The Letchworth Civic Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £60,000+ in grants
• Charity Number: 273336
• Grant Range: £70 - £750 (occasional larger grants to organisations)
• Typical Grant: £500 (university students), £750 (school leavers 2025/26)
• Geographic Focus: Letchworth Garden City and immediate neighbourhood
• Annual Beneficiaries: Approximately 200 individuals and 20 local groups/organisations

Contact Details

Email: letchworthct@gmail.com

Phone: 07785104357

Website: www.letchworthct.org.uk

Postal Applications: Sally Jenkins, Secretary to the Trustees, Broadway Chambers, Letchworth SG6 3AD

Overview

The Letchworth Civic Trust was established in 1913 by Sir Ebenezer Howard, the garden city pioneer, and nine others, making it one of the earliest charitable trusts in the world's first garden city. The trust received a significant boost in the 1960s from Dr. Norman Macfadyen's bequest, which enabled wise investments that continue to generate approximately £60,000 annually for distribution. With total income of £119,889 and expenditure of £103,247 in 2024, the trust operates with a clear policy of distributing all income, net of expenses, through grants and awards. The trust supports approximately 200 individuals and 20 local groups annually across education, training, health, disability, arts, sport and recreation. Notably, all trustees serve without remuneration, ensuring maximum benefit to the community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

School Leavers Further Education Grant (2025/26)

• Amount: £750
• For: School leavers pursuing university degrees, college courses, diplomas, HNDs, and apprenticeships
• Application: Form A2 (available on website)
• Note: University students must wait until receiving A Level results in August before applying

University Students - Books and Learning Materials

• Amount: £500
• For: Students who have lived in Letchworth for at least two years and gained a university place
• Use: Books and learning materials
• Application: Form A2

Third Year Top-Up Grant

• Amount: £100
• For: Students entering third year of their courses
• Application: Form A2

School Pupils - Activity Support

• Amount: Up to £70
• For: Families experiencing financial difficulty supporting school activities, particularly residential field visits or camps
• Requirement: Headteacher must believe activity would benefit the child
• Volume: Over 100 awards made annually
• Application: Form C (used by schools)

Community Groups and Organisations

• Amount: Variable
• For: Groups needing premises improvements or event support
• Application: Form B

Disability Support

• Amount: Variable
• For: Disabled individuals with mobility problems
• Application: Form D (via social workers, probation officers or police)

Talent Bursaries

• Amount: Variable
• For: Exceptionally talented young musicians, athletes, and swimmers
• Awarded: Occasionally, on a case-by-case basis
• Application: Form B

Priority Areas

The trust's charitable objectives are broad: “To promote and advance any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in the Garden City of Letchworth and its immediate neighbourhood.”

Active funding focuses on:

• Education and training for young people
• Health and disability support
• Arts and culture
• Amateur sports and recreation
• Community group premises improvements
• Events supporting the local community

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals or organisations outside Letchworth Garden City and its immediate neighbourhood
• Applications from those who have not lived in Letchworth for at least two years (for individual educational grants)
• Commercial activities or businesses

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Governance and Leadership

Officers

• Chairman: Mrs Lynda Needham
• Honorary Treasurer: Mr Kevin Jones
• Secretary to the Trustees: Mrs Sally Jenkins

Term Trustees

• Mr Kevin Jones
• Mrs Maria Iredale
• Mr Mike Rice
• Mrs Janet Williams
• Mrs Charmaine Rogers
• Mrs Lynda Needham

Nominated Trustees

• Mr Ian Mantle (Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation)
• Vacancy (Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation)
• Ms Tina Bhartwas (Hertfordshire County Council)
• Mr Daniel Allen (North Herts District Council)
• Ms Emma Fernandes (North Herts District Council)

The board of 8 trustees oversees all grant approvals and policy decisions, while day-to-day administration is handled by the secretary. A committee meets between board meetings to process additional grant applications, allowing for more frequent review.

Leadership Perspective

Peter Jackson, Former Chairman, when announcing the expansion of grants to include apprentices and diploma courses, stated: "We've widened it for those doing musical diplomas... Anyone from Letchworth in higher education will now get this grant." This reflects the trust's commitment to broadening access beyond traditional university education.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Letchworth Civic Trust uses four distinct application forms depending on the type of support needed:

Form A2 - For all school leavers moving on to further education (university degrees, college courses, apprenticeships). Important: University students must not apply before receiving A Level results in August.

Form B - For a person or group applying for a grant for a purpose that is not directly educational.

Form C - Used by schools requesting support for a pupil from a family receiving a state benefit.

Form D - Used by social workers, probation officers or the police supporting a person with particular social needs.

All forms are available as downloadable .doc files from the trust's website at www.letchworthct.org.uk/links-to-forms/

Submission methods:

• Email: letchworthct@gmail.com (preferred)
• Post: Sally Jenkins, Letchworth Civic Trust, Broadway Chambers, Letchworth SG6 3AD

Application timing: Applications can be submitted throughout the year on a rolling basis.

