R. Daphne Plunket Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £156,283 (expenditure) / £125,419 (income) for year ending 31 March 2024
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 1 month from quarterly deadline
• Grant Range: Up to £500 (for organizational grants through Small Grants Scheme)
• Geographic Focus: Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

Contact Details

Administrator: Charity Link

• Address: Trust Administration, Charity Link, 20a Millstone Lane, Leicester, LE1 5JN
• Phone: 0116 222 2200
• Email: trustadmin@charity-link.org
• Website: https://charity-link.org/trust-administration/charities-we-administer/r-daphne-plunket-charitable-trust/

Overview

The R. Daphne Plunket Charitable Trust (Charity Number: 1105818) is a Leicester-based grant-making charity that provides financial assistance to people living in Leicestershire and Rutland who are experiencing financial need, hardship or distress. The trust operates through Charity Link, a professional trust administration service founded in 1876. The trust makes grants to both individuals and charitable organizations, with organizational grants administered through the Charity Link Small Grants Scheme alongside two other trusts (Leicester Indigent Old Age Society and the Mansion Trust UK). The trust is governed by 8 trustees who receive no remuneration, and reported total income of £125,419 and expenditure of £156,283 for the financial year ending 31 March 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants

• Grant amounts: Not specified
• Application method: Through Charity Link's Application Form
• Purpose: To assist individuals of any age experiencing financial need, hardship or distress
• Eligibility: Must live in Leicestershire or Rutland

Organizational Grants (Small Grants Scheme)

• Grant amounts: Up to £500 (most grants £100-£300)
• Application method: Quarterly deadlines (April, July, October, January)
• Purpose: To assist charities and voluntary groups supporting people in need
• Eligibility: Registered charities or organizations with a governing document operating in Leicester, Leicestershire, or Rutland

Priority Areas

The trust supports organizations and individuals 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

• Grants to individuals (through the Small Grants Scheme - use individual application route instead)
• Community Interest Companies (CICs) - unlikely to receive funding as they don't normally meet requirements for charitable organizations
• Organizations outside Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland
• Multiple grants to the same organization within one financial year
• Payments to third parties on behalf of applicants (grants usually only paid directly to the applicant organization)
• Projects in Northamptonshire (currently no funds available for this area)

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by 8 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The trust has no trading subsidiaries and no employees with benefits over £60,000. Specific trustee names are not publicly available on the Charity Commission register.

The trust is professionally administered by Charity Link, which has over 140 years of knowledge in the voluntary sector, charity administration and grant distribution. Charity Link administers the trust on behalf of the trustees, managing the application process, assessment, and distribution of grants.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individuals:

Applications must be made through Charity Link using their Application Form. Contact Charity Link directly at trustadmin@charity-link.org or 0116 222 2200 to request the form.

For Organizations (Small Grants Scheme):

1. Submit completed application by email to trustadmin@charity-link.org or post to: Trust Administration, Charity Link, 20a Millstone Lane, Leicester, LE1 5JN
2. Apply at least 2 months in advance of your project start date

Decision Timeline

• Applications are considered four times per year at quarterly meetings in April, July, October, and January
• Contact the Trust Administration team for specific deadline dates for each quarter
• Charity Link aims to process applications within 1 month of the deadline
• If unsuccessful, applicants receive a letter explaining the main reason(s) for rejection

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. However, applicants are advised that they can reapply at any time if unsuccessful, provided they address the reason(s) given for the initial rejection.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can reapply at any time after an unsuccessful application, but must address the reason(s) for being unsuccessful in their previous application. However, only one grant can be awarded to any one organization within a financial year, so successful applicants must wait until the next financial year before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Priorities

Ensure your project clearly demonstrates how it addresses relief of poverty, hardship and distress, physical or mental illness, education for people in need, or support for people aged over 60 in Leicester, Leicestershire, or Rutland.

Timing and Planning

Submit your application at least 2 months before your project start date to allow for processing and decision-making through the quarterly review cycle.

Documentation

Include complete and accurate supporting documents, particularly your most recent annual accounts. Organizations must demonstrate charitable status either through a charity number or by providing a copy of their governing document.

Clear Project Costs

The scheme can fund either specific project costs or operational costs. Be clear about what the grant will fund and how the maximum £500 (or likely £100-£300) will make a difference to people in financial need.

Evidence of Need

Demonstrate clear evidence of the need your project addresses within the geographic area of Leicestershire and Rutland. Show how beneficiaries are experiencing financial need, hardship or distress.

Financial Management

While not explicitly stated, funders generally want evidence that you can manage a grant responsibly. Ensure your application demonstrates sound financial planning and accountability.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only organizations working in Leicester, Leicestershire, or Rutland are eligible - projects in Northamptonshire are currently not funded
• Small grants only: With a maximum of £500 and most grants in the £100-£300 range, this is appropriate for small, targeted projects or contributions to operational costs
• Plan ahead: With quarterly deadlines and a 2-month advance application requirement, you need to plan at least 3 months ahead of your project start date
• One grant per year rule: You can only receive one grant per financial year, so make it count and don't reapply until the next financial year
• Focus on poverty relief: All funded work must relate to relieving poverty, hardship, distress, illness, or supporting education for those in need or people over 60
• Professional administration: Charity Link's experienced team provides clear guidance and feedback, so don't hesitate to contact them with questions at 0116 222 2200 or trustadmin@charity-link.org
• Reapplication is possible: If unsuccessful, you can reapply at any time once you've addressed the feedback provided

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Leicester Charity Organisation Society (Charity Link)
• THE FLORENCE TURNER TRUST
• THE J REGINALD CORAH FOUNDATION FUND
• Edith Murphy Foundation
• THE SOLE 2 SOUL FOUNDATION
• The David Wilson Foundation
• J N Derbyshire Trust
• The Carlton Hayes Mental Health Charity
• THE EVESON TRUST
• Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Community Foundation

References

1. Charity Commission Register - R. Daphne Plunket Charitable Trust (1105818). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3997033

1. Charity Link - R Daphne Plunket Charitable Trust. https://charity-link.org/trust-administration/charities-we-administer/r-daphne-plunket-charitable-trust/

1. Charity Link - Small Grants Scheme. https://charity-link.org/trust-administration/charity-link-small-grants-scheme/

1. Charity Link - Small Grants Scheme Guidelines for Applicants. https://charity-link.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Small-Grants-Scheme-Guidelines-updated-July-2022.pdf

1. Charity Link - About Us. https://charity-link.org/about-us/

1. Charity Link - Trust Administration Service. https://charity-link.org/trust-administration/