Sheffield Town Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £433,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (supports ~140 organisations annually)
• Decision Time: 6-10 weeks from deadline
• Grant Range: £500 - £3,000 (typical); few hundred to several thousand pounds possible
• Geographic Focus: City of Sheffield only
• Subscription List: £6,000 over 3 years for core costs

Contact Details

Website: www.sheffieldtowntrust.org

Email: sheffieldtowntrust2@knightsplc.com

Phone: 0114 276 5555

Charity Number: 223760

Overview

Sheffield Town Trust, established in 1297, is one of England's oldest charitable organisations. Originally known as the Burgery of Sheffield, the Trust has been supporting the people of Sheffield for over 700 years. With an annual expenditure of approximately £433,000 (2024), the Trust uses income from a portfolio of property and investments to support around 140 local charities, groups, and organisations each year. The Trust's charitable objects are “charitable and public uses within the city of Sheffield.” Notable assets include ownership of Sheffield Botanical Gardens (since 1898) and the centre of Paradise Square. Governed by 13 volunteer trustees headed by the Town Collector (the historical name for the Chairman), with George Connell of Keebles LLP serving as Law Clerk for around 30 years. The Trust operates two distinct funding streams: quarterly one-off grants for projects and a three-year subscription list for core running costs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

One-Off Project Grants: £500 - £3,000 (typical range)

• Rolling quarterly deadlines: 15th January, 15th April, 15th July, 15th October (12 noon)
• Grants range from a few hundred pounds to several thousand depending on merit and available funds
• Online application via website with supporting documents required

Subscription List: £6,000 total over 3 years

• Supports core running costs of local charities and organisations
• Provides committed funding certainty over three-year period
• Not for one-off projects
• Next application window opens periodically (check website)

Priority Areas

The Trust funds organisations, charities, and groups whose objectives help Sheffield and its citizens, including:

• Elderly support: Running costs for groups serving older people
• Youth services: Activities and costs for children and young people
• Arts and culture: Cultural activities and events
• Disability support: Groups serving people with disabilities
• Sports: Community sports initiatives
• Community events: Annual and one-off events throughout the city
• Built heritage: Protecting Sheffield's historic buildings and environment
• Rural environment: Environmental conservation projects
• Premises refurbishment: Vital refurbishment costs for charitable organisations

Recent grant recipients include Sheffield Children's Hospital, St Luke's Hospice, Fareshare Yorkshire, Whirlow Hall Farm (£3,500), and Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust (£16,000 for composting bays with Cutlers' Company).

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals: The Trust is not empowered to make grants to individuals
• National organisations: Only funded if the grant will be used exclusively in Sheffield or for Sheffield residents' benefit
• Repeat applications: Will not normally accept further applications from successful applicants until 2 years have passed
• Organisations outside Sheffield: Must work for the benefit of the city of Sheffield

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Governance and Leadership

Structure: 13 volunteer trustees headed by the Town Collector (Chairman), with administration overseen by the Law Clerk

Town Collector: Penny Jewitt became the first female Town Collector in 2014 (historical title for Chairman)

Law Clerk: George Connell, consultant solicitor at Keebles LLP, has served for approximately 30 years providing extensive charities work experience

Trustee Responsibilities: Trustees attend four meetings annually and assess 2-3 applications per meeting, preparing short written reports with recommendations. The Trust encourages trustees to visit applicants' premises when relevant to assess suitability.

How to Apply to Sheffield Town Trust

How to Apply

Application Method: Online application form via www.sheffieldtowntrust.org with supporting documents

Required Documents:

• Details of your organisation
• Outline of your project
• Most recent balance sheet
• Budget for your project

Quarterly Deadlines (12 noon):

• 15th January
• 15th April
• 15th July
• 15th October

Post-Submission Process:

1. Receipt acknowledged by automated email
2. Shortly after deadline, you'll receive email asking you to contact one of the Trustees
3. Trustee arranges meeting/discussion with applicant to assess the application
4. Trustee reports back to quarterly meeting (held the following month)
5. Decision made at trustees' meeting
6. Notification sent within a few weeks of meeting by email

Grant Conditions: Grants are generally paid automatically, but some are made conditional upon work commencing. All successful applicants must complete a feedback form or send a short update report within six months of the grant award.

