Dartmouth United Charities

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Up to £100,000 (grants to individuals and organisations)
• Total Income: £510,739 (year ending April 2025)
• Grant Range: Small grants (amounts not specified; assessed case-by-case)
• Geographic Focus: Parish of Dartmouth, Devon only
• Decision Time: Individuals - within days if complete; Organisations - twice yearly
• Application Method: Application forms via website

Contact Details

• Website: www.dartmouthunitedcharities.org.uk
• Email: info@dartmouthunitedcharities.org.uk
• Phone: 01803 835006
• Address: 38 Victoria Road, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 9SA

Staff are available to assist with application queries.

Overview

Dartmouth United Charities is a local charity with roots dating back to the 1500s, when it existed as numerous smaller charities and endowments to the Church. In its current form, it was established around 1909 and celebrated its 110th anniversary in December 2019. Registered with the Charity Commission since 30 April 1962 (Charity Number 203399), DUC provides two core services to the Dartmouth community: almshouse accommodation for those in financial need and small grants to individuals and organisations.

The charity owns 32 almshouses providing low-cost accommodation for local people. It distributes up to £100,000 annually in grants to individuals experiencing financial hardship and to local organisations supporting Dartmouth residents. DUC is a beneficiary of The Dartmouth Trust, receiving half of their net proceeds annually, which forms a significant portion of their income. As of April 2025, the charity holds assets totalling approximately £5.9 million, including its almshouse properties and investment portfolio. The charity is a member of The Almshouse Association.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Grants to Individuals/Households:

• Available to residents of the Parish of Dartmouth experiencing financial need, hardship or distress
• Assessed based on household circumstances
• No set grant amounts - each case assessed individually
• No application deadlines; emergency situations can be responded to within days
• Rolling applications accepted

Grants to Organisations:

• Supports organisations providing services or facilities that alleviate need, hardship and distress for Dartmouth residents
• DUC will only fund core costs directly linked to delivering grant activity
• Applications considered twice yearly (next deadlines: 9 January 2026 and 10 July 2026)
• Application forms available on website

Priority Areas

• Relief of financial need, hardship or distress
• Services supporting vulnerable residents
• Community organisations serving Dartmouth parish
• Projects benefiting local children and families
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Emergency food provision

What They Don't Fund

• Applicants outside the Parish of Dartmouth
• Organisational costs not directly linked to delivering grant activity
• General running costs unconnected to benefiting Dartmouth residents in need

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is run by 10 voluntary trustees supported by 4 staff members (3 part-time office staff and a Wellbeing Visitor). No trustees receive remuneration.

Current Trustees:

• Jill Cawley - Chair
• Betty Elaine Fleet - Trustee (since February 2012)
• Barrie French - Trustee (since September 2014)
• Matthew Simon Tremlett - Trustee (since December 2014)
• George Hardy - Trustee (since December 2017)
• Lara Osgood - Trustee (since March 2021)
• Michael Raymond Rowley - Trustee (since December 2021)
• Robin Springett - Trustee (since April 2022)
• Keith Williams - Trustee (since July 2024)
• Thomas Henry Guy - Trustee (since July 2024)

Several trustees also serve on related local charities including The Dartmouth Trust, Saint Petrox Trust Lands, and Dartmouth Museum Association, reflecting their deep community connections.

Quote from Leadership:

Chair of Trustees Jill Cawley, speaking about new eco-friendly almshouses completed in 2025: “They have been built to very high standards of comfort and economy.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individuals/Households:

1. Download the Guidance and Application Form for Individuals/Households from the website
2. Read the full guidance before completing the application
3. Submit completed form to DUC
4. Contact staff if you need assistance completing the form

For Organisations:

1. Download the Guidance and Application Form for Organisations from the website
2. Ensure your organisation provides services benefiting Dartmouth residents
3. Demonstrate how costs relate directly to grant activity delivery
4. Submit by deadline dates (considered twice yearly)

Decision Timeline

• Individuals: Applications processed within days if all information is complete
• Organisations: Considered twice yearly at trustee meetings
• All applicants notified in writing of the outcome

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Given the geographic restriction to Dartmouth Parish and specific eligibility criteria, competition is limited to local applicants only.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified. Given the charity's focus on ongoing community need, previous applicants whose circumstances remain eligible would likely be considered again.

Application Success Factors

Based on DUC's stated priorities and recent grants:

For Individuals:

• Must demonstrate residence in Dartmouth Parish
• Clear evidence of financial need, hardship or distress
• Provide all requested information to enable quick processing
• Emergency situations prioritised

For Organisations:

• Clear demonstration of how services benefit Dartmouth residents specifically
• Costs must be directly linked to delivering grant activity
• Show how project alleviates need, hardship or distress
• Local, community-focused organisations favoured

Recent Successful Organisational Grants Include:

• Citizens Advice South Hams - specialist caseworker in Dartmouth for intensive support
• Dartmouth Pre-School - educational equipment for children with learning difficulties
• St John's PTA - music therapy sessions
• Dart Sailability - pontoon-mounted hoist for disabled sailors
• Youth Genesis - weekly youth clubs and street-based outreach
• Dartmouth Caring - support services
• Dartmouth and District Foodbank - emergency food provision
• Devon Air Ambulance - local service support
• Dartmouth Indoor Pool - community facility

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only Dartmouth Parish residents and organisations serving them are eligible
• Two distinct streams: Individual grants processed quickly on rolling basis; organisational grants twice yearly
• Core costs only: For organisations, funding must directly link to delivering grant activity - no general overheads
• Community focus: The charity has deep local roots dating back to 1500s and trustees have extensive Dartmouth connections
• Relationship with Dartmouth Trust: DUC receives significant funding from this related charity, ensuring stable grant-making capacity
• Speak to staff: The charity explicitly invites applicants to contact staff for help with applications
• Evidence of need: For individuals, household circumstances are assessed; clear demonstration of hardship is essential

References

• Dartmouth United Charities - Official Website -
• Dartmouth United Charities - Grants Page -
• Dartmouth United Charities - News -
• Charity Commission Register - Charity 203399 -
• Charity Commission - Trustees List -
• Dartmouth & District Chamber of Commerce - DUC Listing -