The Charles Sykes Trust Also Known As The Charles And Elsie Sykes Trust

Charity Number: 206926

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £538,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 1-2 months from deadline
  • Grant Range: £3,000 - £100,000 (most grants £3,000-£5,000; larger commemorative grants occasionally awarded)
  • Geographic Focus: Yorkshire (medical projects may benefit wider UK)
  • Total Funds: £19 million

Contact Details

Website: www.charlesandelsiesykestrust.co.uk

Email: n.shaw@lcf.co.uk

Phone: 01423 502211

Administrator: Mrs. Helen Hawley

Secretary: Mr. Neil Shaw

Overview

The Charles Sykes Trust was founded on 16 December 1954 by Charles Sykes, a successful businessman in the West Riding knitting wool trade who began his career as a 12-year-old office boy. He pledged to help those “in distress who had not been as fortunate as himself.” After Charles's death in 1967, his widow Elsie continued the charitable work, for which she was awarded the OBE. The Trust was renamed following her death in 1987 in recognition of her considerable contribution. Today, the Trust operates with total funds of approximately £19 million (2023) and distributes around £538,000 annually to registered charities across Yorkshire. The Trust's investment strategy focuses on preservation and enhancement of capital value to sustain long-term grant-making.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grants: £3,000 - £5,000

  • Rolling quarterly application process
  • Applications considered at quarterly trustee meetings
  • Submitted via downloadable application form (post or email)

Special Commemorative Grants: £75,000 - £100,000

  • Occasionally awarded for significant projects
  • Recent examples include Opera North (£100,000), Yorkshire Cancer Research (£75,000), and Ripon Cathedral Music Trust (£100,000)

Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly deadlines

Priority Areas

The Trust provides grants for projects that benefit Yorkshire through the relief of need, particularly:

  • Youth projects: Supporting young people's development and welfare
  • Old age: Services for elderly populations
  • Welfare: General community welfare initiatives
  • Medicine: Medical research and healthcare projects (can benefit wider UK)
  • Arts and culture: Music education and cultural excellence
  • Outreach programmes: Community engagement initiatives

What They Don't Fund

  • Personal applications (individuals cannot apply)
  • Overseas applications
  • Maintenance projects for schools, playgroups, cadet forces, scouts, guides, and churches (these organizations must apply for outreach programmes only)
  • Organizations not based in or benefiting Yorkshire (except medical research)
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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Mr. David Mead

Secretary: Mr. Neil Shaw

Administrator: Mrs. Helen Hawley

Treasurer: Mr. John Garbutt

Number of Trustees: 9 (including Sara Buchan, Barry Kay, and others)

The Trust operates with a subcommittee structure, including two doctors who specifically review medical project applications before presenting recommendations to the full board of Trustees.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Download the application form (PDF or Word format) from the Trust's website
  2. Download and complete the Trust Checklist to ensure all requirements are met
  3. Limit your “Reason for application” to 250 words
  4. Include your most recent audited or examined accounts
  5. Provide project details and costings if applicable
  6. Optional: Include a covering letter
  7. Submit via post or email to Mrs. Helen Hawley

Application deadlines: Last Friday of January, April, July, and October

Trustee meetings: March, June, September, and December

Decision Timeline

  • Applications are reviewed by a subcommittee (including two doctors for medical projects)
  • Full Trustees vote at quarterly meetings
  • Applicants receive written notification by the end of the month following the meeting (approximately 1-2 months from deadline)
  • If you miss a deadline, your application will be held for the next meeting

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trust receives applications quarterly and distributes approximately £538,000 annually.

Reapplication Policy

  • There is no opportunity to appeal a decision
  • The Trustees are under no obligation to state reasons for rejection
  • Unsuccessful applicants may reapply, but no specific waiting period is stated
  • All granted funds are monitored, and a board member may visit to assess success

Application Success Factors

Specific Guidance from the Trust

  • Be concise: Limit your main reason for application to 250 words
  • Use the checklist: Download and complete the provided checklist to ensure your application is complete
  • Provide comprehensive information: Include detailed project costings and supporting documentation to help Trustees make their decision
  • Geographic alignment: Clearly demonstrate how your project benefits Yorkshire (or the UK for medical projects)
  • Examined accounts required: Applications without recent audited/examined accounts will not be considered

Recent Funded Projects

The Trust has recently supported:

  • Yorkshire Cancer Research (£75,000): Three-year project to compile a comprehensive profile of cancer issues in Yorkshire
  • In Harmony Opera North (£100,000): Music performance and tuition in South Leeds schools and communities
  • Ripon Cathedral Music Trust (£100,000): Permanent endowment fund for musical excellence and inclusive outreach

Strategic Considerations

  • The Trust values projects addressing the founding mission: helping those “in distress who had not been as fortunate”
  • Medical research projects receive specialist review from trustee doctors
  • Larger grants appear to focus on sustainable impact (endowments, multi-year projects)
  • The Trust commemorates its founding with occasional special grants to organizations aligned with Charles and Elsie Sykes's interests
  • Outreach and community engagement are prioritized over infrastructure/maintenance

Common Success Factors

  • Clear benefit to Yorkshire communities
  • Focus on relief of need in priority areas (youth, elderly, welfare, medicine)
  • Well-documented project plans with realistic costings
  • Demonstrated organizational sustainability (through examined accounts)
  • Alignment with the Trust's historical mission and values

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Yorkshire focus is essential: Unless applying for medical research, you must clearly demonstrate direct benefit to Yorkshire communities
  • Keep it concise: The 250-word limit for your main application narrative requires clear, focused writing
  • Use the checklist religiously: The Trust provides a detailed checklist—use it to ensure your application is complete
  • Plan for quarterly cycles: With only four decision points per year, timing your application strategically is important
  • Don't expect feedback: Trustees will not explain rejections, so ensure your first submission is strong
  • Emphasize relief of need: Applications should clearly address how they help those in distress or need
  • Monitor post-award: Be prepared for potential site visits to demonstrate impact—the Trust monitors funded projects
  • Consider outreach over maintenance: If you're a school or church, frame your application around outreach programmes rather than infrastructure

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