Decision Timeline

• Submission to discussion: 2-4 weeks after deadline
• Meeting date: Following month after deadline
• Notification: Within a few weeks of trustees' meeting
• Total timeline: Approximately 6-10 weeks from submission deadline to notification

Success Rates

The Trust supports approximately 140 organisations annually from applications received quarterly. The Trust states it “receives and considers many applications and sometimes there are not sufficient funds to help all the applications which the Trustees would like to help at a particular meeting,” indicating competitive selection. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Sheffield Town Trust will not, under normal circumstances, expect to receive further applications from successful applicants until 2 years have passed.

Application Success Factors

Credibility and Sustainability: According to the Trust's guidance, “The applicant should be credible and must be able to demonstrate the sustainability of the organisation, with Trustees looking to ensure that care has been taken over the application and supporting documents.”

Preparation: The Trust advises that “Applicants should read the application questions and prepare answers in advance.”

Trustee Interview: Be prepared for a discussion with a trustee who will assess your application personally. This is a key part of the process where you can demonstrate your organisation's credibility and the merit of your project.

Site Visits: Trustees may visit applicants' premises when relevant, so ensure your organisation is well-represented both on paper and in person.

Sheffield Focus: Clearly demonstrate how your organisation and project benefit Sheffield and its citizens. National organisations must establish that grants will be used exclusively in Sheffield or for Sheffield residents' benefit.

Core vs. Project Costs: Understand the distinction between the quarterly grant program (for projects) and the subscription list (for core costs). Apply to the appropriate stream for your needs.

Practical Examples: Recent successful applications include:

• Whirlow Hall Farm: £3,500 for ongoing support (long-term relationship with annual donations)
• Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust: Contribution to £16,000 composting bays project
• Sheffield Children's Hospital, St Luke's Hospice, and Fareshare Yorkshire: Recipients through the Trust's funding programs

Two-Year Rule: Factor in the two-year waiting period before reapplication when planning your funding strategy and project timelines.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Historic local funder: One of England's oldest charities (1297) with deep Sheffield roots and understanding of local needs
• Personal assessment matters: Expect a trustee discussion/interview as part of the process—prepare to articulate your case personally, not just on paper
• Typical grant size: Most grants fall between £500-£3,000, though amounts vary based on merit and available funds
• Two funding streams: Choose between quarterly project grants or the three-year subscription list for core costs—don't confuse the two
• Sheffield-only focus: Must clearly demonstrate direct benefit to Sheffield and its citizens; geographic restriction is absolute
• Long-term relationships valued: The Trust maintains ongoing relationships with organisations (e.g., Whirlow Hall Farm receives annual donations)
• Two-year wait for reapplication: Plan funding cycles accordingly; successful applicants cannot normally reapply for two years
• Demonstrate sustainability: Show credibility, careful preparation, and organisational sustainability in your application and supporting documents

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council Of England
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• South Yorkshire Community Foundation Limited
• Voluntary Action Rotherham
• Paul Hamlyn Foundation
• The Edward Gostling Foundation
• People's Health Trust
• The James Neill Trust Fund
• The Neill Trust
• The Talbot Trusts
• Empowered Communities
• National Lottery
• The Town Hall

References

1. Sheffield Town Trust official website - www.sheffieldtowntrust.org (Making an Application, About, Frequently Asked Questions pages) -
2. Charity Commission Register of Charities - Sheffield Town Trust (Charity Number 223760) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=223760 -
3. Sheffield Town Trust - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_Town_Trust -
4. “Sheffield Town Trust: our oldest institution” - Sheffielder.net - https://sheffielder.net/2021/11/01/sheffield-town-trust-our-oldest-institution/ -
5. “Whirlow receives £3,500 from Sheffield Town Trust” - Whirlow Hall Farm - https://www.whirlowhallfarm.org/news/whirlow-receives-%C2%A33500-from-sheffield-town-trust.asp -
6. Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust - “Who we are” - https://www.sbg.org.uk/who-we-are -
7. Sheffield Town Trust - FCS Associates - https://fcsassociates.co.uk/grants/sheffield-town-trust/ -
8. “Sheffield Town Trust is looking for Trustees with a law background” - Sheffield & District Law Society - https://www.sheffieldlawsociety.co.uk/news/the-trust-is-looking-for-trustees-with-a-law-background/ -