The Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Police Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £313,937 (FY 2023/24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Decisions made quarterly (February, May, August, November meetings)
• Grant Range: £1 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: Greater Manchester only

Contact Details

Website: www.gmhspt.org

Email: HIGHSHERIFF.TRUST@GMP.POLICE.UK

Phone: 0161 856 1144

Application Information: gmhspt.org/applications-2/

Overview

The Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Police Trust (Charity Number 1040579) is a partnership of individuals, companies, and voluntary or statutory agencies committed to making Greater Manchester safer. Founded to support crime reduction initiatives, the Trust has been significantly strengthened since 2015 when it received a bequest of over £2,000,000 from the late Ken Taylor. The Trust operates with 9 volunteer trustees and works closely with Greater Manchester Police. In the 2023/24 financial year, the Trust had an income of £205,434 and made grants totaling £313,937. The Trust's mission focuses on promoting public safety through crime prevention and supporting vulnerable groups and victims of crime.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust offers two funding tiers:

• Small Grants: Up to £500
• Major Grants: £501 - £5,000

Applications are accepted through four funding rounds per year with specific application windows:

• December 1st – December 20th (decisions in February)
• March 1st – March 31st (decisions in May)
• June 1st – June 30th (decisions in August)
• September 1st – September 30th (decisions in November)

Priority Areas

The Trust supports projects that:

• Prevent crime and protect people and property from criminal acts
• Improve quality of life for all communities in Greater Manchester, with particular focus on vulnerable groups and victims of crime
• Address crime reduction issues that concern the public and affect quality of life
• Support community and race-related initiatives that assist vulnerable groups with special and distinct needs
• Build confidence and team skills among young people at risk
• Support police units including dog units and mounted police programs

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust's funding must align with crime reduction and community safety objectives in Greater Manchester. Projects outside Greater Manchester or without a clear crime prevention/community safety link would not be eligible.

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a Board of 9 Trustees who receive no remuneration. The High Sheriff of Greater Manchester serves as an ex officio trustee during their year of office (High Sheriffs serve one-year terms). The Board of Trustees and the Operational GMP Lead direct and control the organization as well as running it on a day-to-day basis. The Trust has no employees and operates entirely through volunteer leadership.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Community groups wishing to apply for funding for projects linked to crime reduction or community safety should first contact their local Neighbourhood Policing Team. This is a critical preliminary step in the application process.

Application forms are available in two tiers:

• Second Tier Application Form (for grants up to £500)
• Major Tier Application Form (for grants £501 - £5,000)

Forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from www.gmhspt.org/applications-2/

Important Restrictions:

• Organizations may only apply once per year
• Applications are only accepted during designated windows
• The application process can be closed without notice during periods of excessive demand on financial budgets
• Applicants will be notified by email if the process closes early
• Applications are not saved if the window closes, but organizations may reapply in the next round

Decision Timeline

The Trust operates on a quarterly decision cycle:

• February meetings: Applications submitted December 1st-20th
• May meetings: Applications submitted March 1st-31st
• August meetings: Applications submitted June 1st-30th
• November meetings: Applications submitted September 1st-30th

Decision timelines from submission to notification are not publicly specified, but decisions are made at quarterly trustee meetings.

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly available. Given the limited annual giving of approximately £314,000 and the application restrictions (once per year only), competition for funding is likely to be significant.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that are unsuccessful may reapply, but are still bound by the restriction of only one application per year. This means an unsuccessful applicant would need to wait until the following year to resubmit, or potentially apply in a different funding round within the same year if they haven't already submitted an application that year.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated objectives and structure, successful applications likely demonstrate:

Connection to Greater Manchester Police: The requirement to contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team before applying suggests that police endorsement or awareness of your project is important. Projects that align with local policing priorities or address issues identified by police are likely to be viewed favorably.

Clear Crime Prevention Focus: The Trust's primary objective is crime prevention and reduction of the fear of crime. Applications must clearly articulate how the project will prevent crime or protect people and property from criminal acts.

Focus on Vulnerable Groups: The Trust explicitly prioritizes vulnerable groups and victims of crime. Projects serving these populations should emphasize this in applications.

Measurable Community Safety Outcomes: Given the Trust's focus on improving quality of life through safety, applications should include clear metrics for measuring impact on community safety and crime reduction.

Evidence of Community Need: Projects should demonstrate they address crime reduction issues that concern the public and affect quality of life in specific Greater Manchester communities.

Examples of Previously Funded Projects:

• Challenge 4 Change received £3,500 for team and confidence building sessions that benefited 130 young people across three organizations
• The Garden House Marple for community support work
• Henshaws (approved at May trustee meeting)
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester for outdoor activities
• Police dog units and horses at Hough End Centre
• Richmond Street Community Centre

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact Neighbourhood Police First: Before applying, connect with your local Greater Manchester Neighbourhood Policing Team. This appears to be a required step and may provide valuable intelligence about local policing priorities.

• Plan for Limited Opportunities: With only four funding rounds per year and a restriction of one application per organization annually, timing is critical. Miss your window and you may wait months for another opportunity.

• Small Budget, High Demand: Annual giving of approximately £314,000 spread across four rounds means limited funds. Applications may close early due to demand, so apply early in each window.

• Emphasize Crime Prevention: Every aspect of your application should connect to crime prevention, reduction of fear of crime, or protecting people from criminal acts. Generic community programs without this focus will not succeed.

• Prioritize Vulnerable Groups: If your project serves vulnerable populations or victims of crime, make this prominent. The Trust explicitly prioritizes these groups.

• Be Ready to Move Quickly: Applications windows are short (typically 20-30 days). Have your application materials prepared in advance of the window opening.

• Maximum £5,000: This is a small grants funder. Projects requiring more substantial funding will need to find additional sources or scale down proposals.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust
• Lord Leverhulme's Charitable Trust
• CRH Charitable Trust
• Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity CIO
• The Peter Kershaw Trust
• THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Running Bee Foundation
• The Holroyd Foundation
• Young Manchester
• MW (RH) Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Police Trust (Charity Number 1040579), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1040579&subId=0

• Manchester Community Central: Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Police Trust funding information, https://manchestercommunitycentral.org/support-groups/funding-opportunities/greater-manchester-high-sheriffs-police-trust

• Action Together: Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Police Trust overview, https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/greater-manchester-high-sheriffs-police-trust-0

• Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Trust website: www.gmhspt.org (Website

• Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Trust: About Us page, http://www.gmhspt.org/about/

• Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Trust: Applications page, http://www.gmhspt.org/applications-2/