Decision Timeline

Trustees approve all grant applications prior to payment. A committee meets between regular board meetings to process applications, enabling relatively frequent decision-making. Specific decision timelines are not published, but the rolling application system and committee structure suggests applications are reviewed on a regular basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the trust distributes its full annual income (net of expenses) through grants, awarding approximately:

• 200 individual grants annually
• 20 grants to local groups/organisations annually
• Over 100 grants of up to £70 for school activities each year

This high volume of awards relative to a small geographic area (Letchworth Garden City only) suggests strong support for eligible applicants who meet the criteria.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Given the rolling application system and the trust's commitment to supporting ongoing educational needs (including third-year top-up grants), repeat applications appear to be accepted, particularly for continuing education.

Application Success Factors

Residency Requirement is Critical

For individual educational grants, applicants must have lived in Letchworth for at least two years. This is a firm requirement that appears consistently across the trust's documentation. Ensure you can clearly demonstrate this residency requirement.

Use the Correct Application Form

The trust has structured its application process around four specific forms (A2, B, C, D), each designed for different types of applicants and purposes. Using the wrong form may delay processing. Review the form descriptions carefully:

• A2 for education (most common for individual applicants)
• B for non-educational purposes and community groups
• C for schools applying on behalf of pupils
• D for social services professionals

Third-Party Endorsement Adds Weight

For school pupils seeking support for activities, applications through schools (Form C) require the headteacher to believe the activity would benefit the child. Similarly, Form D requires professional endorsement from social workers, probation officers, or police. These third-party validations appear important to the trust's decision-making.

The Trust Values Broadening Educational Access

The recent expansion to include diploma courses and apprenticeships demonstrates the trust's evolving understanding of “further education.” As former Chairman Peter Jackson stated: “Anyone from Letchworth in higher education will now get this grant.” Applications from non-traditional educational paths are welcome and encouraged.

Community Benefit Must Be Clear

For group applications, the trust values specific, tangible improvements that directly benefit the Letchworth community. Applications should clearly articulate how the funding will create lasting community impact.

The Trust Distributes All Available Income

The trust operates under a policy of distributing all income, net of expenses, by way of grants. This means funds are intended to be used, not accumulated. Well-articulated applications that clearly meet the criteria are likely to be looked upon favourably.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only residents of Letchworth Garden City (minimum 2 years for individuals) are eligible. Do not apply if based elsewhere.

• Educational grants are the core programme: The trust distributes the majority of its £60,000+ annual funding through educational support, from school activities (£70) to university grants (£500-£750). If your cause is education-related and Letchworth-based, this is a strong funding match.

• Use the correct form from the start: The trust has structured its process around four specific forms. Download the appropriate one from their website and follow its guidance precisely.

• Rolling applications reduce time pressure: Unlike many funders with fixed deadlines, you can apply throughout the year. This allows time to prepare a strong application rather than rushing to meet a cutoff.

• The trust supports 220+ grants annually: With approximately 200 individual grants and 20 organisational grants each year in a small geographic area, success rates for eligible applicants appear strong.

• Trustees serve without remuneration and are committed to the community: All trustees are volunteers with deep ties to Letchworth. Applications that demonstrate genuine community benefit and alignment with the garden city's values are likely to resonate.

• Recent expansion shows adaptability: The trust's 2020 decision to include apprenticeships and diplomas demonstrates responsiveness to changing educational pathways. Don't assume traditional routes are the only option.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Consolidated Charity of Burton upon Trent
• Huntingdon Freemen's Trust
• The Ewelme Exhibition Foundation
• The William Price Charitable Trust
• The Connolly Foundation (UK) Limited
• The Lytham Schools Foundation
• Mountsorrel Educational Fund
• Walcot Educational Foundation
• Rand's Educational Foundation
• Alderman Newton's Educational Foundation

References

1. Letchworth Civic Trust Official Website - Homepage. https://www.letchworthct.org.uk/

1. Letchworth Civic Trust - Who's Who. https://www.letchworthct.org.uk/whos-who/

1. Letchworth Civic Trust - How is it Funded? https://www.letchworthct.org.uk/how-is-it-funded/

1. Letchworth Civic Trust - Links to Forms. https://www.letchworthct.org.uk/links-to-forms/

1. Letchworth Civic Trust - Who Benefits. https://www.letchworthct.org.uk/who-benefits/

1. The Charity Commission - The Letchworth Civic Trust (273336). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=273336

1. The Comet - “Letchworth Civic Trust expands grants programme to benefit school leavers taking on diploma courses and apprenticeships” (2020). https://www.thecomet.net/news/education/letchworth-civic-trust-expands-grants-programme-to-benefit-school-leavers-5360860

1. Turn2us Grants Search - The Letchworth Civic Trust. https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-letchworth-civic-trust-14860

1. Letchworth Civic Trust - University Students Sept 23 starters. https://www.letchworthct.org.uk/news/detail/university-students-sept-23-starters/