The Cedar House Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £92,784 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not specified
• Geographic Focus: England & Wales (focus on criminal justice sector)

Contact Details

• Website: www.cedarhousect.com
• Email: cedarhousetrust@gmail.com
• Phone: 07711138839
• Charity Number: 1198944

Overview

Founded in 2022, The Cedar House Charitable Trust (CHCT) is a relatively new grant-making organization supporting frontline charities and Community Interest Companies working with people in the criminal justice system. The trust focuses on men and women who are or have been in custody or who are considered at risk of offending, with particular emphasis on training, education, and employment opportunities. For the financial year ending 31 March 2024, CHCT had a total income of £120,931 and made grants totaling £92,784. The trust is governed by three trustees who serve without remuneration. Beyond grant-making, CHCT recently launched a pilot project across two sites of a large prison that supports purposeful activity, creativity, and positive connection within the prison community, demonstrating their commitment to direct intervention as well as funding other organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Criminal justice rehabilitation and prevention program: Amount varies (invitation-only basis)

Priority Areas

• Education, training, and employment for people with criminal justice involvement
• Strengthening family and social bonds for prisoners and prison leavers
• Rehabilitation and resettlement support
• Prison-based programs addressing purposeful activity and wellbeing
• Skilled textiles training for prisoners
• Food education and improvement in prisons
• Horticulture employment for women with lived prison experience
• Immigration and asylum advice services
• Financial literacy and support for long-term prisoners
• Mentoring and support services

What They Don't Fund

Information about explicit exclusions is not publicly available, but the trust's narrow focus on criminal justice rehabilitation suggests they do not fund organizations outside the criminal justice sector or work not related to prisoners, prison leavers, or those at risk of offending.

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Governance and Leadership

The Cedar House Charitable Trust is governed by three trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust operates with no paid employees with total benefits over £60,000, suggesting a lean, volunteer-led governance structure.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Applications for financial support are sought on an invitation-only basis. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications directly to the trust. The trust identifies potential grantees through their own research and networks within the criminal justice sector.

For invited organizations, an online application form exists with three key questions:

1. Description of work (100-word limit)
2. Challenges faced by target population (100-word limit)
3. Hoped-for impact (300-word limit)

Decision Timeline

If an application is successful, the trust will be in touch with applicants. Specific timeframes for decisions are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

No information is publicly available about the number of applications received versus grants awarded, or the success rate for invited applicants.

Reapplication Policy

No information is publicly available about whether unsuccessful applicants can reapply or if there are any restrictions or waiting periods.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about the trust's decision-making process, the following factors can be inferred from their stated priorities and funding patterns:

• Registered charity or Community Interest Company (CIC) status
• Annual expenditure around £300,000 or less (guideline, not absolute rule)
• Direct work with prisoners, prison leavers, or those at risk of offending
• Clear focus on education, training, employment, or family/social bonds
• Frontline service delivery (as opposed to policy work or research)
• Demonstrable impact on beneficiaries' rehabilitation or prevention of offending
• Innovation or filling gaps in existing provision
• Concise, clear communication within strict word limits
• Specific description of target population's challenges
• Articulate explanation of hoped-for impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only model: This is not a funder you can approach directly with an unsolicited application
• Narrow focus: CHCT has a very specific remit around criminal justice, education, employment, and family bonds
• Small organization preference: With most support going to charities/CICs with expenditure around £300,000 or less
• Concise communication valued: The 100 and 300-word limits in their application form suggest they value clear, focused proposals
• Relatively new funder: Founded in 2022, they are still building their grant-making portfolio
• Dual approach: Their own pilot project in prisons alongside grant-making suggests hands-on engagement with the sector

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Sheriffs' and Recorders' Fund
• THE WEAVERS' COMPANY BENEVOLENT FUND
• Michael and Shirley Hunt Charitable Trust
• THE FORRESTER FAMILY TRUST
• The Leigh Trust
• THE BROMLEY TRUST
• Comic Relief (Charity Projects)
• THE HADLEY TRUST
• The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund
• The Kelly Family Charitable Trust

References

• The Cedar House Charitable Trust official website: https://www.cedarhousect.com/
• UK Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 1198944: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5185427
• Companies House, Company Number CE028760: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/CE028760