The 29th May 1961 Charity

Charity Number: 200198

Annual Expenditure: £6.3M
Throughout England And Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

Contact Info

Website: www.29may1961charity.org.uk

Phone: 024 7622 1046

Email: enquiries@29may1961charity.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £5,000,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Up to 16 weeks
  • Grant Range: Typically £6,000 - £40,000 (can fund up to £270,000)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide with strong preference for Midlands, particularly Coventry and Warwickshire

Contact Details

Website: www.29may1961charity.org.uk

Email: enquiries@29may1961charity.org.uk

Phone: 024 7622 1046

Application Portal: Online eligibility quiz and application form available at 29may1961charity.org.uk

Overview

The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust was established by the late Miss Helen M. Martin of Kenilworth, Warwickshire, on 29th May 1961. Registered as charity number 200198, the Trust has approximately £6.3 million in assets as of March 2024 and distributes around £5 million annually. The charity is a general grant-making trust supporting a broad spectrum of charitable organizations across the UK, with a particular affinity for the Midlands region. The Trust was one of the founding donors of the University of Warwick and continues to be a major supporter of the institution, maintaining strong ties to its Warwickshire roots. The charity supports both capital and revenue projects across multiple sectors including arts, employment and training, homelessness, leisure and recreation, young people, health, offender rehabilitation, and social welfare.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • General Grants: Typically £6,000 - £40,000 (most common range)
  • Larger Grants: Available up to £270,000 for significant projects
  • Standard Grants: Generally under £15,000 for up to 3 years
  • Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly trustee meetings

Priority Areas

  • Arts and culture
  • Employment and training programmes
  • Homelessness and housing support
  • Leisure and recreation facilities
  • Youth services and development
  • Health and wellbeing initiatives
  • Offender rehabilitation
  • Social welfare projects
  • General charitable purposes

Geographic Priority: Strong preference for activities in the Midlands, particularly Coventry and Warwickshire, though groups across the UK are regularly funded.

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Medical research
  • Projects outside the UK
  • Repeat applications within 2 years of successful grant
  • Reapplications within 13 months of unsuccessful application

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The charity is governed by five trustees, several of whom are Fellows of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (F.C.A.):

  • Paul Varney F.C.A. - Trustee since August 1979 (longest-serving trustee)
  • Andrew Charles Jones F.C.A. - Trustee since February 2008
  • Elizabeth Rantzen - Trustee since April 2014 (also trustee of The Fidelio Charitable Trust and Rehearsal Orchestra)
  • Geoffrey Robert Cox F.C.A. - Trustee since June 2020
  • Charles David Zelenka Martin - Trustee since June 2020

The charity has comprehensive governance policies covering complaints handling, conflicts of interest, financial reserves, internal controls, risk management, investment, safeguarding, and serious incident reporting.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Complete the online Eligibility Quiz at: https://formapply.formstack.com/forms/29_may_1961_eligibility
  2. If eligible, proceed to the online application form
  3. Upload supporting documents with your application
  4. Save draft applications (must complete within 30 days)
  5. Review Grant Terms & Conditions and Safeguarding Policy before applying
  6. Consult Application Form Guidance for tips

No minimum or maximum grant amount specified - applicants can request the amount they need.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Submission: Rolling basis, no deadlines
  • Trustee Meetings: Quarterly (February, May, August, and November)
  • Notification: Up to 16 weeks from submission
  • Notification Method: Email
  • Payment: Direct bank transfer upon acceptance

Applications are considered at the next available trustee meeting following submission.

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed. The charity distributes approximately £5 million annually across multiple grants.

Reapplication Policy

  • After Successful Grant: Cannot reapply for 2 years
  • After Unsuccessful Application: Must wait 13 months before reapplying
  • No individual feedback provided on unsuccessful applications

Application Success Factors

Key Success Indicators

Geographic Alignment: While the Trust funds UK-wide, organisations working in the Midlands, particularly Coventry and Warwickshire, receive priority consideration. Clearly demonstrate your connection to or impact in this region if applicable.

Broad Charitable Purposes: The Trust explicitly supports “a wide range of charitable organisations across a broad spectrum.” This suggests they value diverse approaches and are not restricted to narrow funding themes.

Multi-Year Support: The Trust offers grants for up to 3 years, indicating they value longer-term relationships and sustainable impact. Consider requesting multi-year funding if appropriate for your project.

Both Capital and Revenue: Unlike some funders that restrict to one type, this Trust explicitly welcomes both capital and revenue applications, offering flexibility in project design.

Recent Funded Projects

  • The Nehemiah Project: Three-year grant supporting the Nehemiah Works employment and training programme
  • IntoUniversity: Support for programmes helping children and young people realise their potential
  • University of Warwick: Long-term major supporter, including support for Warwick Arts Centre development

Application Guidance

  • Complete the eligibility quiz before investing time in a full application
  • Save a copy of your submitted application for your records
  • Ensure all supporting documents are ready before starting (30-day completion window)
  • Review their comprehensive safeguarding policy and demonstrate awareness of safeguarding in your application
  • Provide detailed bank account information and bank statement for verification if successful
  • Be prepared for partial funding - trustees may award less than requested

Standing Out

  • Historical Connection: The Trust values its Warwickshire heritage and connection to Miss Helen M. Martin's legacy
  • University Partnerships: Given strong ties to University of Warwick, educational partnerships may be viewed favorably
  • Long-term Thinking: Request multi-year funding for sustainable programmes rather than one-off projects
  • Broad Impact: Demonstrate how your work aligns with general charitable purposes serving the public benefit

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Rolling applications with quarterly decisions - no need to wait for specific deadlines, but allow up to 16 weeks for decisions made in February, May, August, or November
  • Geographic advantage matters - Midlands organizations, especially from Coventry and Warwickshire, receive priority but UK-wide funding is available
  • Flexible grant amounts - no specified minimum or maximum, with typical grants £6k-£40k but potential for up to £270k
  • Plan for the long term - two-year exclusion after successful grants means you should request sufficient funding for sustainability
  • Both capital and revenue welcome - flexibility in project design with support for both types of funding
  • Safeguarding is important - dedicated policy in place; demonstrate your safeguarding awareness in applications
  • No feedback on rejections - unsuccessful applications receive no individual feedback, so ensure your first submission is strong

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References