Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £91,933 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £81,286 (2024)
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (14 working days notification)
• Grant Range: Small individual grants to major grants for local organizations
• Geographic Focus: Shaftesbury, Dorset and surrounding districts
• Application Method: Rolling basis (quarterly decisions)

Contact Details

Website: www.shaftesburytrinitycentretrust.com (also www.shaftesburytrinitycentretrust.co.uk)

Email:

• sophiefranks@btinternet.com
• shaftesburytrinitycentretrust@gmail.com

Phone: 07840 037828 (also listed: 01747 826656)

Address: The Old Barn, Madjeston, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5JH

Charity Number: 280711

Overview

Established in 1974, the Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust was founded to support the conversion of Holy Trinity Church in Bimport, Shaftesbury, which was declared redundant in 1977. The Trust operates the former church building as a community hub, now serving as headquarters for Shaftesbury Scout Group, a Day Centre for the elderly, and three small businesses. The Trust generates income through leasing arrangements, hall hire, and car parking (40 spaces), distributing any surplus funds to the local community. With annual income of £91,933 and expenditure of £81,286 (2024), the Trust makes grants to worthwhile causes supporting individuals in need and local community groups. The Trust has historically supported significant projects including Castle Hill House and The Cedars (care facilities for the elderly) and a special dementia unit. Recent major grant recipients include Shaftesbury Arts Theatre and Shaftesbury Museum, alongside smaller grants for individual needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community and Individual Grants: Rolling applications (quarterly decisions)

• Major grants to local organizations (amounts not publicly specified)
• Smaller grants for individuals in need
• Emergency Chairman's Grant available between quarterly meetings for urgent cases

Application Method:

• Quarterly trustee meetings for standard applications
• Special Chairman's grant mechanism for emergencies between meetings
• Rolling application submissions via email or post

Priority Areas

The Trust's charitable objectives focus on:

• Elderly Care and Support: Special regard to the needs of elderly residents in Shaftesbury and surrounding areas
• Community Benefit: Promoting any charitable purposes for the benefit of the Shaftesbury community
• Scout Group Support: Providing headquarters facilities for Shaftesbury Scout Group
• Local Charities and Associations: Supporting other charitable organizations in the area
• Individuals in Need: Assistance for local residents facing hardship (through professional referral only)

Past funding has supported:

• Elderly care facilities (Castle Hill House, The Cedars, dementia units)
• Cultural organizations (Shaftesbury Arts Theatre, Shaftesbury Museum)
• Individual emergency needs

What They Don't Fund

• Retrospective grants: Funds will not be paid for costs already incurred
• Direct payments to individuals: Grants are not paid directly to individual applicants
• Applications from outside geographic area: Applicants must be living in Shaftesbury or surrounding district

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (5 trustees):

1. Antony Streets - Appointed February 2024
2. Alistair Morgan - Appointed May 2016
3. John Cyril Parker - Appointed November 2014 (also trustee of The Wrightson Allotments)
4. Trudie Stanley - Appointed November 2014 (also trustee of John Foyle's Charity)
5. Duncan Weir - Appointed November 2014

The Board of Trustees is responsible for controlling the work, management, and administration of the charity on behalf of its beneficiaries. No trustees receive remuneration or payments from the charity. The Trust has no employees earning over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications require completion of all sections of the Trust's application form, available for download from their website.

Required Documentation:

• Completed application form with all sections filled
• Professional support from a relevant professional (GP, social worker, etc.)
• Supporting paperwork for the activity or a copy of quotation
• Signed declaration form

Submission Methods:

• Email: sophiefranks@btinternet.com
• Post: Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust c/o The Old Barn, Madjeston, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5JH

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be living in Shaftesbury in the County of Dorset and the district surrounding Shaftesbury
• Must have support from a relevant professional (GP, social worker, etc.)
• Cannot apply for retrospective funding

Decision Timeline

• Quarterly Trustee Meetings: Standard applications reviewed at quarterly meetings
• Emergency Process: Chairman's grant available between meetings for urgent cases
• Notification: Applicants informed of results within 14 working days (by email or telephone)

Success Rates

Success rate information is not publicly available. The Trust states “all grants are dependant on available funding.”

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not specified. The Trustees' decision is final for each application.

Application Success Factors

Professional Support is Mandatory

The Trust explicitly requires applications to be supported by a relevant professional such as a GP or social worker. This professional endorsement is a critical component of the application.

Documentation is Key

Applications must include supporting paperwork or quotations. The Trust emphasizes the need to “complete all sections of the application form,” suggesting thoroughness is valued.

Geographic Eligibility

Applicants must demonstrate residency in Shaftesbury or the surrounding district. This is a firm eligibility criterion.

Alignment with Elderly Focus

While the Trust supports various community causes, they have “special regard to the needs of the elderly.” Applications that align with elderly care and support may receive particular consideration given the Trust's stated priorities and historical funding patterns (Castle Hill House, The Cedars, dementia unit).

Timing Considerations

For urgent needs, applicants should inquire about the Chairman's emergency grant process rather than waiting for the quarterly meeting cycle.

Realistic Funding Requests

The Trust makes both “major grants” to organizations like Shaftesbury Arts Theatre and Museum, and “smaller donations for the needs of the individual,” suggesting they tailor grant amounts to the scale of need and type of applicant.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity is critical: Only Shaftesbury and surrounding districts are eligible—this is non-negotiable
• Professional referral is mandatory: Budget time to secure support from a GP, social worker, or similar professional before applying
• Documentation matters: Provide comprehensive supporting paperwork or quotations; incomplete applications are unlikely to succeed
• Emergency mechanism exists: For urgent needs, contact the Trust about the Chairman's grant rather than waiting for quarterly meetings
• Elderly-focused projects have clear alignment: While broader community projects are funded, the Trust has “special regard” for elderly needs
• Plan for quarterly cycle: Standard applications are reviewed quarterly, so allow adequate time (14 working days notification post-decision)
• No retrospective funding: Apply before incurring costs—the Trust will not reimburse expenses already paid

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Elmgrant Trust
• THE VALENTINE CHARITABLE TRUST
• TALBOT VILLAGE TRUST
• The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust
• The Eight Foundation
• The Burry Charitable Trust
• PAYNE GALLWEY 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST
• Hays Travel Foundation
• The Pople Charitable Trust
• Erskine Muton Trust Fund

References

1. Charity Commission Register - Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust (280711)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=280711

1. Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust Website - Grant Applications

https://www.shaftesburytrinitycentretrust.co.uk/grant-applications

1. Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust Website - Main Site

https://shaftesburytrinitycentretrust.com

1. Charity Commission - Trustee Information (280711)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/280711/trustees