Dj Sidebottom/glasdon Charitable Programme

Charity Number: CUSTOM_94A2BC57

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £231,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Up to 12 weeks
  • Grant Range: Approximately £500 - £8,750+ (based on recent awards)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide with strong Lancashire/Blackpool focus
  • Organizations Funded: 196 in 2024

Contact Details

Website: https://www.djsglasdoncharitableprogramme.org/

Email: enquiries@djsglasdoncharitableprogramme.org

Address: Glasdon House, Preston New Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 4WA

Contact Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (via email and online contact form)

Application Portal: Online application form available at https://www.djsglasdoncharitableprogramme.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant

Overview

The DJ Sidebottom/Glasdon Charitable Programme, established in 2021 (rebranded from the Glasdon Charitable Giving Committee which began in 2003), is a corporate charitable giving initiative funded by Glasdon Group Limited. Named in honour of founder and Chairman Donald J Sidebottom MBE, FCIHT, the programme distributed £231,000 to 196 organizations in 2024, contributing nearly £750,000 to communities over the past five years. The programme supports charities, community groups, and non-profit organizations through monetary donations, product gifting, and fundraising, with a strong focus on environmental protection, community development, health and life-saving research, and relief for vulnerable populations. The charitable board meets bi-monthly to assess applications and determine funding allocations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The programme operates a rolling grant application system with the following characteristics:

  • Standard Grants: Typical grants range from £500 to several thousand pounds (average approximately £1,200 based on 2024 data)
  • Employee Charity of the Year: Significant multi-location grants (e.g., £8,750 to Men's Sheds across five locations in 2024)
  • Emergency Response Grants: Larger one-off donations for crisis situations (e.g., £5,000 each to food banks during cost of living crisis)
  • Application Method: Online portal, rolling basis
  • Application Frequency: Organizations can apply once every 12 months (whether successful or unsuccessful)

Priority Areas

The programme actively funds projects in:

  • Environmental development and sustainability - Protection and enhancement of the natural environment
  • Local community development - Community spaces, facilities, and initiatives
  • Health and life-saving research - Medical research and healthcare initiatives
  • Education - Educational programs and access to learning
  • Youth development - Programs supporting young people
  • Relief for those in need - Support for vulnerable populations due to youth, age, ill health, disability, or financial hardship
  • Local health and social care - Community health services and social support

The programme shows particular interest in Lancashire-based organizations, though it supports projects UK-wide and occasionally internationally.

What They Don't Fund

Explicit exclusions include:

  • Applications with private profit motives
  • Political initiatives
  • Potentially illegal activities
  • Proposals deemed unethical regarding equality or diversity
  • Loan repayments
  • Holidays
  • Bankruptcy petition fees
  • Funeral expenses
  • Salaries
  • Court fees
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Governance and Leadership

The programme operates under the governance of Glasdon Group Limited (Company Reg. No: 2161331), with a dedicated board of Charitable Programme Managers who meet bi-monthly.

Key Personnel

Donald J Sidebottom MBE, FCIHT - Founder and Chairman of Glasdon Group Limited

Founded Glasdon in 1959 and pioneered the use of plastic materials for road signs and street furniture. The programme is named in his honour, reflecting his longstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Julie Harvey - Charitable Programme Manager (serving since 2003)

Daughter of Donald J Sidebottom; former telecommunications industry director and property investment business partner.

"I'm passionate about helping families and individuals who are in need."

Joy Kavanagh - Group Director and Charitable Programme Manager (serving since 2016)

25+ years with Glasdon, Company Director for over 10 years.

"I'm confident that we can make a real difference to the charities we support."

Joe Drury - Charitable Programme Manager

Commercial pilot and son of Donald J Sidebottom.

“I am excited to join the DJ Sidebottom / Glasdon Charitable Programme.”

Amy Favieres - Charitable Programme Manager

Daughter of Donald J Sidebottom with outdoor pursuits background and experience at Glasdon's Lille office.

“I am passionate about protecting the environment and supporting families.”

Helen Edwards - Charitable Programme Manager

30-year Glasdon employee, Senior Secretary for Group Directors, Blackpool native.

