Mr And Mrs J A Pye's Charitable Settlement

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £573,252 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly review cycle (approximately 3-4 months)
• Grant Range: £500 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: Oxfordshire (UK)

Contact Details

• Website: www.PyeCharitableSettlement.org
• Email: pyecharitablesettlement@gmail.com
• Phone: 07775882715
• Address: Springfield Faringdon Road, Southmoor, Oxfordshire, OX13 5BG
• Charity Number: 242677

Overview

Mr and Mrs J A Pye's Charitable Settlement was established in 1966 by its namesake founders. Originally, the settlement's principal asset was a shareholding in the Pye building company, though these shares have since been divested. Today, the charity operates through an endowment fund that generates all its income. In 2023, the settlement had a total income of £646,666 and made grants totaling £573,252. The trustees maintain interest in areas where the Pye building company operated while expanding support to broader charitable causes. The settlement's vision is to establish itself as “a major independent source of funding for charitable causes in Oxfordshire,” focusing on alleviating hardship through strategic grant-making. The charity is governed by three trustees who meet quarterly to review applications and make funding decisions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Grants: £500 - £10,000 (typical range)
• Application method: Online funding request form (rolling basis with quarterly deadlines)
• The trust may award more or less than organizations have requested
• Multiyear grants are not currently available
• Successful applicants may reapply annually with project updates

Priority Areas

The settlement focuses on three primary causes within Oxfordshire:

1. Alleviating Hardship: Addressing poverty, cost-of-living crisis, and areas of deprivation. Supporting charities helping families and individuals facing homelessness, mental health challenges, adverse childhood experiences, crisis situations, and other significant hardships.

1. Education: Supporting educational needs of schools, especially those in underfunded areas and regions of deprivation. Funding education, training, and employability opportunities through which young people can fulfill their potential.

1. Environmental Stewardship: Promoting and protecting the environment, enhancing the health and resilience of ecosystems, wildlife protection, and habitat restoration.

The trust welcomes unrestricted grants and core costs for organizations aligning with trustee interests.

What They Don't Fund

• Individual grants or bursaries
• Religious organizations, churches, or church building restoration
• Heritage and historical site restoration
• Arts, music, orchestras, and cultural societies
• International charities
• Museums and galleries
• Unregistered entities (Community Interest Companies, voluntary groups, or organizations not registered with The Charities Commission)
• Animal charities (unless benefiting vulnerable people)
• Organizations outside Oxfordshire unless they have substantial presence in the area with ongoing projects

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Governance and Leadership

The settlement is governed by three trustees:

• Graham Flint (Appointed: 2019)
• Valerie Buzzard (Appointed: 2020)
• Philip Marsh (Appointed: 2023)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trustees meet quarterly (approximately March, June, September, and December) to review applications and make funding decisions. They are guided by the settlement's vision to establish itself as a major independent source of funding for charitable causes in Oxfordshire.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the online funding request form available on the settlement's website. Postal applications are not accepted. Applicants should:

1. Complete the online funding request form
2. Briefly outline why their work is needed and effective
3. Provide bank details within the application
4. Ensure the charity is registered with The Charities Commission
5. Verify the organization is based in or has strong presence in Oxfordshire

The settlement advises contacting them before applying if you have questions about eligibility or fit.

Decision Timeline

• Applications undergo continuous review with decisions made quarterly
• Trustees meet approximately every three months (March, June, September, December)
• For projects with specific start dates, applicants should submit at least four months before the project is due to begin
• Early submission is encouraged: “Submitting your application early increases its chances of being reviewed in the upcoming meeting”
• Although applications are accepted continuously, deadlines limit the number of applications considered each quarter

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Due to high application volume, the settlement is unable to offer specific feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Successful applicants may reapply the following year to the same project or for core costs. When reapplying, organizations should provide a short update on the previous year's success.

Application Success Factors

Key Advice from the Funder:

• Submit early: The trust explicitly states that early submissions before deadlines increase chances of being reviewed in the upcoming meeting
• Check criteria carefully: Ensure your charity is based in or has strong presence in Oxfordshire before applying
• Be specific about impact: Briefly outline why your work is needed and effective
• Consider unrestricted/core funding: The trust is happy to consider unrestricted grants and core costs for charities that align with trustee interests

Strategic Alignment:

• Strong Oxfordshire connection is essential
• Focus on one or more of the three priority areas (hardship, education, environment)
• Projects addressing poverty, cost-of-living crisis, or deprivation are particularly aligned
• Schools in underfunded areas and regions of deprivation are prioritized
• Environmental projects focusing on ecosystem health and habitat restoration fit well

Post-Award Requirements:

• Send a grant receipt promptly after receiving funds (required for annual audit)
• The trust will not follow up for this documentation, so prompt submission is important

What to Avoid:

• Don't apply if you're not registered with The Charities Commission
• Avoid late applications close to deadlines
• Don't expect feedback if unsuccessful - plan accordingly

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Oxfordshire focus is paramount: The settlement primarily supports charities based in Oxfordshire or with substantial ongoing projects in the county. Don't apply without a strong local connection.

• Submit early and plan ahead: Applications should be submitted at least four months before project start dates, and early submissions within each quarter have better chances of review.

• Alignment with one of three priorities is essential: Clearly demonstrate how your work addresses alleviating hardship, education (especially for underserved areas), or environmental protection.

• Core funding is welcome: Unlike many funders, the Pye Trust explicitly welcomes applications for unrestricted grants and core costs, making this a good prospect for operational funding.

• Keep it brief and impact-focused: The online form asks applicants to “briefly” outline why work is needed and effective - be concise and evidence-based.

• Registration is non-negotiable: Only Charities Commission-registered organizations are eligible. Community Interest Companies and voluntary groups cannot apply.

• Consider reapplication opportunities: If successful, you can reapply annually, making this a potential source of ongoing support with proper reporting on previous year's success.

References

• Pye Charitable Settlement official website: https://pyecharitablesettlement.org/
• Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 242677: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=242677
• Pye Trust - Where do the Settlement's Interests Lie: https://pyecharitablesettlement.org/where-do-the-settlements-interests-lie/
• Pye Trust - Application Process: https://pyecharitablesettlement.org/application-process/
• Giving is Great Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=242677
• Charity Choice Directory: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/mr-and-mrs-j-a-pyes-charitable-settlement-153476
• Financial information sourced from publicly available charity records for year ending December 2023