The Brian Leslie Racher 2004 Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £114,864 (2023-24)
• Total Assets: £106,365 (as of March 2024)
• Grant Range: £1,750 - Unknown upper limit
• Geographic Focus: Royston, Hertfordshire (parish boundaries and within 2 miles of St John the Baptist parish)
• Registered Charity Number: 1108727
• Number of Trustees: 9

Contact Details

Email: d.smyth@uhy-uk.com

Phone: 7889106655

Application Address: Tees Law, John Street, Royston, SG8 9BE

Associated Accountant: UHY Hacker Young (formerly WKH Chartered Accountants)

Application forms available through Royston Town Council website: https://www.roystontowncouncil.gov.uk/Grants_32994.aspx

Overview

The Brian Leslie Racher 2004 Charitable Trust was registered with the Charity Commission on 24 March 2005. This local grant-making trust serves the community of Royston, Hertfordshire, with total expenditure of £114,864 in the financial year ending March 2024. The trust operates with 9 trustees, none of whom receive remuneration for their services. The charity's mission is broad in scope: to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of inhabitants within the parish boundaries of Royston and within two miles of the parish of St John the Baptist, Royston.

The trust demonstrates active engagement with the local community, supporting diverse projects ranging from heritage initiatives and arts festivals to youth diversionary programs and museum improvements. The charity is administered through UHY Hacker Young accountants, with David Smyth serving as the key contact. The trust's relatively modest asset base of approximately £106,000 supports a substantial annual giving program that makes a meaningful impact on local organizations and individuals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates two distinct application pathways:

• Main Grant Application: For organizations and larger projects
• Individual Grant Application: For individual residents requiring charitable assistance

Both application forms are available through Royston Town Council's website.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant awards, the trust supports:

• Arts and Culture: Funding for local arts festivals, music organizations, and cultural projects (Royston Arts Festival sponsor, Royston Town Band - £1,750 for heritage project)
• Youth Services: Diversionary activities and programs for young people (Saturday Screen cinema program at Royston Picture Palace)
• Heritage and Museums: Supporting local history preservation and museum development (Royston Museum collections storage upgrade 2024)
• Environmental Conservation: Supporting local conservation groups and educational materials (Friends of Therfield Heath and Greens guide printing)
• Community Organizations: Supporting general charitable purposes benefiting Royston residents

Geographic Eligibility

Beneficiaries must be inhabitants of or organizations serving:

• The larger of the parish boundaries of Royston, Hertfordshire
• Within 2 miles from the parish of St John the Baptist, Royston, Hertfordshire

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, eligibility is limited to the specific geographic area around Royston. Organizations or individuals outside this catchment area would not be eligible.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust operates with 9 trustees who serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration. The Charity Commission records confirm that no trustees receive payments or benefits from the charity, ensuring all funds go directly to charitable purposes.

The trust maintains good governance practices, with reporting up to date and on time according to Charity Commission records. Administrative support is provided through UHY Hacker Young (formerly WKH Chartered Accountants), with David Smyth serving as the primary contact for the trust.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted using the appropriate form available from Royston Town Council:

1. Download either the Main Grant Application Form (for organizations) or Individual Grant Application Form (for individuals) from: https://www.roystontowncouncil.gov.uk/Grants_32994.aspx

1. Complete the form with details of your charitable purpose and how it benefits Royston inhabitants

1. Submit applications to: Tees Law, John Street, Royston, SG8 9BE

For inquiries, contact: d.smyth@uhy-uk.com or call 7889106655

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Applicants should allow adequate time for trustee review and decision-making.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions have been identified. The trust has shown support for multiple projects from the same organizations over time (e.g., continued support for various Royston community initiatives).

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of successful grant recipients, the following factors appear important:

Strong Local Connection: All funded projects demonstrate clear benefit to Royston residents within the specified geographic catchment. Projects should articulate specific local impact.

Diverse Charitable Purposes: The trust has funded a wide range of projects from heritage preservation to youth services to environmental education. Don't self-select out based on sector - if it benefits local residents charitably, it may be considered.

Community Engagement: Successful projects often involve multiple partners or serve broad community needs. Examples include:

• The Saturday Screen program (partnership between police, cinema, and youth)
• Royston Arts Festival (community-wide cultural event)
• Friends of Therfield Heath guide (educational resource for public benefit)

Clear Deliverables: Funded projects have specific, tangible outputs - a published history, a printed guide, upgraded museum storage, monthly cinema screenings.

Organizational Credibility: Successful applicants include established local organizations with track records: registered charities, museums, town bands, and conservation groups.

Accessibility and Inclusion: The trust has particularly supported projects that remove barriers, such as free cinema screenings for young people and educational materials freely available to the public.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is strict: Ensure your project clearly serves inhabitants of Royston or the St John the Baptist parish area within the 2-mile radius.

• Broad charitable scope works in your favor: The trust's objects are intentionally broad (“any charitable purpose”), allowing diverse applications across sectors.

• Two application pathways exist: Organizations should use the Main Grant Application; individuals requiring charitable assistance should use the Individual Grant Application.

• Partnership projects may be particularly attractive: The trust has funded collaborative initiatives involving multiple stakeholders (police, cinema, community organizations).

• Document clear local benefit: All funded projects demonstrate tangible benefit to Royston residents - be specific about who will benefit and how.

• The trust is actively engaged: Recent grants in 2024 (Royston Museum), 2022 (Saturday Screen), and ongoing support for local events show this is an active, responsive funder.

• Applications go through formal legal channels: Submit to Tees Law solicitors at the John Street address, suggesting a structured review process.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Frank Litchfield General Charitable Trust
• The Stevenage Community Trust
• The Jack Brunton Charitable Trust
• FOWLER SMITH AND JONES TRUST
• The Bransford Trust
• The Pople Charitable Trust
• The Betty Riseley Trust for Children
• House of Industry Estate
• John Jackson Charitable Trust
• The Englefield Charitable Trust

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - The Brian Leslie Racher 2004 Charitable Trust (Charity No. 1108727): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1108727

• Royston Town Council Grants Page: https://www.roystontowncouncil.gov.uk/Grants_32994.aspx

• Find That Charity - GB-CHC-1108727: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1108727

• Royston Town Band “From Root to Branch” project (2017 grant recipient - £1,750): https://roystontownband.org.uk/2020/02/16/from-root-to-branch/

• Royston Crow “Royston Museum to upgrade collections and art store” (2024 grant recipient): https://www.royston-crow.co.uk/news/24878289.royston-museum-upgrade-collections-art-store/

• Hertfordshire Mercury “Police team up with Royston Picture Palace” (2022 Saturday Screen program): https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/police-team-up-royston-picture-7858617

• The Listing Magazine “The Friends Of Therfield Heath and Greens” (grant for guide printing): https://thelistingmagazine.co.uk/the-friends-of-therfield-heath-and-greens-4/

• Royston Crow "Royston Arts Festival 'a huge success' with community" (trust as festival sponsor): https://www.royston-crow.co.uk/news/23830254.royston-arts-festival-a-huge-success-community/