Derbyshire Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £19.5 million total (cumulative since 1996)
• Success Rate: 90%
• Decision Time: 12-16 weeks
• Grant Range: Up to £2,500
• Geographic Focus: Derby and Derbyshire
• Total Grants Made: 7,500+ grants since establishment

Contact Details

Website: www.foundationderbyshire.org

Email: hello@foundationderbyshire.org

Phone: 01773 525860

Pre-Application Support: Applicants are strongly encouraged to call or email before applying to discuss their project with the grants team.

Overview

Founded in 1996 and operating under the registered charity name Derbyshire Community Foundation (Charity No. 1039485), Foundation Derbyshire has been supporting grassroots charities and community groups for 29 years. The foundation now manages endowment funds of over £6 million and has distributed more than £19.5 million through 7,500+ grants across Derby and Derbyshire. Their mission focuses on “Enabling Giving. Putting Generosity to Work” by acting as a trusted, independent intermediary that connects donors with local causes. The foundation currently manages over 60 individually named funds, each with various charitable themes including arts, children and youth, community cohesion, education, environment, and mental health. Their approach is distinctly local and supportive, with an exceptional 90% success rate for applications. Over 50% of their grants support smaller organisations with annual incomes under £50,000, demonstrating a strong commitment to grassroots community development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Foundation Derbyshire manages over 60 different funding streams, including:

• General Fund: Up to £2,500 - Supports a broad range of small community and voluntary groups with various costs (rolling basis, online application)
• William & Griselda Kerr Fund: Up to £2,500 - Supports groups using arts or horticulture to help vulnerable people (rolling basis)
• The Ashby Fund: Up to £2,500 - Financial assistance to community and voluntary organisations in Derbyshire (rolling basis)
• The Tom Carey Fund: Up to £2,500 - Supports community activity in Derby City's Abbey ward (rolling basis)
• The Walbrook Fund: Up to £2,500 - Supports activity that helps those facing disadvantage (rolling basis)
• The John Weston Fund: Up to £2,500 - Supports young and old in the community (rolling basis)
• Freemasons of Derbyshire Provincial Grand Charity Fund: Up to £2,500 - Supports community life and tackles disadvantage (rolling basis)
• Police & Crime Commissioner Community Initiative Fund: Up to £2,500 - Builds safer, stronger communities (rolling basis)

Application Method: All funds operate on a rolling basis with no closing dates. Applications are accepted year-round through their online portal.

Grant Coverage: Grants cover a 12-month period and fund both equipment (capital) and general running costs such as rent and transport (revenue).

Priority Areas

Foundation Derbyshire supports projects that:

• Tackle disadvantage and enhance quality of life in Derbyshire
• Help smaller grassroots organisations (particularly those with income under £50,000)
• Support vulnerable people in the community
• Address mental health and well-being
• Use arts or horticulture as tools for community development
• Build safer, stronger communities
• Support young people and elderly residents
• Provide community cohesion and education initiatives

What They Don't Fund

• Profit-making organisations
• Medical equipment
• Animal charities
• Religious projects (religious activities)
• Statutory bodies (schools, hospitals, police)
• Projects that directly replace statutory obligations
• Projects benefiting people outside Derbyshire
• Political activities
• Retrospective funding (costs already incurred)
• Sponsored events
• National charities (unless from a small, self-financing local branch with a distinct Derby/Derbyshire focused project)
• Groups with an active grant or who have received a grant within the last 12 months
• Multiple applications from the same group

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Oliver Stephenson became a Trustee in 2014 and Chair after 18 months. At the time he joined, he was about to embark on a year as the county's High Sheriff.

Executive Team: The foundation is supported by a small but experienced executive team consisting of Rachael, Sarah, and Misbah, who have been the core of the Foundation for almost two decades.

