Rosca Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £200,977 (2024/25)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 1-2 months (meetings held January, May, September)
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (standard grants); up to £750 (City Day grants)
• Geographic Focus: Southend-on-Sea, Rochford, and Castle Point (Essex)

Contact Details

• Address: 1 Moat End, Thorpe Bay, Essex SS1 3QA
• Email: roscatrust@gmail.com
• Phone: 07768870316
• Website: www.roscatrust.org.uk

Overview

Established in 1966 by the late William Thorby, a well-known Thorpe Bay builder, the ROSCA Trust (registered 1969) is a local grant-making trust serving the communities of Southend-on-Sea, Rochford, and Castle Point in Essex. With an annual grant distribution of approximately £200,977, the Trust focuses on supporting registered charities and Community Interest Companies working with vulnerable populations including young people, the elderly, disabled individuals, ethnic groups, asylum seekers, and refugees. The Trust explicitly encourages applications from organizations seeking to “pump prime” new charities. The Trustees particularly favor small, grassroots organizations but will consider applications from larger groups. The Trust does not make ongoing support commitments, preferring instead to fund specific projects, equipment needs, capital projects, and refurbishments.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grants: Up to £5,000

• No standard application form required
• Applications submitted by post
• Three funding rounds per year (January, May, September)
• Rolling basis - applications accepted year-round but must arrive by end of previous month for consideration at next meeting

City Day Grant: Up to £750

• Special program supporting community groups celebrating Southend City Day
• Example activities include youth artistic workshops and coffee mornings for isolated elderly residents

Priority Areas

The Trust supports organizations working with:

• Young people
• Elderly populations
• Disabled individuals
• Disadvantaged groups
• Ethnic groups
• Asylum seekers and refugees
• Social welfare and local community initiatives

Funding Preferences:

• Specific projects or equipment needs
• Capital projects
• Refurbishments or adaptations (especially for disabled access needs)
• “Pump priming” for new charities

What They Don't Fund

• Ongoing support commitments or core funding
• Individuals (only registered charities or CICs eligible)
• Organizations outside Castle Point, Rochford, and Southend-on-Sea local authority areas
• Lower Priority: Administration and salary costs

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Judith Isabelle Bailey - Appointed September 2019
• Anthony David Quinn - Appointed October 2018
• Christine Pamela Sternshine - Appointed September 2016
• Nigel James Gayner - Appointed February 2014

Founding

Founded by William Thorby, a local Thorpe Bay builder, in 1966 to support charitable work in the local community.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

No standard application form - applications must be submitted in writing by post to:

The ROSCA Trust

1 Moat End

Thorpe Bay

Essex SS1 3QA

Required Information:

1. Detailed project description with costings
2. Amount of funding requested
3. Organization's latest balance sheet (if applicable)
4. Bank account details (sort code and account number)
5. Contact information (name, address, phone number, email)

Decision Timeline

Trustee Meetings: Three times per year in January, May, and September

Application Deadlines: Applications must be received by post by the end of the previous month to be considered at the next meeting.

Processing Time: Approximately 1-2 months from submission to decision (depending on when application is received relative to next meeting date)

Reapplication Policy

• Only one application per organization at a time
• Only one application within a 12-month period

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Organizational Profile:

• The Trustees are particularly interested in small, grassroots organizations, though larger groups are also considered
• Being based in or working in Castle Point, Rochford, or Southend-on-Sea is essential

Project Focus:

• Applications for specific, tangible outcomes (equipment, capital projects, refurbishments) are preferred over requests for ongoing costs
• Projects addressing disabled access needs or adaptations are explicitly mentioned as priorities
• “Pump priming” applications for new charities are encouraged

Budget and Costs:

• Keep grant requests realistic and within the £5,000 maximum
• Note that administration and salary costs are lower priority - structure your application to emphasize project delivery and tangible outcomes
• Provide detailed costings to demonstrate value for money

Application Quality:

• Include your organization's latest balance sheet to demonstrate financial stability
• Provide comprehensive project descriptions with clear costings
• Ensure bank details are accurate for electronic transfers
• Submit well in advance of meeting deadlines to ensure consideration

Geographic Connection:

• Must be a registered charity or CIC based in or working within the three local authority areas
• Organizations outside this geographic area will not be considered

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small and local wins: The Trust explicitly favors small, grassroots organizations in Southend-on-Sea, Rochford, and Castle Point - emphasize your local roots and community connections
• Project-specific funding: Focus applications on specific equipment, capital projects, or refurbishments rather than core costs or salaries, which are lower priority
• Plan ahead: With only three meetings per year (January, May, September), timing is critical - submit by month-end before your target meeting
• One shot per year: You can only apply once every 12 months, so make your application count with detailed costings and clear project outcomes
• Pump priming opportunity: If you're a new charity, highlight this - the Trust actively encourages pump-priming applications
• Disabled access priority: Projects involving adaptations for disabled individuals are explicitly prioritized - emphasize this angle if relevant
• No resubmissions: Ensure your application is complete and compelling the first time, as you cannot have multiple applications in process simultaneously

References

• ROSCA Trust official website: https://www.roscatrust.org.uk/
• ROSCA Trust “About Us” page: https://www.roscatrust.org.uk/about-us/
• ROSCA Trust “How to Apply” page: https://www.roscatrust.org.uk/how-to-apply/
• Charity Commission Register - ROSCA Trust (259907): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/259907
• Charity Commission Trustees page: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/259907/trustees
• SAVS Southend - Rosca Trust Directory Entry: https://www.savs-southend.org/community-support-directory/rosca-trust/
• Giving is Great - ROSCA Trust Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org.uk/charity-factsheet/?regNo=259907