The Chartered Secretaries' Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £242,107 (2023-24)
• Grant Range: Up to £1,000 (emergency hardship grants); 75-90% of course fees (bursaries)
• Geographic Focus: International (UK, Ireland, and former Commonwealth countries)
• Beneficiaries: Members, graduates, students, and employees of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland and their families
• Annual Income: £290,422 (2023-24)

Contact Details

Address: Saffron House, 6-10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS

Phone: 020 7612 7048 / 7049

Email: CSCT@cgi.org.uk

Website: https://www.cgi.org.uk/about-us/charitable-trust

For hardship applications, contact directly via email or phone above.

Overview

Established in summer 2013, The Chartered Secretaries' Charitable Trust consolidated three predecessor charities (the ICSA Benevolent Fund, ICSA Education and Research Foundation, and ICSA Prize Fund) into a single entity. With total income of £290,422 and expenditure of £242,107 in the year ending 31 July 2024, the Trust serves a defined beneficiary group connected to The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland. The Trust operates internationally across the UK, Ireland, and multiple former Commonwealth countries including Australia, India, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe. Governed by seven trustees and supported by 16 volunteers with no paid employees, the Trust focuses on three core areas: providing hardship support to individuals in financial need, advancing governance education through bursaries and prizes, and facilitating research to promote good governance practices for public benefit.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Individual Hardship Grants: Up to £1,000 (emergency grants)

• Provides financial assistance to eligible individuals experiencing hardship
• Emergency grants can be approved quickly by the Chairman of the Support and Grants Committee
• Interest-free loans up to £5,000 also available in some cases
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis

2. Education Bursaries: 75-90% of course fees

• Certificate in Charity Law and Governance: Up to six bursaries at 75% of course fees (applicants cover 25%)
• Other sector qualifications (Academy Governance, Social Housing Governance, etc.): Ten bursaries annually at 90% of course fees (applicants cover 10%)
• Application deadlines vary by course (typically June-July for October starts)

3. Student Prizes: Variable amounts

• Named Prizes awarded to students achieving the highest marks in The Chartered Governance Institute examinations
• Recipients identified automatically by The Institute based on examination performance
• No application process for prizes

4. Research and Education Grants: Amount not specified

• Supports research and publication in governance and business administration
• Funding for activities that “significantly progress and promote the practice of good governance”
• Application method not publicly detailed

Priority Areas

• Financial hardship relief for individuals in need “by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage”
• Education and training in governance, law, and business administration
• Research into good governance practices and publication of results
• Recognition of academic excellence in governance studies
• Professional development in the governance sector

Who Can Apply

Eligible beneficiaries must be current or former:

• Members of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland
• Affiliate members
• Graduates or students
• Employees
• Widows, widowers, surviving civil partners, children, or other dependents of the above

Important note: “There are however conditions on the range and extent which govern eligibility,” and applicants must have “maintained a minimum continued relationship with the Institute.”

What They Don't Fund

The Trust does not provide:

• Support to individuals with no connection to The Chartered Governance Institute
• Grants to organizations (individual beneficiaries only, though research grants may be institutional)
• Retroactive funding for courses already commenced without prior approval

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (as of 2024)

• Mr F E Curtiss FCG FCMA - Chair (appointed July 2013)
• Mr I J Burger FCG - Trustee (appointed July 2013)
• Mr A P Theakston FCG - Trustee (appointed August 2014)
• Claire Louise Robson FCG - Deputy Chair (appointed May 2019, Deputy Chair since 2021)
• Derek John Lewis LLB FCG - Trustee (appointed July 2023)
• Victoria Margaret Penrice FCG - Trustee (appointed November 2023)
• Lisa Melanie Sunner FCG - Trustee (appointed November 2025)

All trustees hold the FCG designation (Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute), demonstrating deep expertise in governance practice. No trustees receive remuneration from the charity. The Trust is supported by 16 volunteers and has no paid employees with benefits exceeding £60,000.

