Great Dunmow And District Round Table Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £24,000 (recent 12 months)
• Grant Range: Up to £2,000 (exceptional circumstances may allow higher)
• Decision Time: Quarterly business meetings
• Geographic Focus: Great Dunmow and surrounding district, Essex
• Total Impact: Over £250,000 distributed in the last 10 years through 200+ donations
• Charity Number: 1061648

Contact Details

Website: www.greatdunmowroundtable.co.uk

Email: paypal@greatdunmowroundtable.co.uk

Phone: 01371 700474

Address: Great Dunmow Round Table, c/o Livermore House, 46 High Street, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1AW

Application Portal: Online donation request form available at www.greatdunmowroundtable.co.uk/donation-requests

Overview

The Great Dunmow and District Round Table Charitable Trust was registered with the Charity Commission on 2 April 1997 (Charity Number 1061648). Affiliated to the Round Table of Great Britain and Ireland, this grassroots organization is run by local young men who raise funds through community events and distribute them directly back into the Great Dunmow community. Over the past decade, they have made over 200 donations, pledges, and contributions totaling approximately £250,000, with recent annual giving around £24,000.

The organization operates through major fundraising events including the annual Great Dunmow Soapbox Race (which has raised over £150,000 since inception), fireworks displays, Santa's Sleigh at Christmas, and charity concerts. In 2008, they became Guinness World Record Holders for riding the biggest pedal-powered vehicle. The charity is currently supported by 3 trustees and 21 volunteers who receive no remuneration. Their most recent financial year (ending 31 March 2024) saw income of £86,436 and expenditure of £91,351.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Programme: Up to £2,000 per grant (exceptional circumstances may allow higher amounts)

• Applications considered quarterly at business meetings
• Rolling application basis via online form
• Funds distributed to local charities, schools, clubs, and individuals in need

Priority Areas

The Round Table favors projects that:

• Support young people: Scouts, guides, youth clubs, and other youth-focused organizations
• Help elderly groups: Friendship clubs, day centers, and services for older residents
• Improve community facilities: Village halls, community centers, and shared spaces
• Benefit the local community: Projects that enhance community life in Great Dunmow and surrounding district
• Purchase services or materials: Grants typically assist with partial or full funding for specific needs

All money raised goes back into the community, whether to local charities, schools, clubs, or individuals in need. Recent major beneficiaries have included St Clare Hospice, Mind in West Essex, and Diabetes UK through their Soapbox Race event.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the focus is clearly on:

• Organizations and projects based in or serving the Great Dunmow area
• Practical, tangible projects requiring equipment or materials
• Donations are unlikely to exceed £2,000 except in exceptional circumstances

Ready to write a winning application for Great Dunmow And District Round Table Charitable Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 3 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The organization is supported by 21 active volunteers who participate in fundraising events and community service activities.

Structure: The trustees are responsible for controlling the work, management, and administration of the charity on behalf of its beneficiaries. The charity operates with internal financial controls policy and procedures, as well as social media policy and procedures.

Meetings: The Round Table meets on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Wednesday of each month, with business meetings typically held quarterly to review donation requests.

The organization does not have any trading subsidiaries and does not work with professional fundraisers or commercial participators - all fundraising is conducted directly by volunteers.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through an online donation request form available at www.greatdunmowroundtable.co.uk/donation-requests.

Application Process:

1. Complete the online donation request form on their website
2. Your request will be added to the agenda for the next business meeting
3. Requests are debated in full by all members at the quarterly business meeting
4. Members vote on each application
5. Successful applicants are notified following the meeting

Pre-Application Guidance: Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the donation policy on the website before submitting a request to ensure their project aligns with the Round Table's priorities.

Decision Timeline

• Meeting Frequency: Business meetings are usually held quarterly
• Consideration: Applications are debated and voted on at the next available business meeting following submission
• Typical Timeline: Quarterly decision cycle, though specific notification timelines are not published

The Round Table considers applications for assistance in the community on a bi-monthly basis according to some sources, suggesting fairly regular grant-making rounds.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, with over 200 donations made in the last 10 years and annual giving of approximately £24,000, the organization actively supports multiple local causes each year.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is stated. Organizations are welcome to submit requests through the standard application form.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Round Table's stated priorities and activities, successful applications typically demonstrate:

Community Focus: The most successful projects clearly benefit the Great Dunmow community and surrounding district. The organization explicitly states “All the money we raise goes back into our community.”

Clear Project Needs: Applications should specify what services or materials funding will purchase. The Round Table favors projects with tangible, practical outcomes that their grants can partially or fully fund.

Young or Elderly Beneficiaries: The organization specifically highlights their interest in “projects which are of special help to young or elderly groups, such as scouts, guides, youth clubs, and friendship clubs.”

Community Facility Improvements: Projects that enhance shared community spaces like village halls are viewed favorably, as these improvements benefit multiple community members.

Realistic Budget: Keep requests at or below £2,000 unless circumstances are truly exceptional. The organization is transparent that they are “not likely to make donations of more than £2000 except in exceptional circumstances.”

Local Connection: Given their grassroots nature and commitment to the Great Dunmow area, applications from organizations deeply embedded in the local community will likely resonate most strongly.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Keep it local: This is a community-focused funder dedicated to Great Dunmow and the immediate district - emphasize your local roots and impact
• Be realistic with amounts: Standard grants are up to £2,000; don't overreach unless you have exceptional justification
• Highlight beneficiaries: Clearly identify if your project helps young people, elderly residents, or the broader community
• Use the online form: The application process is straightforward via their website - complete the form thoroughly and reference their donation policy
• Plan for quarterly decisions: Business meetings are held quarterly, so factor this timeline into your funding strategy
• Show community benefit: Demonstrate how your project will enhance community life or improve shared facilities
• Consider their fundraising cycle: Major fundraising events happen annually (Soapbox Race, fireworks, Santa's Sleigh), which may influence funding availability

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Jack Brunton Charitable Trust
• 3R Foundation
• Round Table Charitable Trust Fund
• Billericay Round Table Charitable Trust Fund
• The Ralph and Irma Sperring Charity
• FOWLER SMITH AND JONES TRUST
• Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust
• The Geoffrey Watling Charity
• Barton Under Needwood and Dunstall Key Trust
• The Pargiter Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: Great Dunmow and District Round Table Charitable Trust, Charity Number 1061648. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1061648 (Accessed 3 February 2026)

• Great Dunmow Round Table official website: www.greatdunmowroundtable.co.uk (Accessed 3 February 2026)

• Great Dunmow Round Table Donation Policy: https://www.greatdunmowroundtable.co.uk/donation-policy (Accessed 3 February 2026)

• Great Dunmow Round Table Donation Requests: https://www.greatdunmowroundtable.co.uk/donation-requests (Accessed 3 February 2026)

• "Great Dunmow Soapbox Race 2019: Thousands line the street for 'amazing' day," Dunmow Broadcast. Available at: https://www.dunmowbroadcast.co.uk/news/21695317.great-dunmow-soapbox-race-2019-thousands-line-street-amazing-day/ (Accessed 3 February 2026)

• “Great Dunmow Soapbox Race in pictures: Event raises £40,000,” Great British Life. Available at: https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/essex/22611619.great-dunmow-soapbox-race-pictures-event-raises-40-000/ (Accessed 3 February 2026)

• Charity Choice: Great Dunmow and District Round Table Charitable Trust. Available at: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/great-dunmow-and-district-round-table-charitable-trust-14783 (Accessed 3 February 2026)