Stratford-upon-avon Town Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,200,000
• Decision Time: 10 working days (Small Grants); varies for Large Grants
• Grant Range: £100 - £100,000
• Geographic Focus: Stratford-upon-Avon town only
• Total Assets: £58.5 million
• Total Income: £3.7 million (2023)

Contact Details

Website: www.stratfordtowntrust.co.uk

Email: applications@stratfordtowntrust.co.uk (James or Catherine on grants team)

Phone: 01789 207108 / 207114

Address: Community Hub, Venture House, Avenue Farm Industrial Estate, Birmingham Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 0HR

Pre-Application Support: Weekly drop-in advice sessions on most Wednesday afternoons, 1.30-4pm at their Community Hub

Overview

Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust is a 500-year-old charitable organization with roots dating back to the Guild of the Holy Cross, formally incorporated in 2001 (Charity No. 1088521). With assets of £58.5 million derived from 112 properties and investments, the Trust generates £3.7 million annually and distributes over £1.2 million in discretionary grants. Their mission is “Creating a vibrant and connected community” by supporting people who live, work or study in Stratford-upon-Avon. In 2024, the Trust sharpened its focus on core costs support and tackling health, financial and educational inequalities. The organization awarded 147 grants in 2024, supporting vital services from counselling and hospice care to youth activities and environmental projects, positioning itself as “a catalyst for change, a champion for the marginalized, and a builder of bridges towards a more equitable Stratford.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants: £100 - £2,000

• Rolling basis - apply any time
• Decision within 10 working days
• Designed for grassroots projects and small charities (annual income under £100,000)
• Online application via stratfordtowntrust-applications.co.uk

Large Grants: £2,000 - £100,000

• Currently closed; reopening Spring 2026
• Two-stage process: Expression of Interest (EOI) followed by full application if invited
• Can include multi-year funding

Hardship Grants (Individuals):

• One-off grants for bedding, furniture, clothing, heating appliances, white goods
• Apply through Citizens Advice South Warwickshire (0808 250 5715)

Priority Areas (2024 Focus)

Core Costs Support: Operational expenses including rent, utilities, and staff costs for organizations delivering essential community services

Tackling Inequality: Projects addressing health, financial and educational inequalities that trap individuals in cycles of disadvantage

Welfare and Wellbeing: Projects addressing poverty, sickness, disability, inequality, isolation; promoting physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing

Strengthening Communities: Projects bringing people together, giving voice to communities, fostering mutual support

Recent Funded Themes: Youth activities, mental health support, social isolation, sustainability, biodiversity, cycling and transport, arts and culture, support for carers

What They Don't Fund

• Activities or services already completed or equipment already purchased/leased
• Projects benefiting people outside Stratford-upon-Avon town boundaries (strict geographic restriction)
• Organizations without proper governance (must have constitution, bank account with two unrelated signatories)
• Multiple applications per year from same organization

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Tim Bailey (appointed November 2023)

• Trustee since 2018; Deputy Chair 2021-2023
• 50 years in Stratford; 30 years as Police Officer; 10 years as Assistant Head of Sixth Form at King Edward VI School
• Quote on CEO Sara Aspley's leadership: “Her vision, drive and commitment have ensured the trust is firmly rooted at the heart of a vibrant and connected community in Stratford... instrumental in driving forward the organisation, delivering real local benefit and embedding a culture of listening.”

Trustees:

• Gill (nominated trustee, commenced June 2020) - Town Councillor since 2019
• Marion (elected 2022) - Former Stratford Foodbank Manager; Area Manager for Trussell Trust
• Sarah (nominated June 2024) - Former Town Clerk for 20 years until 2022
• Mark Tailby (co-opted February 2023)

Values: “Inclusive, empathetic, welcoming, respectful, believing, ethical, professional, and totally focused on their beneficiaries”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Small Grants:

• Online application: stratfordtowntrust-applications.co.uk/Small
• Rolling basis - apply anytime
• Contact applications@stratfordtowntrust.co.uk or 01789 207108/207114

Large Grants:

• Currently closed until Spring 2026
• When open: Two-stage process starting with Expression of Interest form
• Must be invited to proceed to stage two (full application)

Pre-Application Support:

• Weekly drop-in sessions: Wednesdays 1.30-4pm at Community Hub
• Contact grants team to discuss ideas before applying
• Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action (WCAVA) also offers support: 01789 332962 or stratfordinfo@wcava.org.uk

Decision Timeline

Small Grants: Usually 10 working days from receipt of complete application

Large Grants: Timeline varies; follows board meeting schedule

Success Rates

• 2024: 147 grants awarded totaling £1,170,513
• 2023: 155 grants awarded (27 small grants) totaling £1,200,000
• Specific acceptance/rejection percentages not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in public materials. Applicants encouraged to contact grants team directly to discuss reapplication options after unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Evidence of Need

Projects must clearly demonstrate the need within Stratford-upon-Avon with supporting data and community feedback.

