The Clare Milne Trust

Charity Number: 1191010

Annual Expenditure: £0.9M
Cornwall, Devon

Contact Info

Website:www.claremilnetrust.com

Phone:01395 270418

Email:info@claremilnetrust.com

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £801,454 (2024)
  • Total Distributed Since 2002: Over £12 million
  • Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (from deadline to notification)
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - No upper limit (registered charities); £5,000 - £14,999 (CICs/not-for-profit orgs)
  • Building Projects: Typically £30,000 - £50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Devon and Cornwall only
  • Reapplication Period: 2 years

Contact Details

  • Website: www.claremilnetrust.com
  • Email: info@claremilnetrust.com
  • Phone: 01395 270418
  • Location: Exeter, Devon, England

Overview

The Clare Milne Trust was established in 1999 by Clare Milne and her mother Lesley after receiving funds from the estate of Clare's grandfather, A.A. Milne (creator of Winnie the Pooh). Clare, who lived with cerebral palsy, was passionate about helping people with disabilities “live a full and active life.” The Trust began awarding grants in 2002 and has since distributed over £12 million to disability projects across Devon and Cornwall. In 2024 alone, the Trust awarded £801,454 to 70 organizations. The Trust is led by nine trustees and patron Roger Jefcoate CBE DL, operating with a clear mission to honor Clare's memory by supporting well-run, smaller charities with effective governance and strong volunteer support. Lesley Milne's dream was “to know that my girl will be remembered for something that brings happiness where it is most needed.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme (Rolling applications with quarterly deadlines)

  • Registered charities: £5,000 minimum - no upper limit
  • CICs and not-for-profit organizations: £5,000 - £14,999
  • Building projects: Typically £30,000 - £50,000
  • Applications reviewed quarterly in January, April, July, and October
  • Application deadlines typically 4 weeks before trustee meetings

Priority Areas

The Trust funds projects that benefit people of all ages with disabilities (physical, learning, mental, and sensory) living in Devon or Cornwall:

  • Activities and programmes for people with disabilities
  • Advice and support services
  • Capital projects including equipment and building work
  • Core costs and operational expenses
  • Salaries for staff working directly with people with disabilities
  • Training for staff and volunteers

2024 Funding Breakdown:

  • Projects and activities: 31 grants (£274,850)
  • Core costs: 13 grants (£213,235)
  • Capital projects: 12 grants (£183,127)
  • Equipment: 7 grants (£68,242)
  • Salary costs: 5 grants (£47,000)
  • Training costs: 2 grants (£15,000)

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals - grants only to organizations, not directly to people with disabilities
  • National charities or large organizations
  • Projects outside Devon or Cornwall
  • Organizations with annual income over £1 million
  • 100% project funding - expect to secure match funding
  • Reapplications within 2 years of a successful grant

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Brian Aird
  • Susie Croft
  • Charlie Dixon
  • Debbie Henshaw
  • Christine Kirk
  • Eavan McCafferty
  • Jacqueline Southon
  • Kevin Underwood
  • Keith Williams

Patron

Roger Jefcoate CBE DL

Governance Principles

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust is committed to fair and impartial evaluation of all applications. The trustees strive to honor Lesley's wishes and keep Clare's memory alive through their grant-making work.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  • Covering letter
  • Detailed budget
  • Cash flow forecast
  • Annual accounts
  • Quotes and plans (for capital projects)
  • Evidence of DBS checks and safeguarding training

Decision Timeline

  • Application deadlines: Typically 4 weeks before quarterly trustee meetings (January, April, July, October)
  • Trustee review: Applications considered at quarterly meetings
  • Notification: 2-3 weeks after trustee meeting
  • Grant agreement: If successful, sign grant agreement and provide banking details
  • Payment: 1-2 weeks after grant agreement returned
  • Total timeline: 6-8 weeks from deadline to funding received

Applications received outside deadline dates will be deferred to the next quarterly review.

Success Rates

In 2024, the Trust awarded 70 grants totaling £801,454. Specific application-to-success rate data is not publicly available, but the Trust is committed to fair and impartial evaluation of all eligible applications.

Reapplication Policy

Successful applicants must wait two years before reapplying to The Clare Milne Trust. This policy allows the Trust to reach a wide range of projects within Devon and Cornwall.

Application Success Factors

What the Trust Values

Strong organizational characteristics:

  • Small, well-run charities (annual income under £1 million)
  • Effective governance and financial management
  • Strong volunteer support and engagement
  • Modest expenditure on fundraising and administration
  • Up-to-date DBS checks and safeguarding training

Project characteristics:

  • Clear demonstration of direct benefit to people with disabilities in Devon or Cornwall
  • Evidence of match funding secured or strong fundraising plan (Trust rarely provides 100% funding)
  • Projects that help people with disabilities “live a full and active life”
  • Alignment with Clare's vision and values

Examples of Recently Funded Projects

Meadowside Charity - Substantial grant for Coronation Hall project providing a home for life for 11 vulnerable adults and expanding daycare and respite services

Adsurf - Funding for essential adaptive surfing equipment (wetsuits and surfboards) for people with disabilities, mental health conditions, and neurodiversity

2024 Beneficiaries included:

  • Age UK Plymouth
  • Devon Wildlife Trust
  • Exeter City Community Trust
  • Home-Start Kernow
  • Rowcroft Hospice
  • Theatre Royal Plymouth
  • Wave Project

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Applying without secured match funding
  • Annual income exceeding £1 million
  • Projects that don't directly benefit people with disabilities in Devon or Cornwall
  • Requesting 100% project funding
  • Incomplete supporting documentation
  • Missing application deadlines
  • Outdated safeguarding procedures

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Focus on local impact - Clearly demonstrate how your project benefits people with disabilities specifically in Devon or Cornwall. Geographic focus is critical.
  1. Show strong organizational health - Emphasize your charity's effective governance, volunteer support, and modest administration costs. The Trust favors well-run smaller organizations.
  1. Secure match funding first - The Trust rarely provides 100% funding. Demonstrate other funding sources secured or realistic fundraising plans before applying.
  1. Align with Clare's vision - Frame your project around helping people with disabilities “live a full and active life.” Use language that resonates with the Trust's values and Clare's memory.
  1. Time your application carefully - Plan for quarterly deadlines and the 6-8 week timeline from submission to funding. Applications outside deadline dates are deferred.
  1. Prepare comprehensive documentation - Ensure all supporting documents are complete, including budget, cash flow forecast, accounts, and evidence of safeguarding procedures.
  1. Build relationships - Contact the Trust with questions (info@claremilnetrust.com or 01395 270418) during the application development process.

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References