Northbrook Community Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £189,595 (FY 2024-25)
• Grant Range: Up to £25,000 (no single grant exceeded this in recent accounts)
• Decision Time: 7 days post-committee meeting (for notifications)
• Geographic Focus: Devon only
• Application Method: Rolling with fixed committee dates
• History: Operating since 1836

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 104, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 1DQ

Phone: 07552 992139

Email: northbrookcommunitytrust@gmail.com

Website: www.northbrookcommunitytrust.co.uk

Registered Charity Number: 228740

Overview

Northbrook Community Trust is one of Devon's longest-serving charities, with roots dating back to 1836 when it operated as a refuge for children released from prison. The trust adopted its current name and mission in 1995, transitioning from direct service provision to grant-making. Funded by investment income from property sales in 1996, the trust now supports Devon-based charities and organizations working with disadvantaged children and young people under 25. Since 2019, they have supported over 80 children's charities across Devon, focusing on projects addressing care, education, and training needs. The trust emphasizes supporting innovative programs that fall outside statutory government responsibilities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants (under £5,000)

• Considered nine times per year by the Benefits & Communications sub-committee
• Sub-committee has authority to approve grants up to £7,500

Larger Grants (£5,000+)

• Considered four times per year
• Grants over £7,500 require full Board of Trustees approval
• No single grant has exceeded £25,000 in recent accounts

Grant Types

• Both capital and revenue grants available
• One-time grants or multi-year commitments (typically 1-3 years maximum)
• Trust prefers shorter commitments to support new organizations

Priority Areas

Target Population

• Children and young people under 25 years of age
• Focus on disadvantaged and vulnerable young people
• Must demonstrate need beyond statutory provision

Project Types Funded

• Rural retreats and residential programs
• Outdoor learning and environmental education
• Therapeutic horsemanship and disabled access improvements
• Arts and cultural workshops
• Mentoring and diversionary activities
• Extra-curricular programs (music, gardening, dance)
• School wellbeing programs
• Essential building repairs and facility improvements
• Forest schools and experiential learning

Recent Grant Recipients

• Okehampton Community Dance Project (70-80 children, ages 3-18)
• Home-Start Teignbridge (20 children 0-4 years, 8 parents under 25)
• Devon Healing Horsemanship – Willand (11 young people, ages 8-24)
• Tor Bridge Primary School – Plymouth (180+ pupils, ages 5-12)
• Wild Hearts Services CIC – Exeter (11 kinship care children, ages 7-16)

What They Don't Fund

• Posts or positions that are statutory responsibilities of local or central government
• Activities already covered by government funding obligations
• Organizations operating outside Devon
• Programs serving people over 25 years of age
• General operating costs normally funded by government

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Governance and Leadership

Patron: The Baroness Butler-Sloss GBE

Vice Patron: Mr Brian Eastwood

Board of Trustees

• Chair: Mrs H Morgan
• Vice Chair: Mr R Thistlethwayte
• Trustees: Mr D Law, Mr A Chapman, Mrs M Mortimer, Mr S Bright, Mr A Pearce, Councillor E Hill, Dr S Ansell

Committee Structure

• Finance Committee (Chair: Mr R Thistlethwayte)
• Property Committee (Chair: Mr J Boles)
• Benefits and Communications Committee (Chair: Mrs J Maisey) - Reviews and decides grant applications
• Strategy and Nominations Committee

Administration: Mrs M Trotter (Clerk to the Trust)

Governance Note: No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Eligibility Test: Complete the online 13-question self-assessment questionnaire to verify eligibility
2. Review Requirements: Read Terms & Conditions and Data Protection Statement
3. Submit Application: Use online form (can save progress across sessions) or downloadable hardcopy form
4. Supporting Documents: Submit all relevant documents via email to the Clerk or by post

Application Portal: Available at www.northbrookcommunitytrust.co.uk/apply-now.html

Decision Timeline

Committee Meeting Dates (2026)

Benefits & Communications Sub-committee:

• January 13
• April 14
• June 16
• August 18
• November 10

Board of Trustees (for grants over £7,500):

• February 6
• May 15
• September 11
• December 4

Submission Deadline: Applications must be received at least 14 working days before a committee meeting to be considered at that meeting.

Notification: The Clerk typically notifies applicants within seven days of the meeting, unless additional information is required.

Grant Activation: Grants must be taken up within six months of the acceptance letter date or they will automatically lapse unless the trust agrees in writing to the delay.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The trust “will not enter into further correspondence if an application has not been approved,” but explicitly states this “does not necessarily mean that applications will not be successful in the future.” This indicates unsuccessful applicants may reapply, though no specific waiting period is mentioned.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Specificity

Devon-based organizations only. The trust maintains a heat map of funded organizations showing comprehensive coverage across the county, demonstrating commitment to county-wide reach.

Demonstrate Need Beyond Statutory Provision

Applications must clearly show the project addresses needs not covered by local or central government statutory responsibilities. This is a fundamental eligibility criterion.

Focus on Disadvantaged Youth

Successful applications demonstrate how projects serve children and young people experiencing disadvantage, with clear evidence of need.

Project-Specific Funding

The trust prefers funding specific projects rather than general operating costs. Applications should detail a particular initiative with defined outcomes.

Clear Beneficiary Numbers

Funded projects typically specify exact numbers of beneficiaries (e.g., “70-80 children” or “11 young people”), suggesting applications should include specific impact metrics.

Diverse Approaches Welcomed

Recent grants span dance, parenting support, equine therapy, literacy, and outdoor education, indicating openness to varied methodologies if they serve the target population.

Reporting Compliance

Organizations failing to provide required reports become ineligible for future applications. Demonstrating strong organizational capacity for grant management is essential.

Alignment with Trust Values

The trust's 188-year history of supporting vulnerable children suggests applications resonating with themes of second chances, rehabilitation, and holistic development may align well with trustee values.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Devon-only focus is absolute - Organizations must operate in Devon to be eligible
• Demonstrate additionality - Clearly show your project addresses needs beyond statutory government provision
• Be specific about beneficiaries - Include exact numbers and age ranges of children/young people served
• Submit early - Applications need 14 working days before committee meetings; plan around the meeting schedule
• Grants under £7,500 have faster approval - Sub-committee can approve these directly without full Board involvement
• Strong reporting opens future doors - Failure to report closes future funding opportunities; compliance is critical
• Reapplication is possible - Unsuccessful applicants can try again, though no feedback is provided on rejections
• Think project-specific, not core costs - Frame applications around specific initiatives with defined outcomes rather than general operating expenses

References

• Northbrook Community Trust Official Website
• Apply for a Grant - Application Process
• Grant Criteria
• Grant Terms & Conditions
• Trustees and Governance
• Our Heritage - Trust History
• Supported Charities
• January 2024 Latest Funded Projects
• Charity Commission Register - Charity 228740
• Devon Funding News - Northbrook Community Trust