Streynsham's Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £89,638 (expenditure 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Up to 3 months (quarterly trustee meetings)
• Grant Range: £50 - £1,000
• Geographic Focus: Ecclesiastical Parish of St Dunstan with Holy Cross, Canterbury, Kent only
• Annual Grants: Approximately 180 grants per year

Contact Details

Address: Clerk to the Trustees, Streynsham's Trust, PO Box 970, Canterbury, Kent CT1 9DJ

Phone: 0345 0944769 / 07485 781970

Website: https://streynshamstrust.org.uk

Email: Contact via online enquiries form at https://streynshamstrust.org.uk/enquiries/

Overview

Founded in 1584 by Thomas Streynsham, a Faversham merchant, this historic charity has been supporting residents of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Dunstan's, Canterbury for over 440 years. Registered as charity number 214436 since 1963, the Trust generates income through property rental (owning six residential properties) and stock market investments, with total income of £92,267 in 2024. The Trust operates with remarkable flexibility, maintaining that “there are very few restrictions on the nature of requests” beyond verified parish residency and demonstrated financial need. Governed by 13 trustees with local knowledge and connections, the charity supports approximately 180 individuals and organizations annually with grants typically ranging between £50 and £1,000. The Trust's mission focuses on two key areas: promoting education (including social and physical training) for young people under 21, and relieving need, hardship, and distress among parish residents.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants: £50 - £1,000 (rolling applications considered quarterly)

• Education costs: further/higher education expenses, school uniforms, trips, computer equipment
• Housing needs: carpets, furniture, white goods, appliances
• Living expenses: utilities, food costs
• Council Lifeline Scheme provisions

Organizational Grants: £50 - £1,000 (rolling applications considered quarterly)

• School enrichment projects
• Community initiatives
• Homeless shelters and support services
• Community centers and facilities
• Any charitable work specifically benefiting St Dunstan's parish residents

Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly trustee meetings to review applications. Applications accepted online, by email, or by post.

Priority Areas

The Trust supports:

• Education and Youth Development: Academic costs, training, social and physical development for under-21s in financial need
• Relief of Poverty: Assistance for individuals experiencing need, hardship, or distress
• Community Organizations: Charities and charitable organizations whose work benefits parish residents
• Broad Flexibility: “Very few restrictions on the nature of requests” - the Trust considers diverse needs beyond typical categories

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions:

• The Trust's constitution strictly limits support to residents of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Dunstan with Holy Cross, Canterbury only
• For organizations: only work that specifically benefits St Dunstan's residents is eligible (even if the organization serves a wider area)
• Applicants living just outside parish boundaries are advised to contact the Clerk before applying

No Specific Activity Exclusions: Unlike many funders, the Trust does not publish a list of excluded activities, maintaining flexibility to consider requests on individual merit

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 13 trustees who represent a range of interests and all possess local knowledge and connection to the Canterbury area. The trustees meet quarterly (every three months) to evaluate grant applications.

Governance Structure:

• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• No employees with benefits exceeding £60,000
• No trading subsidiaries
• Clerk to the Trustees manages day-to-day administration

Financial Management: The Trust's sustainability derives from a diversified approach - rental income from six residential properties combined with stock market investment dividends fund both operational expenses and grant distribution.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Charities/Organizations:

• Online: Complete the “Organisations One-off Application Form” at https://streynshamstrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-charity-grant/
• Email: Submit application via email
• Post: Request paper form through the Enquiries Form and submit to PO Box 970, Canterbury, Kent CT1 9DJ

Pre-Application Requirements:

1. Verify address eligibility using the postcode checker on the Trust website
2. Ensure your project specifically benefits St Dunstan's parish residents
3. Review information on the homepage before applying
4. If uncertain about eligibility, contact the Clerk via the Enquiries Form before submitting

Decision Timeline

• Meeting Frequency: Trustees meet quarterly (every 3 months)
• Decision Time: Up to 3 months depending on when application is submitted relative to the quarterly meeting schedule
• Notification: Method not specified on website

Success Rates

The Trust awards approximately 180 grants annually. Specific success rates (percentage of applications approved vs. rejected) are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published on the Trust's website. Applicants should contact the Clerk for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors

1. Geographic Eligibility is Paramount

• Use the postcode checker before applying - this is the primary eligibility criterion
• Organizations must clearly demonstrate how their work specifically benefits St Dunstan's residents
• Those living just outside boundaries should contact the Clerk first

2. Demonstrate Financial Need

• The Trust emphasizes that “other than eligible address and financial need, there are very few restrictions”
• Clear articulation of financial hardship or need is essential

3. Broad Range Considered

• The Trust's flexibility is a defining feature - “very few restrictions on the nature of requests”
• Don't self-exclude based on project type; if it benefits residents in need, it may be eligible
• Examples range from school trips to white goods to community center support

4. Clear Connection to Parish Residents

• For organizations serving wider areas, explicitly state how St Dunstan's residents benefit
• Quantify how many parish residents are served if possible

Funded Project Examples

The Trust has supported:

• Further and higher education course costs
• School uniforms, trips, and educational equipment
• Computer equipment for students
• Carpets, furniture, and white goods for housing needs
• Utility and food costs for those in hardship
• Council Lifeline Scheme provisions
• School enrichment projects
• Homeless shelter operations
• Community center initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Verify parish residency using the Trust's postcode checker before investing time in an application - this is non-negotiable
• Flexibility is the hallmark: With “very few restrictions,” the Trust considers diverse requests that might not fit traditional funding categories
• Small grants, broad impact: At £50-£1,000, these are accessible small grants with a relatively quick turnaround considering the modest documentation requirements
• Plan for quarterly timeline: Applications are reviewed every three months, so time submissions accordingly and don't expect rapid turnaround
• Financial need is central: Beyond geographic eligibility, demonstrating genuine financial need is the critical success factor
• Historic local charity: The 440-year history reflects deep commitment to the local parish - emphasize local connection and community benefit
• Contact when uncertain: The Trust encourages contacting the Clerk with questions, particularly regarding borderline geographic eligibility

References

• Streynsham's Trust official website - https://streynshamstrust.org.uk
• Streynsham's Trust “About Us” page - https://streynshamstrust.org.uk/about-us/
• Streynsham's Trust charity grant applications - https://streynshamstrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-charity-grant/
• UK Charity Commission Register, Streynsham's Charity (214436) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=214436&subid=0
• UK Charity Commission Full Details, Streynsham's Charity - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/214436/full-print