Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust

Charity Number: 280711

Geographic Focus: Dorset

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Quick Stats

Annual Income: £83,525 (FY ending 30 September 2023)
Annual Expenditure: £343,419 (FY ending 30 September 2023)
Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (emergency Chairman's Grant available between meetings)
Grant Range: Small individual grants to major grants for local organisations
Geographic Focus: Shaftesbury, Dorset and surrounding districts
Application Method: Rolling basis (quarterly decisions)

Contact Details

Website: www.shaftesburytrinitycentretrust.co.uk

Email:

Phone: 07840 037828

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

Charity Number: 280711

Overview

The Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust was established in 1979/1980 to support the conversion of Holy Trinity Church in Bimport, Shaftesbury, which was made redundant in 1974. 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, distributing any surplus funds to the local community. In the financial year ending 30 September 2023, the Trust had annual income of £83,525 and expenditure of £343,419. 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.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community and Individual Grants: Rolling applications (quarterly decisions)

Major grants to local organisations (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 organisations in the area
Individuals in Need: Assistance for local residents facing hardship (through professional referral only)

Past funding has supported elderly care facilities including Castle Hill House, The Cedars, and dementia units.

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: The Trust has 5 trustees who are 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.

How to Apply to Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust

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 (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 emphasises 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 organisations and smaller donations for individual needs, 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
No retrospective funding: Apply before incurring costs—the Trust will not reimburse expenses already paid