Committee Structure

Support and Grants Committee: Reviews all hardship and grant applications, holding a minimum of three meetings per year. The Chairman of this Committee has delegated authority to approve emergency grants up to £1,000 and interest-free loans up to £5,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Hardship Grants:

• Contact the Trust directly via email (CSCT@cgi.org.uk) or phone (020 7612 7048/7049)
• Download and complete the Charitable Trust Application Form available on the website
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis
• For emergencies, the Chairman can make rapid decisions

For Education Bursaries:

• Applications submitted directly to the Trust for specific courses
• Different courses have different deadlines (typically June-July for October course starts)
• Applicants must demonstrate ability to cover the remaining 10-25% of fees
• Organizations may need to provide annual reports and accounts

For Student Prizes:

• No application required - recipients automatically identified by examination performance

For Research Grants:

• No public application process detailed; refer to Education and Research grant aid policy or contact the Trust directly

Decision Timeline

• Hardship grants: Emergency grants can be approved rapidly by the Chairman; routine grants reviewed at Committee meetings (minimum three meetings annually)
• Bursaries: Notifications typically 3-4 weeks after deadline (e.g., applications by 30 June, notifications by 23 July)
• Overall review cycle: Grants reviewed “when circumstances determine and at least annually”

Success Rates

Success rate information not publicly available. The Trust had total expenditure of £242,107 in 2023-24, indicating substantial grant-making activity relative to the size of the beneficiary pool.

Reapplication Policy

• Grants are “reviewed when circumstances determine and at least annually,” suggesting ongoing support is possible for hardship cases
• No specific waiting period mentioned for unsuccessful applicants
• Appeals policy available for applicants who wish to challenge decisions

Application Success Factors

Eligibility is Paramount

Applicants must have a demonstrable connection to The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland and have “maintained a minimum continued relationship with the Institute.” Review the eligibility criteria carefully before applying.

Demonstrate Financial Need Clearly

For hardship grants, the Trust helps those in need “by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.” Be specific and provide evidence of your circumstances.

Show Commitment for Bursaries

Bursary applicants must demonstrate ability to fund the remaining 10-25% of course fees, showing financial commitment to their professional development.

Align with Governance Mission

The Trust exists to “increase good governance for the benefit of the public.” For research or education grants, clearly articulate how your project advances governance knowledge or practice.

Contact for Guidance

The Trust welcomes direct contact (phone or email) before formal application, particularly for hardship cases. Don't hesitate to discuss your circumstances or eligibility questions.

Provide Complete Documentation

For bursary applications requiring organizational documentation (e.g., annual reports and accounts), ensure all materials are submitted with your application to avoid delays.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Niche beneficiary group: This funder serves only those connected to The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland - verify your eligibility before applying
• Multiple grant streams: Understand which program fits your needs (hardship, bursary, research) and follow the appropriate application route
• Rapid emergency support available: For urgent hardship cases, the Chairman can approve grants up to £1,000 quickly - don't delay if you need immediate help
• Strong education focus: The Trust is particularly committed to advancing governance education, with substantial bursary programs covering 75-90% of course fees
• Rolling basis for hardship: Hardship applications accepted year-round, not tied to fixed deadlines
• Direct contact encouraged: The Trust welcomes phone and email inquiries - use this to clarify eligibility or discuss your circumstances before applying
• International scope: Despite UK registration, the Trust operates across multiple countries where The Chartered Governance Institute has presence

References

• The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, "The Chartered Secretaries' Charitable Trust," https://www.cgi.org.uk/about-us/charitable-trust
• UK Charity Commission, "Charity overview: THE CHARTERED SECRETARIES' CHARITABLE TRUST - 1152784," https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5038504/full-print
• The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, “Grant aid policy,” https://www.cgi.org.uk/about-us/charitable-trust/our-policies/grant-aid-policy
• The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, “Certificate in Charity Law and Governance,” https://www.cgi.org.uk/qualifications-training/qualifications/sector-qualifications/charity/certificate-in-charity-law-and-governance/
• The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, “Certificate in Academy Governance,” https://www.cgi.org.uk/qualifications-training/qualifications/sector-qualifications/academy/certificate-in-academy-governance/