football club and MBE recipient, Robinson has emphasised the charity's responsiveness to community needs. He stated: "The Covid-19 pandemic has added financial pressures on many organisations...the charity's support is more important than ever“ and ”The pressures on a lot of important organisations in Burton are continuing and we know the support we offered was vital."
• John Southwell, Clerk to the Trustees: Manages day-to-day operations and application processing

Trustee Recognition: Beryl Toon served as trustee for 12 years on almshouses, education sub-committees, and main committee. Chairman Ben Robinson noted: "Beryl has been an active and dedicated trustee who had played an important part in the charity's work for a long time."

How to Apply to Consolidated Charity Of Burton Upon Trent

How to Apply

Individual Relief in Need Grants:

• Complete online application form at consolidatedcharityburton.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant
• Must include supporting letter from qualified professional (social worker, councillor, probation officer, tenancy support worker, health visitor) on headed paper
• Supporting letter must detail reason for assistance and clearly state items needed
• Supporting documents can be uploaded or emailed to admin@consolidatedcharityburton.org.uk
• PDF forms available as alternative to online submission

Education Grants and Bursaries:

• Online application forms available
• Bursary deadline typically in March
• Education grants processed on rolling basis

Organisation Grants:

• Online application form or downloadable PDF
• Fixed deadlines: Mid-February for March meeting consideration, late August for September meeting consideration
• Applications considered at Main Committee meetings held twice yearly

Decision Timeline

Organisation Grants: 2-4 months from deadline

• February deadline → March committee meeting decision
• August deadline → September committee meeting decision

Individual Grants: Typically faster processing on rolling basis (specific timeline not publicly stated)

Notification: Successful applicants contacted directly; method of notification not specified

Success Rates

Success rate data not publicly available. The charity awarded £57,000 across nine organisations in one recent round, suggesting selective but meaningful funding for successful applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Education Grants: Explicitly allows repeat applications in subsequent years for up to £300 annually

Other Grant Types: Reapplication policy not publicly stated; contact clerk's office for guidance

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors:

For Individuals:

• Professional support is mandatory for relief in need applications - ensure supporting letter is detailed, on headed paper, and clearly itemises needs
• Focus on essential items rather than wants
• Demonstrate genuine financial hardship
• Ensure you fall within the geographic area of benefit

For Organisations:

• Demonstrate clear community benefit within Burton upon Trent and neighbouring parishes
• Submit applications well before deadline dates
• Projects responding to identified community needs (e.g., cost-of-living crisis, COVID-19 recovery) align with recent priorities
• Capital projects and equipment purchases are funded
• Operating costs for community services considered (foodbank support, community centres)
• Show how project serves residents within the charity's area of benefit

Recent Funded Projects (Examples):

• Burton YMCA: £34,647 for foodbank support (cost-of-living response)
• Nine organisations received grants totalling £57,000 in one recent funding round

Language and Terminology:

The charity uses traditional charitable language focused on “relief of need,” “benefit to inhabitants,” and “community service.” Applications should emphasise tangible community impact and clear benefit to residents within the area.

Strategic Alignment:

Chairman Ben Robinson's statements highlight responsiveness to current challenges (COVID-19, cost-of-living crisis). Applications addressing contemporary pressures on communities while serving established charitable purposes may receive favourable consideration.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable: Ensure your organisation or individual applicant is within Burton upon Trent or the specified neighbouring parishes before applying
• Timing matters for organisations: Plan ahead for February or August deadlines to be considered at March or September meetings respectively
• Individual applications need professional backing: Relief in need grants require detailed supporting letters from qualified professionals - invest time in securing strong advocacy
• Demonstrate community impact clearly: The charity favours projects with tangible benefits to local residents, particularly those addressing current community challenges
• Capital and equipment projects welcomed: Recent awards show support for facility improvements, equipment purchases, and infrastructure
• Build relationships before applying: With 19 volunteer trustees and long-standing community connections, the charity knows the local landscape - established community presence helps
• Don't overlook smaller amounts: While large grants (£10,000+) are awarded, many successful applications receive £1,500-£5,000, making diverse projects viable
• Debt clearance is explicitly excluded: Frame relief in need applications around essential items and equipment, not debt repayment

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Baron Davenport's Charity
• William Adlington Cadbury Charitable Trust
• Community Foundation For Staffordshire And Shropshire
• Sebright's Educational Foundation
• John Martin's Charity
• The Clive Richards Foundation
• Huntingdon Freemen's Trust
• The Norton Foundation
• The Noel Sweeney Foundation
• The Ewelme Exhibition Foundation

References

• Consolidated Charity of Burton upon Trent official website: https://consolidatedcharityburton.org.uk/
• Apply for a Grant page: https://consolidatedcharityburton.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant
• About page: https://consolidatedcharityburton.org.uk/about
• Grants of £57,000 announcement: https://consolidatedcharityburton.org.uk/news/grants-of-57000
• Trustee Resignation announcement: https://consolidatedcharityburton.org.uk/news/trustee-resignation
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=239072
• Turn2us Grants Search profile: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/consolidated-charity-of-burton-upon-trent-12488
• Staffordshire Live article: “Consolidated Charity of Burton looking to help more East Staffordshire organisations struggling with the funding crisis”
• Burton Albion FC: "EFL Clears Sale of Ben Robinson's Majority Ownership to Nordic Football Group" https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/2024/june/0306-sale/