User Involvement

Applications should evidence genuine user involvement in project planning and ongoing delivery - co-design is valued.

Community Impact

Make explicit how the project will positively impact quality of life in Stratford-upon-Avon with measurable outcomes.

Financial Viability

Demonstrate sound financial planning and organizational sustainability.

Geographic Eligibility

Critical requirement: Use the postcode checker on their website to verify beneficiaries live, work or study in Stratford-upon-Avon town. Applications supporting people outside this boundary (e.g., Meon Vale) have been rejected even when some members reside in town.

2024 Priority Alignment

Strong preference for applications addressing:

• Core operational costs for vital community services
• Health, financial and educational inequalities
• Projects tackling isolation and mental health
• Youth activities and opportunities
• Environmental sustainability

Recent Successful Applications Include:

• Young Minds Matter: £35,000 for youth mental health wellbeing
• Net Zero Stratford: £22,925 for Climate Hub Manager
• Stratford-upon-Avon Little Bird Baby Bank: £2,000 for core costs
• Stratford Town Women and Girls Football Club: £5,000 for sustainable growth plan
• Cycle Infinity CIC: £2,000 for Bicycle Bus enabling children to cycle safely
• RSC/Stratford Young Carers partnership for digital engagement project
• Stepping Stones: £19,500 for homeless support
• Refuge: £33,000 for domestic abuse support

Pro Tips

• Utilize free drop-in advice sessions before applying - grants team (James and Catherine) can help strengthen applications
• Only one application per organization per year - make it count
• Small charities (under £100,000 income) can access Small Grants stream for faster decisions
• Core costs applications are welcomed - don't hesitate to apply for rent, utilities, staff costs
• Demonstrate how you're “bringing and binding people together”
• Use language aligned with Trust's mission: “vibrant and connected community,” “tackling inequality,” “catalyst for change”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Verify all beneficiaries are in Stratford-upon-Avon town using their postcode checker - this is the most common reason for rejection
• 2024 priorities favor inequality-focused work: Strongest alignment with projects addressing health, financial or educational disadvantage, or providing core operational support to vital services
• Fast-track option available: Small Grants under £2,000 receive 10-day decisions on rolling basis - ideal for immediate needs
• Pre-application engagement is encouraged: Free Wednesday drop-in sessions and direct contact with grants team significantly improves application quality
• Evidence of co-design matters: Show genuine user involvement in planning and delivery, not just consultation
• One chance per year: With only one application allowed annually, invest time in pre-application support to get it right first time
• Core costs are fundable: Unlike many funders, the Trust explicitly welcomes operational expense requests for organizations delivering essential services

References

1. Stratford Town Trust Official Website - Homepage (www.stratfordtowntrust.co.uk) -
2. Stratford Town Trust - How to Apply for a Grant (www.stratfordtowntrust.co.uk/our-grants/how-apply-grant) -
3. Stratford Town Trust - Our Grants (www.stratfordtowntrust.co.uk/our-grants) -
4. Stratford Town Trust - About Us (www.stratfordtowntrust.co.uk/about-us) -
5. Stratford Town Trust - Our History (www.stratfordtowntrust.co.uk/about/our-history) -
6. Stratford Town Trust - Meet the Team (www.stratfordtowntrust.co.uk/about/meet-team?team=6) -
7. Stratford Town Trust - Our 2024 Funding Themes (www.stratfordtowntrust.co.uk/news/our-2024-funding-themes) -
8. Stratford Town Trust - Our Properties and Assets (www.stratfordtowntrust.co.uk/our-community/our-properties-and-assets) -
9. Charity Commission Register of Charities - Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust (Charity No. 1088521) -
10. The Stratford Herald - “More than £1m donated to Stratford good causes by town trust” (www.stratford-herald.com) -
11. The Stratford Herald - “Supporting Stratford with £1.2m of grants - where the town trust money was spent” (www.stratford-herald.com) -
12. The Stratford Observer - “Over £1million in grants handed out by Stratford Town Trust” (stratfordobserver.co.uk) -
13. The Stratford Herald - “Stratford Town Trust announces new chair to take over from Quentin Willson” (www.stratford-herald.com) -
14. The Stratford Herald - “Stratford Town Trust chief executive Sara Aspley stepping down after seven years” (www.stratford-herald.com) -