The Farthing Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £494,000 (2019 reference year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: £500 - £6,000
• Typical Grant: £2,000
• Geographic Focus: International (UK and 15+ countries globally)
• Total Grants Awarded: 232 grants (2019)

Contact Details

• Address: PO Box 276, Newmarket, CB8 1GW
• Phone: 07598565623
• Email: thefarthingtrust@gmail.com
• Website: www.thefarthingtrust.org
• Charity Number: 268066

Overview

The Farthing Trust was established in August 1974 as a family-run charitable foundation designed to support charitable causes in any area of the world. The Trust operates with a distinctive “seed corn” funding approach, prioritizing small projects that need initial startup or early-stage support. With recent annual expenditure of £527,827 (2024) and historical grant-making of £494,000 distributed across 232 grants in 2019, the Trust demonstrates consistent commitment to supporting grassroots initiatives. The Trust operates internationally, with projects spanning England, Wales, Scotland, and over 15 countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Philippines, Malawi, Zambia, Senegal, and Syria. All trustees serve without remuneration, reinforcing the Trust's commitment to maximizing funds available for charitable work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single grant program with rolling applications:

• General Grants: £500 - £6,000 (typical grant: £2,000)
• Application method: Written applications submitted by email or post
• Rolling basis with no fixed deadlines specified

Priority Areas

The Trust supports “all manner of charitable causes” but predominantly focuses on:

• Education: Educational projects and initiatives (excluding GAP year students and most educational course fees)
• Faith: Faith-based projects and religious activities
• Health: Health advancement programs and medical initiatives
• Human Rights and Reconciliation: Projects promoting human rights and peace-building
• Relief of Need: Poverty relief and support for vulnerable populations, including elderly people, people with disabilities, children, and young people

What They Don't Fund

• GAP year students (rarely supported)
• Applications for educational courses (rarely supported)
• Projects not aligned with their core charitable purposes

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Trust is governed by four trustees who serve without remuneration:

• Ms E Bell (appointed 28 August 2018) - Also serves as trustee of Lord Gorges Charity for the Poor
• Mr J Martin (appointed 28 August 2018)
• J Martin
• A White

The Trust maintains strong governance practices including policies on conflicts of interest, financial reserves, and risk management. The charity is affiliated with Norwich Reformed Church, reflecting its faith-based roots.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted in writing to the Trust. Applicants can:

• Email applications to: thefarthingtrust@gmail.com
• Post applications to: PO Box 276, Newmarket, CB8 1GW
• Phone for guidance: 07598565623

There is no online application portal. The Trust recommends reviewing their funding priorities before applying to ensure eligibility.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Applicants should contact the Trust directly for guidance on expected review periods.

Success Rates

Based on 2019 data, the Trust awarded 232 grants from an unknown number of applications. Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the Trust directly to discuss reapplication opportunities.

Application Success Factors

The Farthing Trust's distinctive approach provides several insights for applicants:

“Seed Corn” Funding Focus: The Trust explicitly prioritizes small projects needing initial startup funding. Applications should emphasize how seed funding will enable a project to get started, establish proof of concept, or leverage additional funding. This is a core part of their identity.

Small Grant Mentality: With most grants at £2,000 and a maximum of £6,000, successful applicants likely demonstrate how modest funding can achieve significant impact. Budget efficiency and clear outcomes for limited funds are likely important.

International Scope with Grassroots Impact: The Trust operates globally but maintains a personal, family-run approach. Applications from diverse geographic locations are welcomed, particularly from areas where the Trust has historic connections (India, Malawi, Mexico, Philippines, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Senegal, Syria).

Faith-Sensitive: While supporting diverse causes, the Trust has faith-based roots (affiliated with Norwich Reformed Church). Faith-based organizations or projects addressing spiritual needs may resonate particularly well, though secular projects in priority areas are clearly supported.

No-Frills Application: The absence of an online portal and preference for written applications suggests the Trust values substance over presentation. Clear, concise written applications focusing on need, impact, and alignment with priorities are likely most effective.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Target the “seed corn” angle: Frame your request as startup or early-stage funding that will enable a project to launch or prove viability. Demonstrate how this initial investment will unlock future sustainability or additional funding.

• Request modest amounts strategically: With typical grants of £2,000 and maximum of £6,000, pitch projects scaled appropriately. Show how relatively small funding can achieve disproportionate impact.

• Align with core priorities: Strongest alignment appears in education, faith, health, human rights/reconciliation, and poverty relief. Clearly articulate which priority area(s) your project addresses.

• Emphasize grassroots impact: As a family-run trust supporting small projects globally, demonstrate direct impact on beneficiaries rather than organizational overheads or large-scale programs.

• Geographic diversity welcomed: International projects are explicitly welcome. The Trust has funded work across 15+ countries, so don't be deterred by geographic distance from the UK.

• Simple, direct applications: No complex online forms or excessive documentation. Focus on clear written communication about need, approach, and impact.

• Relationship-based approach: With trustees serving without remuneration and personal email contact, this appears to be a relationship-driven trust. Consider phone contact before applying to discuss fit and approach.

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - THE FARTHING TRUST (268066). Register entry and financial data. Accessed via https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/268066

• Giving is Great - THE FARTHING TRUST Charity Factsheet. Grant-making data for year ended 31 December 2019 showing 232 grants totalling £494,000. Accessed via https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=268066

• The Farthing Trust official website. Contact details and project information. www.thefarthingtrust.org

• OpenCharities - THE FARTHING TRUST (268066). Trustee information and charitable activities. Accessed via http://opencharities.org/charities/268066

• Together Network - Funders Sensitive to Faith Based Projects resource document. Information about faith-based funding priorities.