The Elmgrant Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £80,000-£100,000
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: 6-10 weeks (applications submitted 1 month before trustee meetings)
• Grant Range: £50 - £5,000 (typical organisational grants around £550)
• Geographic Focus: Southwest England (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset - excluding Bristol and Bath & NES)

Contact Details

Address: The Elmhirst Centre, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL

Phone: 01803 863 160

Email: info@elmgrant.org.uk

Website: www.elmgrant.org.uk

Note: For queries about specific application deadlines, contact the Secretary directly.

Overview

The Elmgrant Trust is a grant-making charity established through a trust deed dated 17th November 1936, with subsequent variations through 2013. Based at Dartington Hall, the Trust was created to further the Dartington ethos by supporting individuals and organisations whose aims align with Dartington's values. The charity makes grants for general charitable purposes to individuals living in the Southwest of England and organisations with regional projects, particularly focusing on the encouragement of local life through education, the arts, and social sciences. With an annual expenditure of approximately £100,000, the Trust awarded grants totalling £79,356 to 108 organisations in 2019, with more recent accounts showing expenditure of £108,121 (2024) and £97,712 (2023). The Trust particularly favours applications from Devon and Cornwall, though it will consider projects across the broader Southwest region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants for Organisations: £50 - £5,000 (average £550)

• Core running costs or project costs for small, established organisations with proven track records
• Rolling applications reviewed three times annually at trustee meetings

Individual Support Grants:

• Under 18s: Up to £1,000
• Over 18s: Up to £3,000
• For individuals furthering their education to improve job prospects with clear compassionate financial need

Application Schedule: Applications reviewed at trustee meetings held three times annually, typically on the last Saturday of February, June, and October. Applications must be submitted one clear month before the meeting date.

Priority Areas

• Quality of Life and Welfare: Projects improving local community wellbeing
• Arts: Art projects and initiatives enhancing community cultural life
• Education: Educational programmes and individual further education with clear benefit to job prospects and demonstrated financial need
• Social Sciences: Projects in social sciences that support local community development

Geographic Priority: While the Trust covers Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Dorset (excluding Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset), it particularly favours projects in Devon and Cornwall.

Organisational Type: The Trust is happy to receive applications from small, established organisations with proven records of making significant local differences. They rarely fund large UK-wide charities except when an individual project clearly benefits their geographic area.

What They Don't Fund

• General appeals or circular mailings
• Postgraduate study
• Second or subsequent degrees
• Overseas students
• International travel or study projects
• Individual travel expenses
• Large national charities (with rare exceptions for geographically-specific projects)
• Religious promotion
• Animal welfare
• Research (rarely funded)
• Retrospective funding
• Repeat Applications: Applications from previous grant recipients will not be considered within a two-year period of the award being made

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Governance and Leadership

The Elmgrant Trust operates under a trust deed originally dated 17th November 1936, with deeds of variation dated 1st February 1937, 28th June 1954, 15th August 1955, and 23rd February 2013. The board of trustees meets three times annually to review grant applications.

Specific trustee names and governance structure details are not publicly listed on the Trust's website, though full governance information is available through the Charity Commission (registration number 313398).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL: The Trust does not accept emailed applications. All applications must be submitted by post.

For Organisations, submit a letter including:

• Full contact details (name, address, email, phone, website, charity registration number if applicable)
• Overview of the organisation's mission and beneficiaries
• One or two examples of notable projects from the past two years
• Supporting documentation (project reports, feedback, endorsement letters)
• Most recent financial statements or budget
• Description of the funding request
• Specific amount requested

For Individuals, submit:

• Completed application form (must be requested from the Secretary)
• Full contact details
• Student enrollment verification (if applicable)
• Itemized lists with costs for books, equipment, or supplies
• Evidence of financial status (receipt of benefits, low income documentation)
• Professional references (tutor, doctor, employer, social worker)
• Medical documentation if relevant

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Three times annually, typically on the last Saturday of February, June, and October
• Submission Deadline: Applications must be received one clear month prior to the meeting date
• Critical Warning: Incomplete applications received within two weeks of the deadline will not be considered for that meeting cycle
• Decision Time: Approximately 6-10 weeks from submission to decision (depending on meeting schedule)
• Retrospective Funding: Not available - verify meeting dates before submission to ensure funding isn't retrospective

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Trust notes that it receives many applications each year and assesses each on individual merit, prioritizing geographically (especially Devon and Cornwall) and certain types of work aligned with their mission.

