Essex Youth Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £300,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly review (up to 3 months)
• Grant Range: No minimum or maximum specified
• Geographic Focus: Essex and nationally (including Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Redbridge, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock, Waltham Forest)

Contact Details

Clerk to the Trustees:

Jonathan Douglas-Hughes OBE DL

The Old Rectory

Gestingthorpe

Halstead

Essex, CO9 3BB

Tel: 01787 460722

Email: jpdh147@gmail.com

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/essexyouthtrust

Overview

Essex Youth Trust is a long-established grant-making charity, originally registered in 1963 but with roots dating back to a trust deed from 1878. The charity distributes approximately £300,000 annually to organizations working with young people. Operating primarily in Essex but with a national remit, the Trust focuses on the education and advancement in life of young people under 25 who need assistance to develop their physical, mental, and spiritual capacities. The charity has a particular preference for those temporarily or permanently deprived of normal parental care or who are otherwise disadvantaged. The Trust preserves its permanent endowment while distributing income through grants to charitable organizations and voluntary bodies working in education, poverty prevention, arts/culture, and amateur sports for young people.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single grant program with flexible funding amounts:

• General Grants: No minimum or maximum amount - applications can be made for any amount
• Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly trustee meetings
• Review Schedule: February, May, August, and November

Priority Areas

• Age Group: Young people under 25 years
• Primary Focus: Education and advancement in life
• Specific Priorities:
• Young people deprived of normal parental care (temporary or permanent)
• Otherwise disadvantaged young people
• Development of physical, mental, and spiritual capacities
• Sector Focus:
• Education and training
• Prevention or relief of poverty
• Arts, culture, heritage, and science
• Amateur sport

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the Trust focuses exclusively on organizations benefiting young people under 25.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (as of 2024)

• William Rupert Gosling
• Caroline Tassier Edwards
• Claire Cottrell DL
• Michael John Dyer MBE
• William David Robson
• Julie Rogers (previously Julie Fosh)
• Michael Patrick Biegel DL

Additional trustees have included:

• John McEachern
• Duncan Green
• Lady Denison-Smith

Clerk to the Trustees

Jonathan Douglas-Hughes OBE DL

Professional Advisers

• Auditors: Spencer Fellowes & Co
• Legal Advisers: Gepp & Sons

The Trust maintains comprehensive governance policies including safeguarding, risk management, financial controls, and conflict of interest procedures. Trustees receive no remuneration for their service.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Application Form: Download the application form from the Trust's website (https://sites.google.com/site/essexyouthtrust) - available via Google Docs link
2. Submission Method: Applications must be submitted by email
3. Timing: Applications can be made at any time
4. Amount: Applications can be made for any amount - no minimum or maximum restrictions

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Quarterly in February, May, August, and November
• Submission Deadline: Applications must be submitted before the first day of the month in which a meeting is held to be considered at that meeting
• Maximum Wait Time: Up to 3 months depending on submission timing
• Example: To be considered at the February meeting, submit by January 31st

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. The Trustees make decisions in their absolute discretion and are not required to provide reasons for their decisions.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust does not publish specific restrictions on reapplication. Given that applications are accepted on a rolling basis, unsuccessful applicants can likely reapply in subsequent quarters.

Application Success Factors

Given the Trust's discretionary approach to decision-making, applicants should focus on:

Alignment with Core Mission:

• Clearly demonstrate how the project serves young people under 25
• Show evidence of need - particularly for young people “deprived of normal parental care or who are otherwise disadvantaged”
• Explain how the project will support “education and advancement in life”

Development Focus:

The Trust's charitable objects specifically mention developing “physical, mental and spiritual capacities.” Strong applications should articulate how the project contributes to one or more of these developmental areas.

Geographic Relevance:

While the Trust has a national remit, it operates primarily in Essex and surrounding areas including Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Redbridge, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock, and Waltham Forest. Organizations working in these areas may be prioritized.

Organizational Credibility:

As a traditional trust with historical roots, demonstrating established organizational governance and safeguarding practices will likely be important, particularly given the focus on vulnerable young people.

Flexibility in Ask:

Since applications can be made for “any amount,” carefully consider what level of funding is genuinely needed. The Trust distributes £300,000 annually, suggesting individual grants could vary significantly in size.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing is crucial: Submit before the 1st of February, May, August, or November to be considered at the next quarterly meeting
• Target demographic matters: Priority goes to young people under 25 who are disadvantaged or lack normal parental care - make this connection explicit
• Holistic development: Frame projects in terms of developing physical, mental, and spiritual capacities
• No funding limits: Applications can be for any amount, so tailor the ask to genuine project needs
• Discretionary decisions: Trustees decide without obligation to provide reasons, so ensure the application is comprehensive and self-evident in its merit
• Essex focus: While national applications are accepted, the Trust has strong Essex connections - local projects may have an advantage
• No second chances for detail: Since there's no published reapplication policy and decisions are discretionary, ensure the first application is thorough and compelling

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• FOWLER SMITH AND JONES TRUST
• The Charterhouse Charitable Trust
• The Englefield Charitable Trust
• Charles S French Charitable Trust
• The Tudwick Foundation
• Eastern Counties Educational Trust Limited
• The Cole Charitable Trust
• The Consuelo and Anthony Brooke Charitable Trust
• The Stroh Gestetner Foundation Ltd
• Thomas Wilson Educational Trust

References

• Essex Youth Trust official website: https://sites.google.com/site/essexyouthtrust
• Charity Commission Register - Essex Youth Trust (225768): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/225768/full-print
• Charity Commission - Financial information for year ending 31 March 2024
• Charity Commission - Trustees listing for Essex Youth Trust