The foundation prides itself on being a trusted, independent resource with deep local knowledge and relationships built over nearly three decades of operation in Derbyshire.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Pre-Application Contact: Call 01773 525860 or email hello@foundationderbyshire.org to discuss your project before applying
2. Preparation: Read “Your Journey” and “Grants Success Guide” documents on their website
3. Online Submission: Complete the online application form with required documentation
4. Decision Process: Applications are reviewed by decision-making panels

Required Documentation:

• Constitution or governing documents
• Management committee list
• Documentation showing financial controls
• Annual accounts or balance sheet
• Recent bank statements
• Management committee minutes

Key Requirements:

• Groups must show evidence of formal structure (registration as a charity not required)
• One grant per group per year
• Cannot apply if you have an active grant or received one in the last 12 months

Decision Timeline

• Application to Decision: 12-16 weeks (often quicker depending on panel meeting dates)
• Notification After Panel Meeting: Written response within 2 weeks
• Verbal Updates: Available by phone after panel meetings

Success Rates

Foundation Derbyshire has an exceptional 90% success rate for grant applications. This high success rate reflects their supportive, collaborative approach and willingness to work with applicants to strengthen applications.

Grant Distribution Focus: Over 50% of grants go to organisations with annual income less than £50,000.

Reapplication Policy

Groups can reapply once a full year has passed from their previous award date. Groups with active grants or who have received a grant within the last 12 months are not eligible to apply.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder

Foundation Derbyshire emphasizes: "Criteria sets out what the funder is trying to achieve; it's about attracting the right projects for our donors."

What Makes Applications Successful

1. Pre-Application Contact: The foundation strongly encourages applicants to contact them before applying. This personalised support helps ensure applications are well-aligned with fund criteria.

• Explain the project's origin and why it's needed
• Provide context about why the project matters to the community
• Use personal stories and real-world examples of impact
• Make the application understandable to someone unfamiliar with your work

• Break down budget items specifically (e.g., “pool table = £250” not just “equipment”)
• Show realistic costs
• Demonstrate financial need

• Research which fund best matches your project
• Align your application language with the fund's goals
• Show how your project delivers on the funder's priorities

• Provide all required governance documents
• Include recent financial statements
• Show clear financial controls

• Have someone unfamiliar with your project review the application
• Ensure it makes sense to an outside reader
• Check for clarity and completeness

Recent Grant Examples

• Bakewell and District Fund: Covered costs of running a village's weekly community hub
• High Sheriff Fund: Provided grant to purchase specialist equipment to help young people access a centre's activities
• Randal Charitable Foundation Partnership (2024): Funded ten small grassroots organisations focusing on mental health and well-being

Language and Terminology

The foundation uses accessible, supportive language and emphasizes:

• “Simple. Supportive. Local.”
• Focus on “tackling disadvantage”
• “Enhancing quality of life”
• “Grassroots” organisations
• “Community-driven” solutions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Contact them first: The foundation actively encourages pre-application discussions. Use this opportunity to get feedback and ensure alignment before submitting.

1. 90% success rate is real: With proper preparation and alignment, your chances of success are exceptionally high compared to most funders.

1. Think small and local: This funder is specifically designed for smaller grassroots groups. If your organisation has income under £50,000, you're in their sweet spot.

1. Be specific with budgets: Break down every cost item clearly and specifically. Vague budget categories weaken applications.

1. One shot per year: You can only apply once per year, so make it count. If you have multiple needs, prioritize the most urgent or impactful one.

1. Simple beats complex: The foundation values clear, straightforward explanations over jargon or overly technical language. Write for someone unfamiliar with your work.

1. Rolling basis means plan ahead: While there are no deadlines, the 12-16 week decision timeline means you should apply well before you need the funding.

References

• Foundation Derbyshire Official Website: https://foundationderbyshire.org/
• Foundation Derbyshire Grants Page: https://foundationderbyshire.org/grants/
• Foundation Derbyshire Application Guide: https://foundationderbyshire.org/apply-for-a-grant/
• Foundation Derbyshire Grants Success Guide: https://foundationderbyshire.org/grants-success-guide/
• Foundation Derbyshire Funds Archive: https://foundationderbyshire.org/funds/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1039485
• Foundation Derbyshire Who We Are: https://foundationderbyshire.org/who-we-are/
• DDCVS Local Funders Guide