The Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £918,514
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: 3 months
• Grant Range: £3,000 - £20,000
• Geographic Focus: Midlands region (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire)

Contact Details

Website: www.edwardcadburytrust.org.uk

Email: sue.anderson@edwardcadburytrust.org.uk

Phone: 0121 472 1838

Trust Manager: Sue Anderson

Overview

The Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust was established in 1945 by Edward Cadbury (1873-1948), grandson of the founder of the Cadbury chocolate company and former chairman of Cadbury Brothers. A committed Quaker philanthropist, Edward Cadbury's personal interests in education, religion, and social welfare continue to shape the trust's work today. The trust is a grant-giving charity principally supporting the voluntary sector in the Midlands region, with total income of £1,535,162 and charitable expenditure of £918,514 in recent accounts. Guided by Quaker values of simplicity, equality, justice, peace, and care of the environment, the trust makes grants to registered charities across seven priority areas. The trust is managed by seven trustees who receive no remuneration, maintaining the philanthropic ethos established by its founder.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single rolling grant program:

• General Grants: £3,000 - £20,000 (typical range £3,000-£5,000)
• One-off grants awarded for specific projects or purposes
• Larger grants up to £20,000 occasionally awarded for significant projects or capital appeals
• Applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis
• Decisions made within a three-month timescale

Priority Areas

The trust focuses on seven core areas that reflect Edward Cadbury's legacy and Quaker values:

1. Arts and Culture - Supporting arts organizations and cultural initiatives
2. Community Projects and Integration - Building cohesive communities and promoting integration
3. Compassionate Support - Supporting the oppressed and disadvantaged
4. Conservation and Environment - Environmental protection and conservation projects
5. Education and Training - Educational initiatives and skills development
6. Interfaith and Multifaith Relations - Promoting dialogue and understanding between faith communities
7. Research - Supporting research aligned with the trust's values

All funding must demonstrate alignment with Quaker values of simplicity, equality, justice, peace, and care of the environment.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals - Only registered charities are eligible
• Non-registered organizations - Must be a registered charity
• Organizations outside the Midlands region - Principally fund charities operating in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire
• Applications outside stated areas of interest - May not be considered or acknowledged
• Ongoing operational costs - Grants are typically one-off for specific projects rather than core funding

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Governance and Leadership

Governance Structure:

• Seven trustees who receive no remuneration
• One employee (Trust Manager earning £70-80k annually)
• No trading subsidiaries
• Trustees assess applications against trust objectives and Charity Commission public benefit guidelines

The trust maintains the ethos established by founder Edward Cadbury, with trustees believing that “our mission remains as relevant today as when it was first established” in 1945. This commitment to the founder's vision, combined with Quaker principles, guides all funding decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted at any time via:

• Online application through the trust website (www.edwardcadburytrust.org.uk)
• Written application to the Trust Manager by post or email

Required Information:

• Clear, concise description of the project
• Intended outcomes and benefits
• Outline budget
• Funding plan (both initial and future sustainability)
• Latest annual report and accounts
• Charity registration details

Decision Timeline

• Application review period: Approximately 3 months
• Rolling basis: Applications accepted year-round
• Assessment process: Trustees evaluate applications against trust objectives and Charity Commission public benefit guidelines
• Notification: Applicants are informed of decisions after trustee meetings

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The trust makes grants totaling approximately £918,514 annually across multiple charities in the Midlands region.

Reapplication Policy

The trust does not publish a specific reapplication policy. Applicants seeking to reapply after an unsuccessful application should contact the Trust Manager directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors:

1. Geographic Focus - Organizations must principally operate within the Midlands region (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire)

1. Values Alignment - Demonstrate clear connection to Quaker values: simplicity, equality, justice, peace, and care of the environment

1. Clear Project Focus - Applications should be for specific, one-off projects rather than general running costs

1. Outcomes-Focused - Clearly articulate intended outcomes and benefits of the project

1. Financial Planning - Provide realistic budgets and evidence of sustainability planning

1. Public Benefit - Show how the project meets Charity Commission public benefit guidelines

Application Tips:

• Be concise and clear - The trust values straightforward, well-articulated proposals
• Match priority areas - Ensure your project clearly fits within one or more of the seven funding areas
• Show values alignment - Explicitly connect your work to Quaker values where genuine alignment exists
• Demonstrate impact - Focus on tangible outcomes and benefits to beneficiaries
• Provide complete information - Include all required documentation to avoid delays
• Consider project size - Tailor grant requests to the typical range (£3,000-£5,000) unless it's a significant project requiring larger support

Warning: Applications outside the trust's stated areas of interest may not be considered or acknowledged. Ensure strong alignment before applying.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Midlands-focused - Geographic location is crucial; principally funding organizations operating in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire

• Quaker values matter - Projects demonstrating alignment with simplicity, equality, justice, peace, and environmental care have stronger appeal

• Project-specific funding - Target grants of £3,000-£5,000 for specific projects; larger grants up to £20,000 possible for significant capital appeals

• Three-month decision window - Plan applications with a quarterly decision timeline in mind

• Seven clear priority areas - Ensure strong fit with arts/culture, community integration, compassionate support, conservation, education, interfaith relations, or research

• Complete applications - Submit all required documentation including annual accounts and detailed project plans to avoid delays

• Rolling applications - No deadline pressure; applications accepted year-round allows for thoughtful, well-prepared submissions

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• The Swire Charitable Trust
• THE EVESON TRUST
• THE ERNEST KLEINWORT CHARITABLE TRUST
• The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• Baron Davenport's Charity
• THE STEEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE JOHN HORSEMAN TRUST
• Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund
• VAUGHAN WILLIAMS FOUNDATION
• THE SCOPS ARTS TRUST
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION
• G J W TURNER TRUST
• THE GRIMMITT TRUST
• THE SAINTBURY TRUST
• THE AUSTIN AND HOPE PILKINGTON TRUST
• THE GRANTHAM YORKE TRUST
• THE COLE CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE SUMMERFIELD CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust official website: https://www.edwardcadburytrust.org.uk/
• Edward Cadbury Trust - About Us: https://www.edwardcadburytrust.org.uk/about-us
• Edward Cadbury Trust - Applying for Grants: https://www.edwardcadburytrust.org.uk/applying-for-grants
• Charity Commission Register - THE EDWARD CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST (1160334): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1160334&subid=0
• Wikipedia - Edward Cadbury: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Cadbury
• Get Grants - Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust: https://www.getgrants.org.uk/edward-cadbury-charitable-trust/