Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 218627

Annual Expenditure: £1.8M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,750,000 (approximately)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 6-8 weeks for grants ≤£55,000; longer for grants >£55,000 requiring Board approval
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £375,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield (Four Oaks, Trinity, New Hall and Vesey wards)

Contact Details

Address: Lingard House, Fox Hollies Road, Sutton Coldfield B76 2RJ

Phone: 0121 794 0970

Email: info@suttoncharitabletrust.org

Website: www.suttoncoldfieldcharitabletrust.com

Individual Grants Contact:

  • Phone: 0121 354 4080
  • Email: enquiries@ourplacesupport.org (managed by external provider)

Pre-Application Support: Applicants are recommended to contact the Grants Team before applying

Overview

Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust is one of England's oldest charitable trusts, operating for nearly 500 years (approaching its 500th anniversary in 2028). The independent charity aims to alleviate hardship and improve the quality of life for residents of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield through the provision of housing for older people of limited means and by making grants to individuals and community organisations. The Trust provides 46 almshouse properties and distributes approximately £1.75 million annually in grants. In 2023, the Trust unveiled an ambitious Five Year Plan (2023-2028) informed by extensive community research that surveyed 5,000 households and engaged over 600 residents. The strategic plan focuses on expanding grants, reaching isolated and excluded residents, supporting heritage and green spaces, and addressing pockets of poverty in Sutton Coldfield. Lisa Martinali was appointed CEO in March 2025, succeeding Tina Swani who led transformative change over four and a half years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

For Organisations (via online portal):

  • Emergency Grants: Up to £5,000 per local voluntary organisation
  • Standard Grants: £5,000 - £55,000 (decided by Grants Committee)
  • Major Grants: Over £55,000 (may require Board of Trustees approval, which meets quarterly)
  • Application Method: Online portal after completing eligibility checker; rolling basis with eight committee meetings annually; applications should be submitted at least 6 weeks before next committee meeting

Recent Grant Examples:

  • £375,000 to Jericho Foundation for employability support
  • £44,500 to Walmley Golf Foundation for accessible putting green
  • £44,000 to St James Church Mere Green for accessibility improvements
  • £35,892 to NBC Gymnastics for quiet gymnasium space
  • £15,000 to Streetly Sutton Centre

For Individuals (via external provider):

  • Essential domestic equipment
  • Disability support
  • Educational support after normal schooling
  • Long-term health problems assistance
  • School clothing grants (vouchers for low-income families on certain benefits)
  • Eligibility: Must have lived in Sutton Coldfield for at least 2 years (organisations) or 5 years (individuals)

Priority Areas

  1. Relief of Need: Supporting those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
  2. Education: Grants to schools and educational initiatives
  3. Arts, Culture, Heritage & Science: Cultural and heritage projects
  4. Religion: Support for places of worship
  5. Health or Saving of Lives: Medical assistance and health initiatives
  6. Citizenship or Community Development: Community groups and civic projects
  7. Amateur Sport: Local sports clubs, including equipment, minibuses, and facility improvements
  8. Environmental Protection or Improvement: Environmental initiatives

Strategic Focus (Five Year Plan 2023-2028)

  • Expanding grants program to reach isolated and excluded residents
  • Supporting active lifestyles and addressing pockets of poverty
  • Contributing to heritage centers and Sutton Park infrastructure
  • Developing coordinated community center network
  • Increasing grant-making potential through financial strategies

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, but applicants should:

  • Check funding exclusions in the guidance documents before applying
  • Ensure projects benefit residents within the Sutton Coldfield constituency wards (Four Oaks, Trinity, New Hall and Vesey)
  • Note: Exceptions possible for organizations outside area serving significant local needs (e.g., medical, hospice services)
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Chair: Dr Francis Murray (appointed November 2018)

  • Also serves as Chair of Almshouse Committee and member of Finance Committee

Trustees Nominated by Birmingham City Council:

  • Cllr Kath Scott (appointed April 2025) - Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Councillor
  • Cllr Jane Mosson (appointed June 2023) - Almshouse Committee, Grants Committee
  • Cllr David Pears (appointed August 2022) - Grants Committee

Trustees Nominated by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council:

  • Cllr Simon Ward (appointed June 2023) - Leader of Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Finance Committee

Co-opted Trustees:

  • Brian Maynard (appointed April 2024) - Property Committee, Finance Committee
  • Nigel Meredith (appointed May 2024) - Property Committee, Finance Committee
  • Andrew Burley (appointed November 2013) - Former Principal of Burley Browne Commercial Property Agents, lifelong Sutton Coldfield resident
  • Fahmida Ismail (appointed April 2023) - Property Committee, Finance Committee
  • Andrew Morris (appointed February 2015) - Finance Committee, Remuneration Sub-Committee, Property Committee
  • Stuart Roberts (appointed July 2023) - Almshouse Committee
  • Bryan Dunn (appointed February 2025)

Senior Leadership

CEO: Lisa Martinali (commenced March 2025)

  • Brings 30 years of experience in community regeneration, social housing, and charities

Interim CEO (until March 2025): Claire Evans (Finance Director)

Previous CEO: Tina Swani (departed December 2024 after four and a half years)

Grants Manager: Clare Haines

Vice Chair of Trustees: Inge Kettner

Leadership Perspectives

Tina Swani (former CEO) on the Five Year Plan's community engagement: “The response surpassed my expectations... showed the power of bringing people from your local community together.”