"I'm really looking forward to being part of the DJ Sidebottom / Glasdon Charitable Programme."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Review eligibility: Check grant criteria at https://www.djsglasdoncharitableprogramme.org/grants/grant-criteria
  2. Complete online application: Submit via the online grant application form
  3. Wait for assessment: Board of Charitable Programme Managers reviews all applications
  4. Receive decision: Successful applicants contacted by telephone, email, or post

Important: Applications that do not comply with criteria will not be considered. Organizations are advised to carefully review eligibility before applying.

Decision Timeline

  • Initial response target: Within 12 weeks of submission
  • Board meetings: Bi-monthly (applications assessed at these meetings)
  • Follow-up: If no response within 12 weeks, applicants should contact the programme
  • Notification method: Telephone, email, or post for successful applications; board confirms outcomes for all applicants

Success Rates

The programme does not publicly disclose specific success rates. In 2024, they supported 196 organizations with £231,000, indicating a relatively broad reach for grant distribution.

Reapplication Policy

  • Successful applicants: Can reapply after 12 months
  • Unsuccessful applicants: Can also reapply after 12 months
  • No restrictions: No waiting periods beyond the 12-month rule

Additional Terms:

  • Grants must be used appropriately for intended purposes
  • Uncashed donations become invalid after 3 months
  • Recipients consent to potential publicity about their grant

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Programme Values

The programme prioritizes organizations that align with their core mission areas: environment, community development, health, and support for vulnerable populations. Recent funded projects demonstrate this focus:

Recent Examples of Funded Projects:

  • Men's Sheds (£8,750, 2024 Employee Charity of the Year): Combating loneliness and social isolation through community workshop spaces
  • Blackpool Music School: Supporting student access to RSL online learning platform and graded exams
  • Streetwise Youth Community: Funding for running costs and group activities for youth programs
  • Food Banks (£5,000 each to Blackpool Food Bank, Fylde Food Bank, Faith in the Community/The Pantry): Emergency support during cost of living crisis
  • Blue Skies Blackpool Victoria Neonatal Unit - Parent Kitchen Fund (£500): Supporting families with babies in neonatal care
  • Pans Panda UK (£500): Education and awareness about PANS and PANDAS conditions
  • N-Vision, Blackpool Polar Bears, Disability First CIO: Various community support organizations

Language and Terminology

The programme uses accessible, community-focused language. Key themes in their communications include:

  • “Worthwhile causes”
  • “Making a real difference”
  • “Giving back to our community”
  • “Supporting families and individuals in need”
  • “Local and wider communities”

Standing Out

Based on the programme's structure and funded projects:

  1. Demonstrate clear community benefit: Show tangible impact on local or wider communities
  2. Align with multiple priorities: Projects that address both community need AND environmental/health benefits may be particularly compelling
  3. Show sustainability: Explain how the grant will create lasting benefit
  4. Local connections: While not required, Lancashire/Blackpool-based organizations appear well-represented
  5. Specific funding requests: Be clear about what the grant will fund and how much is needed
  6. Family and community focus: Projects supporting vulnerable groups, particularly those helping families, youth, elderly, or disabled populations

Tips for Success

  • Check eligibility thoroughly before applying - non-compliant applications will not be considered
  • Be patient: The bi-monthly meeting schedule means timing of your application relative to meeting dates affects decision timeline
  • Apply for appropriate amounts: While larger grants are possible, typical grants are £500-£2,000; justify requests over this range
  • Emphasize alignment: Clearly connect your project to one or more of their priority areas
  • Consider product gifting: The programme also offers product donations from Glasdon's range - if street furniture, waste management, or environmental products would benefit your project, mention this
  • Be responsive: If contacted, respond promptly as uncashed donations expire after 3 months

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Broad but focused: While supporting 196 organizations annually indicates relatively wide accessibility, all must align with environmental, health, community, or vulnerable populations priorities
  1. Corporate giving model: This is a company-funded programme rather than an independent trust, which means applications should acknowledge the corporate social responsibility context
  1. Family-led governance: The board includes multiple family members of the founder, suggesting values-driven decision-making rooted in the company's history and founder's vision
  1. Rolling deadlines with bi-monthly decisions: Applications can be submitted anytime, but decisions occur at bi-monthly meetings - timing matters for urgency
  1. Flexible support formats: Beyond cash grants, consider requesting product donations or combined support packages if relevant to your project
  1. 12-month cycle: Plan your funding strategy knowing you can only approach them once per year, whether successful or not
  1. Strong local presence: While UK-wide funding is available, the programme shows particular commitment to Lancashire/Blackpool communities - local organizations should emphasize community connections

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