J N Derbyshire Trust

Charity Number: 231907

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M
Geographic Focus: Nottinghamshire

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £208,360 (2023/24)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (high competition)
  • Decision Time: 1-2 months after deadline
  • Grant Range: £350 - £10,000
  • Geographic Focus: Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

Contact Details

Website: www.jnderbyshiretrust.com

Email: emma.hanson2022@outlook.com

Phone: 07800 617191

Application Portal: Applications submitted through Nottinghamshire Community Foundation at www.forevernotts.com/grant/j-n-derbyshire-trust/

Overview

Established in September 1944 by Job Nightingale Derbyshire, a prominent Chartered Accountant who practiced for many years in Nottingham, the J N Derbyshire Trust supports community and voluntary groups working to improve communities across Nottinghamshire. In the financial year ending April 2024, the trust had total income of £147,619 and total expenditure of £208,360, demonstrating active grant-making from its established endowment. The trust operates without active fundraising, instead “seeking to continue the philanthropic work desired by the donor through the careful stewardship of its existing resources.” Governed by a six-member council comprising three members of the Derbyshire family and three senior professionals with in-depth knowledge of the Nottinghamshire community, all trustees serve on a voluntary basis without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant program with two annual funding rounds:

  • General Grants: £350 - £10,000 (majority awarded between £1,000 - £5,000; up to £10,000 in exceptional circumstances)
  • Application Method: Fixed deadlines (31 January and 31 August) with online applications

Priority Areas

The trust supports projects across four charitable objectives:

  • Physical and mental health: Promotion of health and wellbeing initiatives
  • Support for disabilities: Development of physical improvement programs
  • Advancement of education: Educational projects and learning opportunities
  • Relief of poverty, distress and sickness: Supporting vulnerable populations, children, and those in need

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals: No grants are made to individuals
  • Large national charities: Applications from nationally-operated charities with reported income exceeding £1 million in their latest financial statements
  • Organizations outside Nottinghamshire: All applicants must be “situated in and operated for the benefit of people in Nottingham or Nottinghamshire”
  • Unregistered organizations: Must be registered charities or not-for-profit companies (CICs, companies limited by guarantee)
  • Organizations without financial track record: Must supply two years of accounts filed with either the Charities Commission or Companies House
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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by a council of six members, consisting of three members of the Derbyshire family and three senior professionals with in-depth knowledge of the Nottinghamshire community. This structure ensures continuity with the founder's vision while incorporating contemporary local expertise. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, demonstrating their voluntary commitment to the trust's charitable mission.

The trust operates with a clear philosophy: “The Trust does not actively fundraise and seeks to continue the philanthropic work desired by the donor through the careful stewardship of its existing resources.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the Nottinghamshire Community Foundation platform. The process involves:

  1. Register via the application link: www.forevernotts.com/grant/j-n-derbyshire-trust/
  2. Receive an email with your personalized application page link
  3. Complete the online application form
  4. Attach two years of accounts (mandatory requirement)
  5. Submit by the relevant deadline

Important: Applicants must read the Eligibility Guidelines on the trust's website before registering, as this is emphasized as an essential step.

National or regional charities must “fully evidence delivery in Nottinghamshire in their application.”

Decision Timeline

  • Application deadlines: 31 January and 31 August
  • Review meetings: March and October
  • Decision time: Approximately 1-2 months after the deadline
  • Notification method: Applicants of genuine interest are contacted by the Secretary for further information before final decisions are made

Success Rates

The trust does not publish specific success rate statistics. However, they acknowledge on their website and eligibility guidance: “We receive more requests for help than we can meet from our resources. We therefore have to make difficult decisions on which projects to fund even when all of the eligibility criteria have been met.”

This indicates that meeting eligibility criteria alone does not guarantee funding due to high competition for limited resources.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy or waiting period is documented. Organizations are able to apply in each funding round.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's stated priorities and requirements, successful applications should:

Demonstrate strong Nottinghamshire connections: The trust emphasizes that applicants must be “situated in and operated for the benefit of people in Nottingham or Nottinghamshire.” National or regional charities must provide robust evidence of local delivery. Applications should clearly articulate the local beneficiaries and impact.

Address core charitable objectives: The trust's founding purposes remain central - health, physical development, education, and relief of poverty, distress, and sickness. Applications should explicitly align with one or more of these objectives and demonstrate how the project addresses these needs.

Show financial accountability: The mandatory requirement for two years of accounts suggests the trust values financial stability and transparency. Ensure accounts are up-to-date and filed properly with the Charities Commission or Companies House.

Request realistic amounts: With most grants falling between £1,000-£5,000, applications should carefully consider whether to request within this typical range or justify why exceptional circumstances warrant up to £10,000.

Be prepared for follow-up: The trust's practice of contacting “applicants of genuine interest” for additional information suggests that initial applications should be comprehensive yet leave room for dialogue. Be responsive to requests for further details.

Acknowledge high competition: The trust's explicit statement about receiving more requests than they can fund suggests that applications need to be particularly compelling and demonstrate clear, measurable impact for Nottinghamshire communities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Two annual opportunities: Plan for the 31 January or 31 August deadlines with decisions made 1-2 months later
  • Local focus is paramount: Strong evidence of Nottinghamshire delivery is essential, particularly for regional or national organizations
  • Typical grant size is £1,000-£5,000: Budget your project accordingly unless exceptional circumstances justify up to £10,000
  • Financial documentation is mandatory: Ensure you have two years of filed accounts ready before starting the application
  • High competition environment: Meeting eligibility criteria is necessary but not sufficient; applications must stand out with clear local impact
  • No income cap for local organizations: Unlike large national charities (£1m+ excluded), smaller Nottinghamshire-based charities of any size can apply
  • Expect possible dialogue: Be prepared for the Secretary to contact you for additional information if your application is shortlisted

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