In 2019, the Trust made 108 awards totalling £79,356, suggesting average grants around £735 per organisation.

Reapplication Policy

Two-Year Restriction: Applications from recipients of grants are not considered again within a two-year period from when the award was made.

Application Success Factors

Key Factors for Strong Applications

Geographic Alignment: While the Trust covers the broader Southwest, they explicitly favour Devon and Cornwall projects. Clearly demonstrate your local connection and impact.

Established Track Record: The Trust states they are “happy to receive applications for core running costs or project costs of small established organisations who have a proven record of making a significant difference.” Emphasize:

• Your organisation's history and achievements
• Concrete examples of past successful projects
• Evidence of community impact with testimonials or feedback

Clear Community Benefit: Focus on how your project will “improve the quality of local life and welfare.” The Trust wants to see tangible benefits to Southwest communities.

Appropriate Scale: The Trust prefers small, local organisations over large national charities. If you're part of a larger organisation, emphasize the local project's specific geographic benefit.

Financial Demonstration: For individuals, provide clear evidence of financial need - benefits receipts, low income documentation. For organisations, show sound financial management.

Recent Funded Projects Examples

• Dartsailability: £750 for safety equipment (sailing organization)
• All Saints Church, East Budleigh, Devon: £7,500
• Dementia Singing with Friends: £2,000
• Dartington Hall Trust: Grant for bursary scheme enabling young musicians to attend Summer School

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Missing Deadlines: Applications received less than two weeks before a trustee meeting with incomplete information will be rejected
• Retrospective Funding: The Trust does not provide retrospective grants - ensure your project timing aligns with meeting dates
• Email Applications: These are automatically rejected - must apply by post
• Ineligible Projects: Don't apply if you're seeking postgraduate funding, are an overseas student, promoting religion, or supporting animal welfare
• Too Soon Reapplication: Wait the full two years before reapplying if you've received a previous grant

Strategic Advice

1. Contact First: If uncertain about deadlines or eligibility, contact the Secretary before preparing your application
2. Be Specific: Include concrete costs, timelines, and measurable outcomes
3. Local Language: Emphasize local community benefit and use terminology around “quality of life,” “welfare,” and “local impact”
4. Supporting Voices: Include strong reference letters from professionals or community members who can vouch for your work or need
5. Complete Applications: Submit well in advance of the two-week cut-off to ensure completeness

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic targeting is crucial: Devon and Cornwall projects are strongly preferred - clearly emphasize your Southwest location and local impact
• Small and established wins: The Trust explicitly prefers small, established organisations with proven track records over large national charities
• Timing is everything: With only three meetings per year and a strict one-month advance submission requirement, plan applications well ahead and verify next meeting dates
• No email applications: This is non-negotiable - all applications must be postal, so factor in delivery time
• Two-year waiting period: If you've received funding before, you cannot reapply for two years from the award date
• Show, don't tell: Provide concrete examples of past impact with supporting documentation, testimonials, and references rather than general claims
• Typical grants are modest: With average organisational grants around £550, request realistic amounts that reflect the Trust's typical giving patterns

References

1. The Elmgrant Trust official website. https://elmgrant.org.uk/
2. The Elmgrant Trust - Eligibility page. https://elmgrant.org.uk/eligibility/
3. The Elmgrant Trust - How to Apply page. https://elmgrant.org.uk/sample-page/
4. Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Elmgrant Trust (Charity Number 313398). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/313398
5. Making Music - Elmgrant Trust funding opportunity. https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/funding-opportunity/elmgrant-trust
6. Bath and North East Somerset Council - The Elmgrant Trust Small Grants. https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/86757
7. Dartsailability - Elmgrant Trust Grant Success. https://www.dartsailability.org/post/elmgrant-trust-grant-success
8. Cornwall Music Education Hub - Elmgrant Trust. https://www.cornwallmusiceducationhub.org/funding/elmgrant-trust/