The Booth Charities

Charity Number: 221800

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M
Geographic Focus: Lancashire, Salford City

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??978,000 (charitable activities expenditure)
  • Total Income: ??1,770,000
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified
  • Geographic Focus: City of Salford only
  • Established: 1630/31

Contact Details

Main Office:

  • Address: Midwood Hall, 1 Eccles Old Road, Salford, M6 7DE
  • Phone: 0161-736-2989
  • Email: admin@boothcharities.org

Legal Representatives:

  • Butcher & Barlow LLP, 3 Royal Mews, Gadbrook Park, Rudheath, Northwich, CW9 7UD
  • Phone: 01606 334309
  • Email: jaldersley@butcher-barlow.co.uk

Overview

The Booth Charities is one of England's oldest charitable trusts, established in 1630/31 by Humphrey Booth the Elder (1580-1635), a wealthy fustian merchant of Manchester and Salford. The charity was initially endowed with lands worth ??20 per year for the relief of poor, aged, or disabled people in Salford. Today, the charity operates under The Charities (Booth Charities) Order 1985 (Statutory Instrument No. 1935) and holds total assets generating significant investment income (??1.67 million annually, with investment gains of ??6.22 million in 2024). The charity is governed by 10 trustees and employs 9 staff members. Its charitable expenditure in the most recent financial year was ??978,000, focusing exclusively on benefiting the inhabitants of the City of Salford through grant-making, almshouse provision, and support for community facilities.

Funding Priorities

The Five Objects of Distribution

The charity's grant-making is structured around five specific charitable objects as defined in the 1985 Order:

  1. Relief of the Aged and Poor: Payment of pensions and provision/maintenance of almshouses for poor inhabitants, with preference for those over 60 years of age
  2. Relief of Distress and Sickness: Supporting inhabitants experiencing health challenges or distress
  3. Recreation and Leisure Facilities: Provision and support of facilities for recreation and leisure-time occupation to improve conditions of life in the interests of social welfare
  4. Educational Facilities: Provision and support of educational facilities for Salford inhabitants
  5. Other Charitable Purposes: Any other charitable purposes for the benefit of Salford inhabitants

Priority Areas

  • Almshouse provision and maintenance for elderly residents
  • Health and welfare support for sick or distressed individuals
  • Educational initiatives and facilities
  • Cultural and recreational programs (including partnerships with institutions like The Lowry and Chetham's Library)
  • Heritage preservation projects relating to Salford's history
  • General charitable purposes benefiting Salford residents
  • Amateur sport facilities and programs
  • Religious activities
  • Support for other charities and voluntary bodies serving Salford

Geographic Restriction

Critical: The charity can ONLY support projects and individuals that benefit the inhabitants of the City of Salford. This geographic restriction is legally mandated by the 1985 Order.

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects or individuals outside the City of Salford boundary
  • Activities that do not align with the five charitable objects
  • Commercial enterprises without clear charitable benefit
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Governance and Leadership

The Booth Charities operates with a dual governance structure dating back to the nineteenth century:

  • Trustees: Initially named in the original deed of feoffment, now operating as a self-perpetuating trust responsible for the continued maintenance of the charity
  • Distributors: Responsible for distributing charity funds according to the five objects

The charity currently has 10 trustees, none of whom receive remuneration. The organization employs 9 staff members and does not operate trading subsidiaries. The charity is administered through its Salford office and legal representatives at Butcher & Barlow LLP.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Public application guidelines are not readily available online. The charity appears to operate through:

  • Direct contact via email (admin@boothcharities.org) or phone (0161-736-2989)
  • Potential referrals through Salford community organizations
  • Strategic partnerships with institutions serving Salford residents

Prospective applicants should contact the charity directly to inquire about current application procedures and eligibility requirements.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. Contact the charity directly for information about application processing times.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Applicants should inquire directly with the charity.

Application Success Factors

Known Funded Projects

  • Chetham's Library Digitization Project: The Distributors provided a significant grant to digitize thousands of documents, photographs, artworks, and papers concerning Salford's history
  • Almshouse Provision: Ongoing provision and maintenance of almshouses for elderly Salford residents
  • The Lowry Partnership: Partnership supporting family schemes for Salford residents to access cultural activities

Key Alignment Factors

  1. Geographic Specificity: Projects must directly benefit inhabitants of the City of Salford - this is non-negotiable
  2. Alignment with One or More Objects: Clearly demonstrate how your project fits within one of the five charitable objects
  3. Focus on Vulnerable Populations: Historical focus on elderly (60+), poor, sick, or distressed individuals
  4. Community Benefit: Projects that improve conditions of life for Salford residents
  5. Heritage and Culture: Interest in preserving and celebrating Salford's history and providing cultural access

Strategic Considerations

  • The charity has substantial assets (significant investment portfolio) suggesting capacity for larger grants
  • Historical focus has been on almshouse provision and elderly care, but educational and cultural projects are also supported
  • Partnership approach with established institutions (e.g., Chetham's Library, The Lowry) suggests openness to collaborative projects
  • The charity's 400-year history demonstrates commitment to adapting charitable support to contemporary community needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only projects benefiting Salford inhabitants will be considered - ensure your application clearly demonstrates this local impact
  • Align with historical mission: While the charity modernizes its approach, it maintains focus on elderly care, poverty relief, and community welfare
  • Limited public information: Expect to engage directly with the charity to understand current priorities and application processes
  • Significant resources: With nearly ??2 million annual income and substantial assets, the charity has capacity for meaningful grants
  • Strategic partnerships valued: Recent major grants to cultural institutions suggest interest in collaborative projects with established organizations
  • Five objects framework: Structure your application to explicitly demonstrate alignment with one or more of the five charitable objects
  • Long-term community focus: Emphasize sustainable community benefit rather than short-term interventions

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