Postcode Care Trust

Charity Number: CUSTOM_89F7DAD8

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed (portfolio includes grants totaling millions across 11+ charities)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only model)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (proactive selection process)
  • Grant Range: Multi-year partnerships ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions
  • Geographic Focus: England, Scotland, and Wales
  • Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Contact Details

Address: 28 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4ET

Email: info@postcodecaretrust.org.uk

Website: www.postcodecaretrust.org.uk

Charity Registration: Scottish Charity SC042667; Company SC407953

Overview

Postcode Care Trust was established in 2011 as one of 20 postcode trusts managed by People's Postcode Lottery. The Trust operates its own society lottery and receives all funding from players of People's Postcode Lottery. With a mission to “improve the health and lives of communities,” Postcode Care Trust provides multi-year funding partnerships to charities working across Great Britain that actively improve the lives and health of children, young people, and communities. The Trust currently supports 11 major charities including Alzheimer's Society (£3.25 million), Carers Trust (£5.55 million), Trussell (£3.725 million), and Breast Cancer Now (£4.5 million). Unlike traditional grant makers, Postcode Care Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Instead, they proactively identify gaps in their funding portfolio, research potential beneficiaries, and invite selected charities to apply for long-term partnerships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Postcode Care Trust operates a strategic partnership model rather than open grant programs:

  • Multi-Year Partnerships: Long-term funding relationships (examples include 8+ years with Carers Trust)
  • Grant Amounts: Partnerships range from hundreds of thousands to millions of pounds over multiple years
  • Application Method: Invitation only - charities cannot apply unsolicited

Current Portfolio (11 Funded Charities)

  1. Alzheimer's Society (£3.25 million raised to date)
  2. Asthma + Lung UK
  3. Breast Cancer Now (£4.5 million raised to date)
  4. Carers Trust (£5.55 million since 2017)
  5. Dementia Adventure
  6. Hospice UK (£1.45 million, with £500,000 new award in 2024)
  7. Maggie's
  8. Mind
  9. Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
  10. Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA)
  11. Trussell (£3.725 million raised to date)
  12. Young Lives vs Cancer

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Activities that advance health
  • Support for those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
  • Projects that improve the lives of children and young people
  • Strengthening communities

Thematic Areas (Based on Current Portfolio):

  • Health conditions and medical support (cancer, dementia, respiratory, sight loss)
  • Unpaid carers support
  • Food poverty and hunger
  • Mental health
  • Emergency services (air ambulance)

Geographic Coverage

England, Scotland, and Wales (where People's Postcode Lottery players live)

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but based on their model:

  • Organizations outside Great Britain
  • Causes not aligned with health and community wellbeing
  • Short-term or project-specific funding (they prefer long-term partnerships)
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Ian Dommett

  • Background: Over 30 years in advertising and marketing communications
  • Experience with commercial, public sector, and charity clients
  • Currently runs a B&B near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland

John Herriman

  • Current Role: CEO of Chartered Trading Standards Institute
  • Previous Roles: National Emergencies Trust, Greenhouse Sports
  • Passion: Addressing societal inequality

Lynne Bell

  • Qualified accountant with 20 years in charity sector
  • Current Role: Finance Manager at social housing provider in Edinburgh
  • Additional Role: Trustee with Royal Zoological Society of Edinburgh
  • Expertise: Finance, governance, and audit inspections

Douglas Parkhill

  • Chartered accountant
  • Previous Roles: Finance Director at Missing People, Black & Edgington, and Vango
  • Achievement: Named Company Secretary of the Year 2011 for non-profit sector

Liz Tait

  • Professional fundraiser for over 20 years
  • Current Role: Director of Fundraising at Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity
  • Previous Roles: Senior positions at Teenage Cancer Trust, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, British Red Cross
  • Additional: Trustee and fellow of Institute of Fundraising

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: Postcode Care Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

The Trust operates a proactive selection model:

  1. Portfolio Review: When opportunities arise to add new beneficiaries, the Trust team identifies gaps in their current funding portfolio aligned with their strategy and sector needs
  • Impact and track record
  • Financial stability
  • Thematic focus alignment
  • Geographic coverage
  1. Assessment: Shortlisted beneficiaries are assessed by the Trust Team in person and presented to the Board of Trustees
  1. Invitation to Apply: Approved charities are invited to formally apply and present their application in person to the Board
  1. Ongoing Requirements: Funded partners must provide quarterly progress reports and work with the communications team to publicize the relationship

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - organizations do not apply; they are approached by the Trust

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only model

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the Trust maintains long-term partnerships with selected charities rather than operating application rounds

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not a Traditional Funder: Postcode Care Trust does not accept applications, so traditional grant writing strategies do not apply
  • Focus on Organizational Development: Build your charity's national presence, financial stability, and demonstrated impact rather than crafting applications
  • Long-term Partnership Model: This funder seeks ongoing relationships with major charities, not project-specific grants
  • Alternative Routes: If your organization is smaller or regional, investigate other People's Postcode Lottery trusts that DO accept open applications
  • Network in the Sector: Being known and respected in your thematic area (health, care, etc.) increases the chances of being identified during the Trust's research phase
  • Strategic Alignment: Ensure your charity clearly addresses health, community wellbeing, children, or young people - the Trust's core priorities
  • Document Everything: Strong annual reports, impact data, and financial transparency will serve you well if the Trust conducts due diligence on your organization

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