The Dorcas Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £107,000 - £111,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly available
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

• Email: JamesBroad@cygnet.org.uk
• Phone: 01638 720973
• Address: 14 Albert Crescent, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3DY
• Website: None available

Overview

The Dorcas Trust is a Christian grant-making charity established in 1978, based in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. With annual expenditure of approximately £107,000-111,000, the trust makes grants to both individuals and organisations throughout England and Wales. The trust operates with four trustees and focuses on three core charitable objectives: advancing the Christian religion, relieving poverty, and advancing education. Notably, the trust consistently spends approximately double its annual income, suggesting it may be drawing on reserves to fund its charitable activities. The trust operates as a private grant-maker without a public website or documented application process, likely identifying beneficiaries through trustee networks and personal knowledge.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate specific named grant programs but makes grants across its charitable objectives. Grant amounts and specific funding streams are not publicly disclosed.

Priority Areas

• Advancing the Christian religion
• Prevention or relief of poverty
• Education and training
• Recreation
• General charitable purposes

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are documented, though funding must align with Christian values and the trust's charitable objectives.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by four trustees:

• James Broad
• Mrs Jan Broad
• Paul Mangell
• Peter Leslie Butler

All trustees serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration, payments or benefits received from the charity. The trust maintains policies on financial controls, investments, and conflicts of interest.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the trustees' discretion, likely to organisations and individuals known to the trustees or identified through their networks.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations interested in funding should contact the trustees directly via email (JamesBroad@cygnet.org.uk) or phone (01638 720973). Given the Suffolk location and Christian focus, connections through local churches or Christian networks in the Bury St. Edmunds area may be particularly valuable for establishing initial contact.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not documented

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's charitable objects and structure, key success factors likely include:

• Strong alignment with Christian values and mission
• Projects that combine faith-based work with poverty relief or education
• Geographic relevance to England and Wales, potentially with Suffolk connections
• Personal introduction or recommendation from within the trustees' networks
• Clear demonstration of how the project advances the trust's three core objectives
• Realistic funding requests appropriate to a trust with annual giving around £100,000

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private Christian trust without a public application process - direct contact with trustees is essential
• Projects must align with Christian values and at least one of three objectives: advancing Christianity, relieving poverty, or advancing education
• The trust funds both individuals and organisations, offering flexibility in beneficiary types
• With annual expenditure around £107,000-111,000, expect modest grant amounts rather than major funding
• The Suffolk location may indicate preference for local or regionally connected projects
• Building relationships through Christian networks may be more effective than cold approaches
• The trust's high spend rate relative to income suggests possible time-limited funding availability

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE MILK AND HONEY TRUST
• CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATES UNITED KINGDOM
• The James Grace Trust
• Stobart Newlands Charitable Trust
• Forest Hill Charitable Trust
• THE MACDAIBHIDH CHARITABLE TRUST
• GOLDEN STABLE
• DENCOMMON LIMITED
• Grimsdale Charitable Trust
• THE ZOOM ZOOM TRUST

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Dorcas Trust (275494): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/275494/full-print
• Charity Choice Directory - The Dorcas Trust listing: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-dorcas-trust-157663
• Total Giving Platform - The Dorcas Trust profile: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/the-dorcas-trust