Leicester Charity Organisation Society (charity Link)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly specified for Small Grants Scheme
• Grant Range: Up to £500
• Decision Time: Quarterly review (allow 2+ months)
• Geographic Focus: Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland
• Application Schedule: Fixed deadlines (quarterly)

Contact Details

Website: www.charity-link.org

Email: trustadmin@charity-link.org (for grant applications)

General enquiries: info@charity-link.org

Phone: 0116 222 2200

Address: Trust Administration, Charity Link, 20a Millstone Lane, Leicester, LE1 5JN

Overview

Founded in 1876, the Leicester Charity Organisation Society operates as Charity Link and is registered as charity number 1078271. The organization's primary mission is to improve the health, wellbeing, and dignity of people in need across Leicestershire, Rutland, and Northamptonshire. While the charity's main work involves distributing essential items to over 5,000 individuals annually (distributing over £560,000 in essential items in recent six-month periods), their Trust Administration team also manages the Charity Link Small Grants Scheme. This scheme provides grants up to £500 to charitable organizations operating in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. The scheme consists of funds from three charitable trusts that Charity Link administers: Leicester Indigent Old Age Society, Mansion Trust (UK), and R Daphne Plunket Charitable Trust.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Charity Link Small Grants Scheme: Up to £500 per grant

• Applications considered quarterly in April, July, October, and January
• Fixed deadline schedule (contact Trust Administration team for specific dates)
• Applicants advised to submit at least two months before project start date
• Can support specific project costs or operational expenses
• Currently no funds available for projects in Northamptonshire

Priority Areas

The scheme supports projects addressing:

• Relief of poverty, hardship and distress
• Relief of physical or mental illness
• Advancement of education for people in need
• Support for people aged over 60 years

What They Don't Fund

• Projects in Northamptonshire (currently no funds available)
• Non-charitable organizations
• Projects outside Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland geographical area

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Anthony Henry Jarvis - Chartered Accountant (Appointed: 2003)
• Clive Edmund Smith - Company Director (Appointed: 2000)
• Cheryl Pharoah - Retired (Appointed: 2012)
• Christopher Thomas Saul - Solicitor (Appointed: 2017)
• Craig Ewan Shevas - Chartered Accountant (Appointed: 2017)
• Professor Surinder Mohan Sharma - Consultant (Appointed: 2017)
• George Oliver - Journalist (Appointed: 2019)
• Harinder Kaur Sahota - Head of Practice Management (Appointed: 2021)
• Barnaby Sturgess - Company Director (Appointed: 2024)

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The board of trustees decides the strategic aims of the charity, while a Senior Leadership Team develops and implements strategies and policies.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Download and carefully read the Small Grants Scheme Guidelines from the Charity Link website
2. Download and complete the Small Grants Scheme Application Form
3. Include your most recent annual accounts with the application
4. Submit completed application by email to: trustadmin@charity-link.org

OR by post to: Trust Administration, Charity Link, 20a Millstone Lane, Leicester, LE1 5JN

Decision Timeline

• Applications considered quarterly: April, July, October, January
• Applicants should submit at least two months in advance of project start date
• Contact the Trust Administration team at 0116 222 2200 to confirm specific deadline dates

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available. Contact the Trust Administration team for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Key Recommendations

1. Apply early: Submit at least two months before your project needs to start
2. Read guidelines thoroughly: The funder emphasizes carefully reading the Small Grants Scheme Guidelines before completing the application form
3. Include required documents: Ensure you submit your most recent annual accounts with the application
4. Align with priority areas: Clearly demonstrate how your project addresses relief of poverty/hardship/distress, physical or mental illness, education for those in need, or support for people over 60
5. Be a registered charity: The scheme is specifically for charitable organizations, not individuals or non-charitable groups
6. Geographic eligibility: Ensure your project operates within Leicester, Leicestershire, or Rutland (not Northamptonshire currently)

What the Funder Values

Based on Charity Link's broader mission, applications that demonstrate:

• Direct benefit to vulnerable people experiencing poverty, hardship, or distress
• Clear alignment with helping children, young people, or older people
• Practical, tangible support that improves quality of life

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small grant maximum: With grants capped at £500, this is suitable for small projects or specific items rather than major initiatives
• Quarterly deadlines: Plan ahead for the April, July, October, or January review cycles
• Two-month lead time: Factor in at least two months between application and when funds are needed
• Multiple trust funds: The scheme pools resources from three charitable trusts, each with specific focuses (including support for older people)
• Limited geographic scope: Only Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland are currently eligible (Northamptonshire excluded)
• Flexible use: Grants can support specific projects or operational costs, offering some flexibility
• Priority on vulnerable groups: Strong focus on poverty relief and support for older people aligns with the organization's 147-year history of serving those in need

References

• Charity Link Official Website - Small Grants Scheme: https://charity-link.org/trust-administration/charity-link-small-grants-scheme/ (Accessed: 2025-10-22)
• Charity Link - About Us: https://charity-link.org/about-us/ (Accessed: 2025-10-22)
• Charity Commission Register - Leicester Charity Organisation Society (1078271): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1078271&subId=0 (Accessed: 2025-10-22)
• Charity Link - Leicester Indigent Old Age Society: https://charity-link.org/trust-administration/charities-we-administer/leicester-indigent-old-age-society/ (Accessed: 2025-10-22)
• Giving is Great - Charity Factsheet 1078271: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1078271 (Accessed: 2025-10-22)