The Hull And East Riding Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £325,000 (approximate recent year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Approximately 4-8 weeks after deadline
• Grant Range: £100 - £10,000 (most grants £100 - £5,000)
• Geographic Focus: Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire only
• Total Distributed to Date: £8 million to 1,650 charities since 1985

Contact Details

Website: www.hullandeastridingtrust.org.uk

Email: Lynn.Humphreys@herct.org.uk

Phone: 07821 166 948

Address: 7 Westerdale, Swanland, East Yorkshire HU14 3PY

Primary Contact: Lynn Humphreys, Secretary/Administrator

Charity Number: 516866

Overview

The Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust was established in 1985 by the Hollingbery family following the sale of their Comet electrical retail business to Kingfisher. The founding family, who had built Comet from a single battery store in Hull's Dock Street in 1933 into a major national retail chain, created the Trust with a clear mission: to support charities and deserving causes that provide direct benefit to people living in Hull or the East Riding of Yorkshire. Since inception, the Trust has distributed £8 million across 1,650 charities, maintaining its local focus while supporting both small community groups and larger regional organizations. The Trust operates with a straightforward application process and meets twice yearly to consider grants, typically awarding between £100 and £5,000 per project, though larger grants may be considered with match funding.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £100 - £10,000 (rolling deadlines twice yearly)

• Most grants fall in the £100 - £5,000 range
• Larger projects may be considered with match funding or by way of pledge
• Fixed deadlines: 20th April and 20th October each year
• Decisions made at trustee meetings in May and November

Youth Participation Grants: Up to £300

• Specifically for individuals under 18 to participate in UK or overseas projects with leading organizations
• Must demonstrate direct benefit to young people from Hull or East Riding

Priority Areas

The Trust actively funds projects that benefit Hull and East Riding residents in the following areas:

• Arts and Music: Projects involving people from disadvantaged backgrounds, community cultural initiatives
• Social Welfare: Support for older people, mental health projects, homeless support, projects supporting marginalized groups
• Disability Support: Projects benefiting people with physical and learning disabilities
• Youth Development: School trips for children from disadvantaged areas, youth participation programs
• Heritage and Buildings: Requests from notable buildings with good community use, heritage preservation projects
• Equipment and Materials: Capital purchases that enable charitable work

What They Don't Fund

• Political, religious, or educational establishment purposes
• Projects outside Hull and East Yorkshire
• Overseas applications (except youth participation grants)
• Individual appeals (except under-18 youth participation)
• Animal charities without direct human benefit
• National charities without a clear local focus or presence
• Medical research projects

Ready to write a winning application for The Hull And East Riding Charitable Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

Chairman: Adrian M. Horsley JP, DL

Adrian has been Chair and Trustee since 1992. He was born and bred in East Yorkshire, spent his working life as an Architect in Private Practice in Kingston upon Hull, and has been a Magistrate in Hull since 1982. He served as High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire in 2010 and was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire in 2013.

Trustees:

• Mrs Mary Rose Barker MBE JP - Experienced trustee with local connections
• Mrs Katie Field - Born in Bridlington, lived in Hull and East Riding area for most of her life. Obtained a BA Honours Degree in Law, completed Law Society Final Examinations at Guildford College of Law, qualified as a Solicitor in 1992, and practiced as a Commercial Solicitor specializing in Corporate Pensions Law for major commercial legal practices in Leeds and Hull.
• Matthew Fletcher - Born and bred in East Yorkshire, progressed from school to a BA Hons Degree in photography. Joined the Fletcher family business in property investment.

Administrator: Lynn Humphreys serves as Secretary/Administrator, handling day-to-day inquiries and application processing.

The Trust maintains three trustees who serve without remuneration, keeping administrative costs low and maximizing grant distribution.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted via downloadable Word document form available at hullandeastridingtrust.org.uk/apply

Application Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Organization name, address, and charity number
• Website address and logo
• Contact details for main contact person
• Bank information (payee name, sort code, account number)
• Copy of bank statement
• Most recent or draft accounts
• Detailed project budget showing all costs
• Fundraising strategy demonstrating other funding sources

Key Information to Include:

1. Funding amount requested
2. Number of Hull & East Riding residents who will benefit
3. Brief description of your organization
4. Detailed project description and goals
5. Specific explanation of how local residents will benefit
6. Detailed plan for how funds will be allocated

Pre-Application Contact: Applicants are encouraged to contact Lynn Humphreys (Lynn.Humphreys@herct.org.uk or 07821 166 948) with questions before submitting applications.

