Nuffield Trust For The Forces Of The Crown
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £2,062,900 (2023 allocation)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Variable - rolling basis for minor grants; annual March meeting for major grants
- Grant Range: Up to £50,000 (no upper limit for capital grants)
- Geographic Focus: England and Wales (serving UK Armed Forces)
Contact Details
General Secretary: general.secretary@nuffieldtrust.org
Phone: 7428856006
Website: www.nuffieldtrust.org
Service-Specific Contacts:
- Royal Navy: anne.carr@rnrmc.org.uk
- Army: RC-Pers-WelFunds-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
- RAF: Air-People-PFSpt-AccnWelDelMlbx@mod.gov.uk
Overview
The Nuffield Trust for the Forces of the Crown was founded by Lord Nuffield (William Morris) in 1939, established with one million Morris Motors shares valued at approximately £1.5 million. Registered as charity number 210829, the Trust's purpose is to promote the welfare and efficiency of the Forces of the Crown by providing facilities for recreation and welfare that are not funded by public resources. Since its founding, the Trust has distributed over £70 million in grants (equivalent to over £255 million in today's values). The charity operates with minimal overhead—just one employee and six trustees, none of whom receive remuneration. With 2023 expenditure of £2,014,152 against income of £121,177, the Trust draws primarily on its endowment to support service personnel through various conflicts and peacetime operations.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
Minor Grants
- Up to £15,000 (£30,000 for mini-buses)
- Rolling applications accepted year-round
- Processed as received
Major Grants
- £15,001 to £50,000
- Considered at annual March Trustee Meeting
- Only one application per year permitted
- Must follow published timetables
Capital Grants
- Over £50,000 with no upper limit
- Can span multiple grant years
- For significant infrastructure projects
Operational Welfare Grants
- Variable amounts
- Emergency applications accepted anytime
- Highest priority for personnel deployed in emergencies
Special Grants
- Discretionary allocations
- Address unforeseen requirements
Priority Areas
- Recreational facilities for Regular and Reserve Armed Forces
- Sports facilities and equipment
- Welfare amenities enhancing service life quality
- Projects benefiting maximum number of personnel
- Support for smaller sports associations and groups
- Facilities in isolated or remote locations
- Equipment and infrastructure with lasting benefit
What They Don't Fund
- Individual benevolence or personal financial assistance
- Support for ex-servicemen/women (must be actively serving)
- Cadet forces
- Projects covered by public funding
- Activities outside recreational and welfare remit
- Direct support to service members' dependants (though indirect benefits permitted)
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Governance and Leadership
The Trust is governed by six trustees who serve without remuneration. The Duke of Westminster has historically held the Chairman position—the 6th Duke (Gerald Grosvenor) served from 1992 until his death in 2016, with the title passing to the current 7th Duke (Hugh Grosvenor). The charity employs just one staff member, maintaining extremely low administrative costs to maximize grant distribution.
The Trust's founding vision came from Lord Nuffield's letter to the Secretary of State for War on May 27, 1939, expressing his desire “to contribute towards the comfort and well-being of those serving the country.” The Trust Deed was formalized on October 14, 1939.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Critical: Applications cannot be submitted directly to the Trust's General Secretary. All applications must go through official Service channels:
- Royal Navy: Contact anne.carr@rnrmc.org.uk for guidance on application procedures
- Army: Contact RC-Pers-WelFunds-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk for application instructions
- RAF: Contact Air-People-PFSpt-AccnWelDelMlbx@mod.gov.uk for application procedures
Each service branch has specific publications and guidelines detailing their internal application process.
Eligibility
All Ships, Units, Stations, Establishments, and similar organizations within the Armed Forces are automatically entitled to apply on behalf of:
- Regular serving members
- Reserve Forces members with operational commitment
Decision Timeline
- Minor Grants: Processed on rolling basis throughout the year
- Major Grants: Reviewed annually at March Trustee Meeting
- Capital Grants: Variable timeline; can be considered over multiple years
- Operational Welfare Grants: Expedited review for emergency situations
Success Rates
Success rate data is not publicly available. The Trust distributed £2,062,900 in grants during 2023 across multiple grant categories.
Reapplication Policy
No specific reapplication policy information is publicly available. Major grant applications are limited to once per year in accordance with published timetables.
Application Success Factors
Priority Considerations
The Trust explicitly favors applications that:
- Benefit the maximum number of service personnel
- Support smaller sports associations and groups that may lack alternative funding sources
- Serve isolated or remote locations where recreational facilities may be limited
- Support personnel deployed in emergency operations (highest priority)
- Provide lasting benefit rather than consumable or short-term solutions
Application Approach
- Work through your Service's official channels—this is mandatory, not optional
- Consult service-specific publications and guidelines before preparing applications
- Emphasize how the project fills gaps not covered by public funding
- Demonstrate broad benefit to unit/station personnel
- Highlight lasting impact and long-term value
- For major grants, ensure you understand the annual cycle and timing requirements
- For remote or deployed units, emphasize the unique challenges and lack of alternatives
Historical Context
The Trust has supported Armed Forces through WWII, Malaya, Korea, the Falklands, Gulf Wars, Afghanistan, Iraq, and numerous other operations. This legacy demonstrates commitment to serving personnel in all circumstances, particularly during operational deployments.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Mandatory routing: You cannot apply directly—all applications must go through official Service channels (Royal Navy, Army, or RAF contacts)
- Grant tiers matter: Understand the difference between minor grants (rolling, up to £15k) and major grants (annual March review, £15k-£50k) to target the right category
- Maximize impact: Projects benefiting the most personnel receive priority—demonstrate broad reach and lasting value
- Fill the gap: The Trust exists to fund what public resources don't cover; clearly articulate why this isn't publicly funded
- Timing is critical: For major grants exceeding £15,000, you get one shot per year at the March meeting—plan accordingly
- Emergency support available: Operational welfare grants can be processed anytime for personnel in emergency deployments
- No individual support: This is exclusively for units/establishments providing facilities, not for individual service members' personal needs
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References
- Nuffield Trust for the Forces of the Crown official website: https://www.nuffieldtrust.org/
- Nuffield Trust for the Forces of the Crown Grants page: https://www.nuffieldtrust.org/grants.htm
- UK Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 210829: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/210829
- Charity Choice Directory - Nuffield Trust for the Forces of the Crown: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/nuffield-trust-for-the-forces-of-the-crown-156743
- Historical reference: “The First Fifty Years” by Air Chief Marshal Sir David Lee (1989)
- 2023 Financial data from UK Charity Commission: Total income £121,177; Total expenditure £2,014,152; Grant allocation £2,062,900