Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £282,852 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: 2-12 weeks (quarterly review cycle)
• Grant Range: £50 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: Sheffield (city boundary only)

Contact Details

Website: www.sgsef.org.uk

Email: sue.greaves@wrigleys.co.uk (also SheffieldGrammarSchool@wrigleys.co.uk)

Phone: 0114 267 5588 (Sue Greaves) / 0114 267 5596 (Gillian Mills, Charity Administrator)

Address: Wrigleys Solicitors LLP, Derwent House, 150 Arundel Gate, Sheffield S1 2FN

Application forms available for download from website in Word format (separate forms for individuals and organisations). Large print versions available on request.

Overview

Established in 1969 from endowments dating back to 1604, the Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation has been supporting Sheffield residents for over 400 years. The Foundation uses its income to provide educational grants to individuals and organisations within Sheffield. Despite its name, there is no current link to grammar schools in general or to any school in particular - the reference is purely historical. With an annual giving of approximately £282,852 (2023-24) and total income of £179,134, the Foundation has helped hundreds of individuals and groups over the years. The charity is governed by trustees from Sheffield City Council, Sheffield College, and the University of Sheffield, meeting quarterly to review applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single discretionary grant program with applications accepted on a rolling basis:

• Individual Grants: £50 - £5,000 for educational purposes
• Organisational Grants: £50 - £5,000 for organisations supporting Sheffield residents' educational needs
• Application Method: Rolling applications reviewed quarterly (March, June, September, December meetings)

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports a broad range of educational purposes:

• Further and Higher Education: Scholarships, maintenance allowances, and course fees for school, college, and university students
• Educational Equipment and Materials: Specialist clothing, equipment, books, and course materials
• Travel for Education: Educational trips, field trips, medical electives, gap year educational projects, study abroad expenses
• Skills Development: Professional training and vocational courses
• Arts and Culture: Music education, dramatic training, musical theatre projects
• Sport and Recreation: Sporting activities, training facilities, competition participation
• Specialist Support: Dyslexia support, childcare costs enabling study, learning support services

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation requires:

• Applicants must have lived within Sheffield's administrative boundary for at least 3 years
• Grants must relate to educational needs (broadly defined to include sports, arts, music, drama)
• Recipients cannot reapply for at least one year after receiving a grant

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Foundation is governed by trustees drawn from:

• Sheffield City Council
• Sheffield College
• University of Sheffield

Historical trustees have included Professor J Clyde G Binfield, Mr D F Booker, Mrs Joy Peters, Mr J W Stephenson, Mrs P A Foster, Mrs M J Cousins, Very Reverend P Bradley, Mr J Boulton, Professor M Bateman, and Mr J Brayshaw.

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Administration

The Foundation is administered by Wrigleys Solicitors LLP, with Mrs Gillian Mills serving as Charity Administrator.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Submit to Wrigleys Solicitors at address above

Applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis.

Decision Timeline

• Governors' Meetings: Quarterly (March, June, September, December)
• Review Process: Applications considered at the next quarterly meeting after submission
• Notification: Written notification of decision within two weeks of the meeting
• Overall Timeline: 2-12 weeks depending on submission timing relative to quarterly meetings

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publish application statistics or success rates. However, the charity reports having “helped many hundreds of individuals and groups” over the years, suggesting a reasonable approval rate for eligible Sheffield residents.

Reapplication Policy

Recipients cannot reapply for at least one year after receiving a grant. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply at any time.

Application Success Factors

Recent Grant Examples

The Foundation has awarded grants for diverse purposes, including:

• £1,100 to a 16-year-old drama student in London for travel expenses to return home to Sheffield for hospital visits
• £600 to a 30-year-old studying a Language Course at Sheffield City College for childcare fees
• £600 to a 9-year-old attending weekly English and Maths lessons at a Sheffield Dyslexia Organisation for an academic year
• £2,000 to a Martial Arts Group from Sheffield to represent Great Britain in World Championships in Italy
• £1,500 to a Musical Theatre Company/Charity to support early years music education across Sheffield
• £400 to a Sheffield choir (singers aged 11-18) to subsidize members attending festival in London
• £200 to a 23-year-old volunteering in Nepal through International Citizen Service

Key Success Factors

1. Sheffield Residency: Must have lived within Sheffield's administrative boundary for at least 3 years. If studying elsewhere temporarily, main residence must be in Sheffield.
2. Financial Need: The Foundation prioritizes those “in need of financial assistance” - clearly demonstrate financial need in applications.
3. Educational Purpose: Broadly defined to include traditional education, vocational training, arts, sports, music, and drama.
4. Detailed Applications: Complete the application form fully with specific costs, budgets, and clear explanations of how the grant will be used.
5. References: Include appropriate references to support the application.
6. Discretionary Grants: All grants are awarded at the discretion of the Governors, so tailor applications to demonstrate genuine educational benefit and financial need.

Application Tips

• Be specific about costs and provide detailed budgets
• Explain clearly why the funding is needed and how it will support educational advancement
• Include evidence of financial need
• Provide context about the broader educational goals or career aspirations
• For organisations, demonstrate how the grant will benefit Sheffield residents
• Don't wait for deadlines - applications are accepted year-round

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Rolling Applications: Apply at any time - no fixed deadlines, but plan for quarterly review cycles
• Broad Educational Remit: “Educational” is interpreted broadly to include sports, arts, music, and drama alongside traditional academic pursuits
• Sheffield-Focused: Three-year residency requirement is strict - only Sheffield residents qualify
• Wide Grant Range: Grants from £50 to £5,000 mean both small equipment needs and substantial training costs can be supported
• One-Year Rule: Cannot receive another grant within one year, so ensure applications request sufficient funding for the period
• Financial Need Matters: The Foundation explicitly prioritizes those “in need of financial assistance” - demonstrate genuine need
• Detail is Critical: Complete applications with specific costs, budgets, and clear explanations perform better than vague requests

References

1. Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation official website. Available at: https://sgsef.org.uk/ (Accessed: January 2025)
2. Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation - About Us. Available at: https://sgsef.org.uk/about-us/ (Accessed: January 2025)
3. Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation - History. Available at: https://sgsef.org.uk/history/ (Accessed: January 2025)
4. Charity Commission for England and Wales. Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation (Charity Number 529372). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=529372 (Accessed: January 2025)
5. OpenCharities. Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation. Available at: http://opencharities.org/charities/529372 (Accessed: January 2025)
6. Turn2us Grants Search. The Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation. Available at: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-sheffield-grammar-school-exhibition-foundation-15414 (Accessed: January 2025)