The Archer Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £353,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Approximately 40% of eligible applications progress to trustee review
• Decision Time: 2-8 months
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (including support for overseas projects via UK charities)
• Application Method: Rolling basis with online eligibility checker

Contact Details

Address: Oakford, Stortford Road, Standon, Ware, Hertfordshire SG11 1LT

Phone: 07940588246

Website: www.archertrust.org.uk

Overview

The Archer Trust was established in 1994 in memory of Ronnie Archer, a successful businessman who rose through the ranks of Unilever to become Vice-Chairman. The Trust was initially funded by his widow Catherine Archer from Ronnie's estate, with Catherine providing further gifts annually until her death in 2021. Based on Christian values, the Trust makes charitable grants to small UK charities supporting defined groups of disadvantaged or marginalised people. The Trust normally awards around 200 grants each year, totalling £353,000 in the year ending April 2024. Catherine was passionate about supporting local communities, education, and the disadvantaged, and enjoyed considering and understanding the many charities the Trust supported. Two of the Trust's trustees are also associated with the Roland Callingham Foundation and the Mildred Duveen Charitable Trust.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Main Grant Programme: £1,000 - £5,000 per grant
• Rolling application basis via online eligibility checker
• Trustees meet twice yearly (typically March and September) to make decisions
• Approximately 200 grants awarded annually

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on three main charitable objects:

• Relief of suffering among the aged, impotent, or poor
• Advancement of education
• Advancement of religion (particularly Christian, though grants made to charities of all faiths and ethnicities)

Beneficiary Groups Supported:

• People affected by drugs and alcohol
• Black and ethnic minorities
• Carers
• Children and families
• Economically/socially disadvantaged people
• Homeless or badly housed
• Care experienced people
• Socially isolated people
• LGBTQI people
• People in poverty
• Rural communities
• People with mental health conditions
• Offenders and ex-offenders
• Older people
• Those with ill-health, disabilities, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairments
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• Unemployed people
• Victims of crime and abuse

Geographical Preferences:

• Particularly favours organisations working in areas of high unemployment and deprivation
• Supports UK and overseas projects (overseas projects only via UK registered charities)

Operational Preferences:

• Particularly favours charities which make good use of volunteers

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Conservation or environmental projects
• Disabled access conversions
• Animal charities
• Research
• Evangelism
• Umbrella charities
• Hospices
• Charities with cash balances in excess of 9 months' expenditure
• Grants representing more than 10% of a charity's income

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 6 trustees who meet twice a year (normally in March and September) to review applications and make funding decisions. No trustees receive remuneration or payments for their services.

Two trustees are also associated with:

• The Roland Callingham Foundation (connected to Bekonscot Model Village)
• The Mildred Duveen Charitable Trust

The Trust was guided for many years by founder Catherine Archer, whose passion for supporting local communities, education, and the disadvantaged shaped the Trust's approach.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Archer Trust uses a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Online Eligibility Checker

• Complete the eligibility checker on the Trust's website (www.archertrust.org.uk)
• Initial assessment of eligibility based on key criteria
• Approximately 40% of eligible applications progress to the next stage

Stage 2: Full Application

• If eligible, the Trust will contact you about submitting a full application
• Submit application as PDF, Word, or Excel document (maximum 2.5MB)
• No specific format required, but should include:
• Description of your charity and its work
• Details of the project requiring funding
• Demonstration of passion and impact
• Brief financial summary
• Important: There is no need to include annual accounts as the Trust will access these via the Charity Commission website

Applications can be submitted at any time - there are no fixed deadlines.

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed at trustees' meetings held twice yearly (typically March and September)
• Response time: 2-8 months from initial application
• The Trust only replies to successful applicants or those it is seriously considering but requires further information
• The Trust does not reply to unsuccessful applicants

Success Rates

Approximately 40% of applications that pass the initial eligibility checker progress to full trustee review. The Trust awards around 200 grants annually.

Reapplication Policy

Charities can apply at any time. While specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not detailed, the rolling application system suggests organisations can reapply in future funding rounds.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented preferences and guidance:

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a small UK registered charity
• Grant must represent a significant difference (between £1,000-£5,000)
• Must provide aid/support to a defined group of disadvantaged or marginalised people
• Must be competently run with up-to-date accounts available on Charity Commission website
• Must have made effort to tap into local sources of wealth first
• Cash reserves must not exceed 9 months' expenditure
• Grant must not represent more than 10% of your charity's income

What Makes Applications Stand Out:

• Use of volunteers: The Trust particularly favours charities that make good use of volunteers
• Work in deprived areas: Organisations working in areas of high unemployment and deprivation are preferred
• Clear demonstration of impact: Show how a grant of £1,000-£5,000 will make a significant difference
• Competent management: Evidence of well-run organisation with sound financial management
• Local fundraising efforts: Demonstrate you have already sought local funding sources
• Supporting defined groups: Clear focus on specific disadvantaged or marginalised populations

Application Tips:

• Keep your application concise but passionate - demonstrate your commitment and impact
• Show financial prudence (not excessive reserves) while demonstrating need
• Highlight volunteer involvement if applicable
• Clearly define the specific disadvantaged group you serve
• Be realistic about timescales given the 2-8 month response time

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Right-sized grants for small charities: This funder is ideal for small organisations where £1,000-£5,000 will make a meaningful difference, not just supplement larger budgets
• Financial health matters: Ensure your cash reserves are below 9 months' expenditure and the grant won't exceed 10% of your income before applying
• Volunteer engagement is a plus: If your charity makes good use of volunteers, emphasise this in your application
• Don't expect rejection letters: The Trust only responds to successful applicants or those under serious consideration - no response means unsuccessful
• Start with the eligibility checker: Use the online tool first to avoid wasting time on full applications if you don't meet basic criteria
• Be patient: With 2-8 months decision time and only two trustee meetings annually, this is not a quick turnaround funder
• Demonstrate local fundraising efforts: Show you've explored other funding sources first - the Trust wants to support, not substitute for, local fundraising

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• BENEFACT TRUST LIMITED
• Souter Charitable Trust
• AXIS FOUNDATION
• The Edward Gostling Foundation
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• Cumbria Community Foundation
• Suffolk Community Foundation
• THE HDH WILLS 1965 CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Beatrice Laing Trust
• The Goodman Foundation
• THE SCREWFIX FOUNDATION
• The Batchworth Trust
• THE CATHERINE COOKSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE STEEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• Snowdon Trust
• The Howard Foundation
• The Anchor Foundation
• National Lottery
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION
• THE WELFARE ASSOCIATION

References

• The Archer Trust official website: www.archertrust.org.uk
• The Archer Trust Charity Commission page (charity number 1033534): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1033534
• The Archer Trust grant application page: https://www.archertrust.org.uk/grant-application
• Various UK funding directories including Funding Scotland, PAVO, Southampton Voluntary Services, and Bath and North East Somerset Council funding databases