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadlines: 20th April and 20th October each year
• Trustee Meetings: May and November (early November for autumn round)
• Decision Notification: Approximately 4-8 weeks after deadline
• Notification Method: Direct contact to applicants

The Trust operates a straightforward two-round annual cycle, allowing organizations to plan their fundraising accordingly.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust has awarded grants to 1,650 charities since 1985, demonstrating consistent grant-making activity. With total awards of £8 million over 40 years and recent annual giving around £325,000, the Trust supports approximately 50-100 organizations per year.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust does not explicitly state restrictions on reapplications. Organizations can apply in subsequent funding rounds if unsuccessful. Several of their case studies mention multi-year support (e.g., Giroscope receiving their first grant in 1987 and Emmaus receiving support “for many years”), suggesting the Trust is open to supporting organizations repeatedly if projects align with their priorities.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Match Funding: The Trust explicitly states that “Trustees are unlikely to support the total cost of a project, therefore applicants should demonstrate that funds have been raised, or are being raised, from other sources.” Applications showing a diversified funding strategy are more likely to succeed.

Evidence Clear Local Benefit: Applications must include a clear description of the benefit being provided to Hull and East Riding residents, including projected numbers of beneficiaries. The Trust was established specifically to benefit the local area, so geographic impact is paramount.

Align with Priority Areas: Review the Trust's case studies to understand the types of projects they support. Recent examples include:

• York Minster's Centre of Excellence for Heritage and Craft Skills
• Beverley RDA providing therapy and skills development for adults with physical and learning disabilities
• P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery providing specialist community support sessions
• Emmaus receiving multi-year support
• Giroscope (supported since 1987, received Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2014)
• Men in Sheds supporting men experiencing isolation and loneliness

Focus on Disadvantaged Groups: The Trust shows particular interest in projects involving people from disadvantaged backgrounds, marginalized groups, and those with specific support needs (disabilities, mental health, homelessness).

Provide Comprehensive Financial Information: Include detailed budgets, recent accounts, and clear explanation of how funds will be allocated. The Trust requires bank statements and financial transparency.

Research Past Grants: The Trust's website includes case studies, and their Charity Commission accounts list grant recipients. Reviewing these helps applicants understand what has been funded previously and craft applications accordingly.

Contact Before Applying: Lynn Humphreys is available to answer questions and discuss potential applications. Taking advantage of this pre-application support can help ensure your application is well-aligned with the Trust's priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Local focus is non-negotiable: Projects must directly benefit Hull and East Riding residents - this geographic restriction is the Trust's founding principle
• Match funding significantly improves chances: The Trust rarely funds entire projects; demonstrate you're raising funds from multiple sources
• Twice-yearly deadlines require advance planning: With only two application windows per year (April 20 and October 20), plan your project timeline accordingly
• Smaller grants are the norm: Most awards fall between £100-£5,000, so frame your request appropriately or clearly justify larger amounts with match funding
• Disadvantaged communities are prioritized: Projects serving marginalized groups, people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those with support needs align strongly with the Trust's mission
• Long-term relationships are possible: Case studies show organizations receiving support over many years, suggesting the Trust values ongoing relationships with effective partners
• Pre-application contact is welcomed: Lynn Humphreys is available to discuss applications - use this resource to strengthen your submission

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• P F Charitable Trust
• The Wolfson Foundation
• The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation
• BUTTLE UK
• The National Garden Scheme
• Smallwood Trust
• The Three Guineas Trust
• THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• JINGLE JAM
• THE CHILDHOOD TRUST
• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust
• The Rayne Foundation
• John Laing Charitable Trust
• THE EVESON TRUST
• THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION
• THE ACCESS FOUNDATION
• John James Bristol Foundation
• THE HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND
• National Lottery

References

• Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust official website: https://hullandeastridingtrust.org.uk/
• Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust application page: https://hullandeastridingtrust.org.uk/apply
• Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust case studies: https://hullandeastridingtrust.org.uk/case-studies
• The Charity Commission Register: THE HULL AND EAST RIDING CHARITABLE TRUST (Charity number 516866): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/516866
• VCSE News: “Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust applications open for Spring round”: https://vcse.uk/news-article/2024-03-21/hull-and-east-riding-charitable-trust-invites-applications-for-spring-round
• National Churches Trust: Hull & East Riding Charitable Trust profile: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/support-organisations/hull-east-riding-charitable-trust
• Hull CVS Grants page: https://hullcvs.org.uk/grants/
• Visit Hull: Hull & East Riding Charitable Trust partner page: https://www.visithull.org/partners/hullandeastriding-charitable-trust/