The Betty Riseley Trust For Children

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £119,869 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed twice yearly (April and October meetings)
• Grant Range: Not specified - applications considered on individual merits
• Geographic Focus: Surrey, with particular focus on Cranleigh
• Registered Charity Number: 1128462

Contact Details

Email: sxv@hartbrown.co.uk (for applications and information)

Alternative Email: jdl@hartbrown.co.uk

Website: www.riseleytrust.org.uk

Phone: 01483 887766 (via Hart Brown Solicitors)

Address: Resolution House, Riverview, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, GU1 4UX

Overview

The Betty Riseley Trust for Children was established in 2009 following the death of Betty Riseley, a Cranleigh resident who left a wish for a trust to benefit children and young people under 18 in the local area. Since its formation, the Trust has distributed over £500,000 to local groups across Surrey. Operating as a grant-making trust, it focuses on advancing young people's lives through recreational and leisure activities designed to improve their conditions and develop their skills and capabilities. The Trust is administered by Hart Brown Solicitors in Guildford, with four trustees who meet at least twice yearly to review applications and monitor the progress of funded projects. In the financial year ending September 2024, the Trust had an income of £55,251 and made grants totaling £119,869, demonstrating its active commitment to supporting youth-focused initiatives across the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single grant program with biannual application rounds:

• Main Grant Program: Applications reviewed in April and October
• Deadlines: March 15 and September 15
• Amount: Not specified - varies according to project needs and merit
• Application method: Email application form to sxv@hartbrown.co.uk

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on supporting children and young people under 18 living in Surrey, with particular emphasis on:

• Education and Training: Projects that develop young people's skills and capabilities
• Recreation and Leisure Activities: Initiatives provided in the interest of social welfare
• Community Development: Projects that improve conditions of life for young people
• Youth Organizations: Support for scouts, brownies, youth sports teams, and clubs
• Early Years: Mother and toddler groups, playgroups
• School Support: Equipment and facilities for schools
• Social Welfare: Projects supporting vulnerable young people, including refugees
• Amateur Sport: Facilities and equipment for youth sports activities
• Health and Wellbeing: Initiatives advancing health or saving lives
• Poverty Relief: Projects addressing economic disadvantage

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust's focus on:

• Applications must benefit children and young people under 18
• Primary geographic focus is Surrey (especially Cranleigh area)
• Preference for specific projects rather than general running costs (though not mandatory)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Trust is governed by four trustees who serve without remuneration:

• Mrs. Margaret Jack
• Mr. Colin Victor Honey
• Mr. Paul Adrian Tobias
• Mrs. Marilynne Bainbridge

The trustees meet at least twice annually to discuss grant applications, review the progress of the Trust's investments, and evaluate the beneficiaries of grants. The Trust is administered through Hart Brown Solicitors, a Guildford-based law firm, where at least one solicitor serves as a trustee.

Trust Governance

• Trust deed dated: February 27, 2009 (amended October 9, 2023)
• Number of employees: None
• No trading subsidiaries
• All trustees serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration or benefits

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Contact for Application Form: Email sxv@hartbrown.co.uk to request an application form and further information
2. Complete Application: The trustees prefer applications for specific projects, but state that "this isn't always necessary as each application is considered on its merits"
3. Submit Application: Return completed application form to sxv@hartbrown.co.uk by the relevant deadline
4. Ensure Alignment: Applications must align with the Trust's Charity Commission mission statement

Eligible Applicants

The Trust welcomes applications from:

• Schools
• Clubs
• Playgroups
• Cub/Scout/Brownie groups
• Parish councils
• Youth sports teams
• Any organization working with children and young people in Surrey that believes their project meets the Trust's criteria

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadlines: March 15 and September 15
• Trustee Meetings: Early April and October
• Decision Notification: Following trustee meetings (specific timeframe not published)
• Frequency: Two funding rounds per year

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, with annual expenditure of approximately £120,000 distributed across multiple grants, the Trust maintains an active grant-making program.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust does not publish specific reapplication restrictions. Organizations are encouraged to apply if they have projects that meet the Trust's criteria, suggesting reapplication is permitted.

Application Success Factors

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Based on the Trust's documented practices and examples of funded projects:

1. Specific Project Focus: While the trustees state they will consider applications on merit even without a specific project, they express a preference for “specific project” applications. Clear, well-defined projects with measurable outcomes are likely to be viewed favorably.

1. Direct Benefit to Young People: The Trust's mission centers on advancing young people's lives and helping them “grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society.” Applications should clearly articulate how the project will benefit children and young people under 18.

1. Local Connection: With Betty Riseley having lived in Cranleigh and the Trust having a special focus on this area, projects based in Cranleigh or the wider Surrey area are prioritized.

1. Practical, Tangible Outcomes: Funded projects include scout hut toilets, playground equipment, and furniture for meeting places - practical improvements that directly enhance facilities for young people.

1. Community Impact: The Trust values projects that strengthen communities and create brighter futures for children, suggesting preference for initiatives with broader community benefit beyond individual recipients.

1. Follow-up Reporting: The trustees "like to see the 'after' results" through photos and reports from funded projects. Demonstrating willingness to provide updates and share outcomes positively contributes to the relationship.

1. Alignment with Charitable Objects: Applications must demonstrate alignment with the Trust's Charity Commission registered objectives, particularly around recreational activities, skill development, and improving conditions of life for young people.

Examples of Successfully Funded Projects

• Toilet facilities for scout huts
• School equipment for child refugees
• Painting and furnishing a Mother & Toddler meeting place
• Children's playground equipment
• Inclusive sandpit for parish council

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Two Annual Opportunities: Mark March 15 and September 15 as critical deadlines for the biannual funding rounds
• Local Surrey Focus: Geographic proximity to Cranleigh and location within Surrey significantly strengthen applications
• Project-Specific Preferred: While not mandatory, applications for specific, well-defined projects are preferred over general funding requests
• Practical Benefits: The Trust favors tangible, practical improvements that directly benefit young people - think equipment, facilities, and essential resources
• Modest Administration: With only four volunteer trustees and no staff, keep applications clear, concise, and easy to assess
• Strong Track Record: Having distributed over £500,000 since 2009, this is an active, committed funder with consistent grant-making activity
• Results Matter: Be prepared to share photos and reports of completed projects - the trustees value seeing the impact of their funding
• Individual Consideration: Each application is considered on its merits, suggesting flexibility in approach and openness to varied project types within their charitable objectives

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• St Faith's Trust
• The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust
• E F AND M G HALL CHARITABLE TRUST
• Community Foundation for Surrey
• Gatwick Airport Community Trust
• CECIL AND HILDA LEWIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Tantum Trust
• The Vernon N Ely Charitable Trust
• The Prince Philip Trust Fund
• Guildford Poyle Charities

References

• The Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Betty Riseley Trust for Children (Charity Number 1128462). Retrieved from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4044464
• Cranleigh Parish Council - The Betty Riseley Trust for Children. Retrieved from https://www.cranleigh-pc.gov.uk/_VirDir/CoreContents/News/Display.aspx?id=12952
• The Betty Riseley Trust for Children website - www.riseleytrust.org.uk
• OpenCharities - The Betty Riseley Trust. Retrieved from http://opencharities.org/charities/1128462
• Hart Brown Solicitors - Trust Administration (Contact information). Retrieved from https://www.hartbrown.co.uk