The Clare Milne Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £636,000 (2023)
• 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 organisations)
• 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 supported disability projects across Devon and Cornwall. The Trust is led by nine trustees and patron Roger Jefcoate CBE DL, operating with a clear mission to honour 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 Programmes

Main Grant Programme (Rolling applications with quarterly deadlines)

• Registered charities: £5,000 minimum - no upper limit
• CICs and not-for-profit organisations: £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

What They Don't Fund

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

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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 honour Lesley's wishes and keep Clare's memory alive through their grant-making work.

How to Apply to The Clare Milne Trust

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.

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 organisational 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

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 organisational health - Emphasise your charity's effective governance, volunteer support, and modest administration costs. The Trust favours well-run smaller organisations.

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.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• National Lottery
• The Eveson Trust
• The David Family Foundation
• The Norman Family Charitable Trust
• The D'oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• The Big Give Trust
• The London Community Foundation
• The Henry Smith Foundation
• The Apax Foundation
• The February Foundation
• Cornwall Community Foundation
• The Sir James Knott Trust
• The Rayne Foundation
• John James Bristol Foundation
• The Edward Gostling Foundation
• The Shanly Foundation
• P F Charitable Trust
• The Sir James Reckitt Charity
• The Simon Gibson Charitable Trust
• Backstage Trust

References

• The Clare Milne Trust official website: https://claremilnetrust.com/
• Our Funding Criteria: https://claremilnetrust.com/our-funding-criteria/
• Apply for Funding: https://claremilnetrust.com/apply-for-funding/
• About the Trust: https://claremilnetrust.com/about-the-trust/
• Grants Awarded in 2023: https://claremilnetrust.com/previous-grants-awarded/
• “So what is The Clare Milne Trust?” Blog post, April 2025: https://claremilnetrust.com/2025/04/18/so-what-is-the-clare-milne-trust/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1191010
• Cornwall Community Foundation - Clare Milne Trust Fund Holder page: https://cornwallcommunityfoundation.com/fundholders/clare-milne-trust/
• "Beloved children's author's legacy lives on," Sidmouth Herald: https://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/20463709.beloved-childrens-authors-legacy-lives/