E C Graham Belford Charitable Settlement

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £100,000 (approximately)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Up to £10,000 maximum
• Geographic Focus: Northumberland only

Contact Details

Registered Address:

Forsters LLP

31 Hill Street

London W1J 5LS

Phone: 020 7863 8333

Charity Number: 1014869

Overview

The E C Graham Belford Charitable Settlement was established in 1991 (trust deed dated July 17, 1991, amended September 29, 1992) and registered as a charity on October 20, 1992. The settlement is dedicated to supporting smaller charities based in the Northumberland area. With annual giving of approximately £100,000 and a focused geographic remit, this is a locally-oriented grant-making trust that provides vital funding to community organizations throughout Northumberland. The charity operates with three trustees and maintains no paid staff, keeping administrative costs minimal to maximize grant distributions. Recent financial data (year ending April 5, 2025) shows total income of £149,164 and total expenditure of £234,453, indicating the trust drew on reserves to maintain its grant-making activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Small Charity Grants: Up to £10,000 maximum grant size
• Application Method: By letter only (contact details available via Charity Commission)

Priority Areas

The charity's stated mission is “to make donations to smaller charities based in the Northumberland area.” The settlement focuses on:

• General charitable purposes
• Making grants to organizations (registered charities and voluntary bodies)
• Making grants to individuals
• Supporting smaller charitable organizations throughout Northumberland

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations based outside Northumberland
• Large, well-funded charities (focus is on smaller organizations)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Anthony Ian Thompson
• Robert William Heath Hutchinson
• One additional trustee (three trustees total)

All trustees serve without remuneration or benefits. The charity is administered through Forsters LLP, a London-based law firm, though the focus remains on Northumberland-based beneficiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by letter. Contact details for submission are available on the Charity Commission website by searching for charity number 1014869. There is no online application portal or standardized application form—applicants should write a formal letter outlining their organization, the project or need requiring funding, and the amount requested (up to £10,000).

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the small trustee board and administrative structure through a law firm, applicants should expect decision-making to follow trustee meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed. With approximately £100,000 distributed annually and a maximum grant of £10,000, the trust likely makes between 10-20 grants per year, depending on the size of individual awards.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly available. Organizations should contact the trustees for guidance on reapplication timelines.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about this settlement's specific preferences, success factors are likely to include:

• Clear Northumberland Connection: Organizations must demonstrate they are based in and serve the Northumberland area
• Smaller Charity Status: The trust explicitly focuses on “smaller charities,” so larger, well-resourced organizations are unlikely to be prioritized
• Specific Project Needs: With grants up to £10,000, applications should outline specific, achievable projects or needs rather than general running costs
• Charitable Registration: Given the trust's focus on making grants to “charities or voluntary bodies,” organizations should clarify their charitable status
• Professional Letter Application: As applications are by letter only, a well-structured, professionally written application demonstrating clear need and impact will be essential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only Northumberland-based charities are eligible
• Size matters: This trust specifically targets smaller charities, so demonstrate your organization's scale and need
• Maximum grant is £10,000: Calibrate your request appropriately—don't ask for more than the stated maximum
• Letter applications only: Take time to craft a compelling written case without the guidance of an application form
• Limited public information: Contact the trustees directly via the Charity Commission details for specific guidance before applying
• Annual giving is consistent: With approximately £100,000 distributed annually, this is a reliable local funding source for Northumberland charities
• No staff overhead: The trust operates through volunteer trustees and professional administrators, suggesting preference for efficient, well-governed applicants

References

• E C Graham Belford Charitable Settlement - OpenCharities
• Charity Commission Register - Charity Details for 1014869
• Funding Sources - Northumberland CVA
• Thirty Funding Sources All Community Groups in Northumberland Should Know About - NCVA Factsheet