Keith Dudley (former Chair): “We need to work together with all organizations... to address the issues raised.”

Dr Lee Gregory (Nottingham University, who conducted Social Needs Review): "Today's event essentially started the conversation that we need to now have in Sutton Coldfield."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Organisations:

  1. Review organizational grant guidance before applying
  2. Contact Grants Team for pre-application support (recommended)
  3. Submit at least 6 weeks before next committee meeting

For Individuals:

  1. Contact external provider at 0121 354 4080 or enquiries@ourplacesupport.org
  2. Request application form (charity will help you fill it in)
  3. For students/sponsorship applicants: invited to office
  4. For other applicants: home visit arranged

Decision Timeline

Organisational Grants:

  • Grants ≤£55,000: Decided by Grants Committee, applicants notified as soon as possible (typically within a few weeks after committee meeting)
  • Grants >£55,000: Considered by Grants Committee, may be referred to Board of Trustees (meets quarterly), resulting in longer decision times
  • Committee Meetings: Eight times annually
  • Recommended Submission: At least 6 weeks before next committee meeting

Individual Grants:

  • Report sent to Trustees who meet regularly
  • Notification sent the week after meeting with decision and payment details

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trust distributes approximately £1.75 million annually through its grants programs.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly disclosed. Contact the Grants Team for guidance if an application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

Applications should align with the Trust's Five Year Plan priorities:

  • Reaching isolated and excluded residents
  • Supporting active lifestyles
  • Addressing pockets of poverty in Sutton Coldfield
  • Building community capacity
  • Enhancing quality of life for residents

Evidence-Based Applications

The Trust conducted extensive research through its Social Needs Review (2019), including:

  • 5,000 household surveys
  • Engagement with 600+ residents
  • Mapping of 246 community organizations
  • 50 interviews and focus groups

Applications that demonstrate understanding of local needs and evidence-based approaches are likely to be well-received.

Geographic Focus

Strong emphasis on benefiting residents of:

  • Four Oaks
  • Trinity
  • New Hall
  • Vesey wards

Exceptions possible for organizations outside area serving significant local needs.

Recent Funding Patterns

The Trust has funded diverse projects including:

  • Large-scale employability programs (£375,000)
  • Accessibility improvements for sports and community facilities (£44,000-£44,500)
  • Specialized facilities for disabilities and inclusive design
  • Church renovations for community use
  • Youth organizations for equipment and facility improvements
  • Camping equipment, minibuses, musical instruments for youth groups

Application Support

The Trust emphasizes accessibility:

  • “The charity will be happy to help you fill in the application form”
  • Offers 'Meet the funder' sessions through Birmingham Community Matters
  • Grants Manager available for consultation
  • Encourages pre-application contact with Grants Team

Values Alignment

The Trust's core values are:

  • Responsible
  • Inclusive
  • Caring
  • Transparent
  • Sustainable

Applications demonstrating these values, particularly inclusivity and sustainability, align with the Trust's ethos.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Geographic Specificity is Critical: Applications must clearly demonstrate benefit to residents within the Four Oaks, Trinity, New Hall, and Vesey wards of Sutton Coldfield. Individual applicants must have lived in the area for 2-5 years minimum.
  1. Pre-Application Engagement Recommended: The Trust encourages contact with the Grants Team before applying and offers 'Meet the funder' sessions. Take advantage of these opportunities to ensure alignment and strengthen your application.
  1. Evidence of Community Need: With the Trust's extensive Social Needs Review informing its strategy, applications backed by evidence of community need and engagement with local residents will be stronger.
  1. Plan for Timeline: Submit organizational applications at least 6 weeks before the next committee meeting (8 meetings annually). Larger grants (>£55,000) requiring Board approval will take longer due to quarterly Board meetings.
  1. Wide Range of Grant Sizes: The Trust funds from £5,000 emergency grants to £375,000+ major projects. Don't self-select out based on project size—recent grants show willingness to fund both ends of the spectrum.
  1. Inclusivity and Accessibility Matter: Recent grants to Walmley Golf Foundation (accessible putting green) and NBC Gymnastics (quiet gymnasium) demonstrate strong interest in projects that include people with disabilities and create accessible community facilities.
  1. Long-Term Community Impact: As a nearly 500-year-old trust approaching a major milestone, the Trust thinks long-term. Applications demonstrating sustainable impact and community legacy will resonate with trustees who are stewards of this historic charity.

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