The Hadrian Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~£268,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: ~4-6 weeks (quarterly meetings with 2-week payment after)
• Grant Range: £500 - £2,000
• Geographic Focus: North East England (Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, Durham, Hartlepool)

Contact Details

• Website: www.hadriantrust.co.uk
• Email: enquiries@hadriantrust.co.uk
• Phone: 07531 145789
• Address: 19 Windmill Way, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 1XQ

Overview

The Hadrian Trust was established by a trust deed dated 23 September 1976, following an initial gift by Mrs Linda Armstrong. The initial capital was supplemented by subsequent gifts made by Linda during her lifetime and ultimately by a substantial bequest. Since 1976, the Trust has distributed more than £6 million in grants to charitable organisations across the North East of England.

The Trust operates as a grant-giving organisation supporting charities and community groups working for the benefit of the people and environment of Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, and Durham (north of the River Tees), including Hartlepool. In 2016/17, they made 198 grants totalling £208,500, with an average grant size of £1,053. For the financial year ending September 2024, the Trust reported total income of £261,918 and expenditure of £268,692, demonstrating steady financial growth from approximately £243,000 income in 2020.

The trustees aim to follow the interests of the founder where they meet the present needs of the people and organisations of the North East.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Main Grants Programme: £500 - £2,000 per grant
• Applications considered quarterly via online or postal submission
• Trustee meetings held in January, April, July, and October

Priority Areas

The Trust funds projects across eight key thematic areas:

Social Welfare

• Projects supporting people disadvantaged due to social or economic circumstances
• Help for people with debt, welfare rights and benefits
• Prisoners, ex-offenders or those at risk of offending and their families
• Homelessness projects providing accommodation and supporting tenancies

Youth

• Projects maximising young people's potential, especially those facing economic and social disadvantage
• Uniformed organisations
• Projects improving young people's skills and employability

Disabled or Elderly

• Services supporting people with disabilities
• Elderly care services
• Hospices and centres providing care for terminally ill people and their families

Women

• Projects specifically supporting women

Ethnic Minorities

• Services for people of particular ethnic or racial origins

Environment

• Environmental conservation and protection projects

Education

• Educational initiatives within the region

The Arts

• Arts initiatives promoting community cohesion and participation

Community Centres

• Community centres and groups offering a range of activities for the benefit of the community

What They Don't Fund

• Capital projects for major building improvements
• Repair of buildings used solely for worship
• Animal protection charities
• Organisations based outside the North East region
• Medical research
• National charities making general appeals or lacking a specific North East presence
• Individual grants (these are handled via a block grant to the Greggs Foundation)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Trust is overseen by five trustees:

1. Catherine Mary Wood (Chair) - Appointed 19 July 2016
2. Colin Fitzpatrick - Appointed 20 October 2014
3. Ian Brown - Appointed 20 October 2014
4. Gillian Nora Rolt - Appointed 9 January 2023
5. Amanda Louise Maskery - Appointed 3 July 2023

Note: One trustee receives payment for services provided to the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted either:

1. Online via the Hadrian Trust website (recommended)
2. By post using printed application forms

The Trust recommends completing online applications in one sitting, as they expire after a period of inactivity. Alternatively, applicants can draft answers in a word document and paste them into the form.

Required Documentation

Applications must include:

• Organisational name, address, and registered charity number (or equivalent)
• Contact person details
• Organisation type, community served, and estimated number of beneficiaries
• Establishment timeline and governance structure
• Primary funding sources, annual turnover, and reserves
• Project description with costs, requested amount, and timeline
• Other funding sources approached and their responses
• Latest Annual Report and Accounts, or governing document
• Recent bank statement
• Safeguarding policy (required by Charity Commission guidance)
• Daytime contact number and email address
• For repeat applications: details of previous grants and how they were spent

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet quarterly (usually January, April, July, and October)
• Applications must be received at least 3 weeks before trustee meetings
• All applications MUST arrive by mid-day on the closing date
• Late applications will not be accepted
• Cheques are sent to successful applicants within 2 weeks of the meeting
• No correspondence is sent to unsuccessful applicants

Success Rates

No publicly available data on success rates. However, based on annual expenditure of ~£268,000 and average grants of ~£1,000, the Trust makes approximately 200+ grants per year.

Reapplication Policy

No specific waiting period indicated for unsuccessful applicants. Repeat applicants must provide details of any previous grants received and submit feedback forms on how previous funding was spent.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's published guidance, successful applications typically:

1. Demonstrate clear geographic eligibility - Organisations must be operating within the North East of England (Northumberland, Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Cleveland north of the Tees)

1. Fall within priority themes - Applications should clearly align with one of the eight priority areas: social welfare, youth, disability/elderly, women, ethnic minorities, environment, education, or the arts

1. Request appropriate funding types - The Trust funds running costs, project costs, part salaries, and basic equipment. Applications for capital projects or major building work will be declined

1. Include safeguarding policies - The Trust requires organisations to demonstrate adequate safeguarding policies as per Charity Commission requirements

1. Provide complete documentation - Including recent accounts, bank statements, and governing documents

1. Follow up appropriately - Successful grant recipients must complete a feedback form explaining how the grant was spent and its impact. This builds credibility for future applications

1. Meet deadlines precisely - The Trust emphasises that late applications will not be accepted and applications must arrive by mid-day on the closing date

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small but accessible: Grants of £500-£2,000 are realistic for grassroots organisations; average grant is approximately £1,053
• Geographic focus is strict: Only organisations operating in the North East (Northumberland, Durham, Tyne and Wear, north of the Tees) are eligible
• Revenue funding available: Unlike many trusts, Hadrian funds running costs, part salaries, and project costs - not just capital items
• Quarterly deadlines: Plan applications around January, April, July, and October meetings with 3-week lead time required
• Safeguarding is mandatory: All applicants must submit their safeguarding policy or explain why one is being developed
• No feedback on rejections: Unsuccessful applicants receive no correspondence, so ensure applications are complete and compelling first time
• Build a relationship: The Trust requests feedback forms from successful applicants, which may strengthen future applications
• Greggs Foundation alternative: Individuals in need should apply via the Greggs Foundation, to whom Hadrian makes a block grant

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION
• The Rothley Trust
• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Awards for All
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• THE REECE FOUNDATION
• LGA Foundation
• THE SHEARS FOUNDATION
• The Virgin Money Foundation
• The Kirby Laing Foundation
• The Hargreaves Foundation
• The Baring Foundation
• THE BLUE THREAD
• The Clore Duffield Foundation
• National Lottery
• THE PERCY HEDLEY 1990 CHARITABLE TRUST
• People???s Postcode Lottery
• THE FREE SCHOOL
• People's Postcode Lottery

References

• Hadrian Trust Official Website - Grants Page -
• Hadrian Trust - How to Apply -
• Charity Commission Register - The Hadrian Trust 272161 -
• Charity Commission Full Print - The Hadrian Trust -
• Connected Voice - Hadrian Trust Range of Grants -
• Durham Locate - Hadrian Trust -
• Ecclesiastical - Hadrian Trust Funding Information -