The Cobtree Charity Trust Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £181,942 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (3-month cycle)
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000
• Geographic Focus: Maidstone and surrounding areas within Kent
• Organizations Supported: Approximately 60 charitable organizations

Contact Details

• Website: www.cobtreecharitytrust.org
• Email: cobtreecharitytrust@outlook.com
• Phone: 07769585553
• Address: The Secretary, The Cobtree Charity Trust Limited, 3 Thurnham Oast, Aldington Lane, Thurnham, Maidstone ME14 3LL

For any doubts about eligibility or application requirements, applicants are encouraged to contact the trust before applying.

Overview

The Cobtree Charity Trust Limited was established in 1951 by Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake and his wife Lady Edna to secure the future of the Cobtree Manor Estate for the benefit of the inhabitants of Maidstone and surrounding areas. Sir Garrard (1881-1964) was a prominent businessman and philanthropist who served as Mayor of Maidstone twelve times between 1915 and 1950 and was knighted in 1936 for political and public services to the County of Kent. Having no children, the couple established the trust to ensure their estate would continue to serve the community. The trust owns the freehold interest in the estate, which now includes Cobtree Manor Park, Cobtree Golf Course, Kent Wildlife Trust headquarters (Tyland Barn), and the Kent Life museum. The trust's principal activities focus on the continued maintenance, upkeep and development of Cobtree Manor Estate, and the support of charitable organisations within the area. The trust currently supports approximately 60 charitable organizations based in Maidstone and the surrounding area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grant Programme: Up to £5,000 per grant

• Application method: Email application form (available for download from website)
• Rolling quarterly deadlines (see Application Process section)
• Supporting materials including photographs may be sent electronically or as hard copy

Priority Areas

Applications must align with the Trust's founding aims:

• Establish, promote, equip, maintain and support any charitable undertaking or object in or for the benefit of the inhabitants of Maidstone and areas within the county of Kent
• Maintain support of public parks and open spaces
• Support museums and other buildings
• Support amenities for the promotion of mental, moral and physical education and health within the Maidstone and Kent area

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside the Maidstone and surrounding Kent area
• Non-charitable organizations or undertakings
• Projects that do not align with the trust's aims of supporting education, health, parks, open spaces, or cultural amenities

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Governance and Leadership

The Cobtree Charity Trust Limited is governed by 8 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The trust has no employees with benefits over £60,000 and operates without trading subsidiaries.

The trust is registered as Company Number 00500208 and maintains its charitable status through the Charity Commission (Charity Number 208455).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Pre-Application: Review the eligibility criteria carefully. If you have doubts about whether your project aligns with the trust's aims, contact them at cobtreecharitytrust@outlook.com before submitting an application.

1. Application Form: Download the application form from the trust's website (www.cobtreecharitytrust.org/how-to-apply) and complete it fully.

1. Submission: Email the completed application form to cobtreecharitytrust@outlook.com. Supporting materials including photographs may be sent electronically or as hard copy. Note that unless material is in e-files or compressed, it cannot be distributed to trustees in advance of the decision meeting.

1. Reporting Requirement: It is a condition of any grant that descriptive and financial reports must be sent to the trustees at the end of the year for which the grant was made.

Decision Timeline

Quarterly Meeting Schedule:

• Trustees meet in January, April, July, and October
• Applications must be received by the first of the month preceding each meeting
• Late applications will automatically be deferred until the following quarterly meeting

Example Timeline:

• For the April meeting: Applications due by March 1st
• For the July meeting: Applications due by June 1st
• For the October meeting: Applications due by September 1st
• For the January meeting: Applications due by December 1st

Typical timeframe from submission to decision: Up to 3 months depending on when application is received relative to the quarterly meeting schedule.

Success Rates

The trust supports approximately 60 charitable organizations in the Maidstone area. Specific application numbers and success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

The trust's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Contact the trust directly at cobtreecharitytrust@outlook.com for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's published guidance and criteria:

1. Geographic Alignment is Critical: Your project must clearly benefit the inhabitants of Maidstone and surrounding areas within Kent. This is a non-negotiable requirement.

1. Clear Alignment with Trust Aims: The trust emphasizes that "applications must be in line with the Trust's aims." Successful applications will clearly demonstrate how they support one or more of the trust's core objectives: education, health, parks and open spaces, museums, or cultural amenities.

1. Contact if Uncertain: The trust specifically advises: “If you have doubts, contact the trust beforehand.” This suggests they value pre-application dialogue and want to ensure applicants don't waste time on unsuitable applications.

1. Complete Applications with Supporting Evidence: The trust accepts supporting materials including photographs. Well-documented applications with clear evidence of need and impact are likely to be viewed favorably.

1. Timely Submission: Late applications are automatically deferred to the next quarterly meeting. Submit well before deadlines to ensure consideration at the desired meeting.

1. Specific Cost Breakdown: As with most grant-making trusts, clear specification of what the grant will fund is essential. Detail specific costs within the £5,000 maximum.

1. Demonstrate Capability: Show your organization has the capacity and experience to deliver the proposed project successfully.

1. Plan for Reporting: Remember that grant acceptance includes a commitment to provide descriptive and financial reports at year-end. Demonstrate your organization's ability to fulfill this requirement.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Maximum grant of £5,000 - ensure your request is realistic and fits within this cap
• Geographic restriction is strict - only Maidstone and surrounding Kent areas are eligible
• Quarterly decision cycle - plan your application timing carefully around the January, April, July, October meetings with deadlines on the 1st of the preceding month
• Pre-application contact is welcomed - the trust encourages applicants to reach out if uncertain about eligibility
• Alignment with founding mission is essential - your project must support education, health, parks, open spaces, museums, or cultural amenities
• Year-end reporting is mandatory - be prepared to provide both descriptive and financial reports at the end of the grant period
• Supporting documentation matters - include photographs and other evidence, but ensure files are compressed for electronic distribution to trustees

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation
• William and Edith Oldham Charitable Trust
• Peter Adams Trust
• Headley Pitt Trust
• E F AND M G HALL CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust
• The Cole Charitable Trust
• Gatwick Airport Community Trust
• The Great Stone Bridge Trust of Edenbridge
• Queenborough Fishery Trust

References

• The Cobtree Charity Trust Limited official website: https://www.cobtreecharitytrust.org/
• How to Apply page: https://www.cobtreecharitytrust.org/how-to-apply
• Charity Commission Register entry for The Cobtree Charity Trust Limited (Charity Number 208455): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_regId=208455
• Funding for All profile: https://fundingforall.org.uk/funds/the-cobtree-charity-trust/
• Visit Maidstone - History of Cobtree Manor Park: https://www.visitmaidstone.com/inspire/history-of-maidstone/history-of-cobtree-manor-park
• Wikipedia entry for Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrard_Tyrwhitt-Drake