The Mansfield Building Society Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £95,355 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approx. 3-4 months (3 panel meetings per year)
• Grant Range: £250 - £30,000+ (typical £250-£1,000)
• Geographic Focus: Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire

Contact Details

Charitable Trust Applications:

• Email: charitabletrust@mansfieldbs.co.uk
• Website: www.mansfieldbs.co.uk/charitable-trust

Community Support Scheme Applications:

• Email: communitysupportscheme@mansfieldbs.co.uk
• Website: www.mansfieldbs.co.uk/community-support-scheme

General Enquiries:

• Phone: 01623 676300
• Email: enquiries@mansfieldbs.co.uk

Overview

The Mansfield Building Society Charitable Trust (Charity Number 1177151) was established in February 2018 to benefit registered charities in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire. The Trust operates independently from the Building Society with its own board of trustees comprising three independent members and two Society employees. With annual income of £82,661 (2024), the Trust provides funding to charitable organizations supporting underserved groups and environmental sustainability. The Trust is funded through the Society's Community Saver accounts, receiving 0.1% of average total balances annually.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Charitable Trust Grants

• Major grants: £2,500 - £30,000+ (for significant capital projects)
• Small grants: £250 - £2,500 (for specific project needs)
• Application method: Email request for application form

Community Support Scheme

• Grant range: £250 - £1,000
• Total annual budget: Approximately £20,000
• Application method: Email request for application form
• Decision timeline: Panel meets three times annually

Priority Areas

• Promoting and supporting health and wellbeing
• Promoting and encouraging participation in the arts
• Promoting and supporting youth activities
• Benefiting the environment
• Supporting groups of individuals who are underserved by society
• Improving environmental sustainability

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Party political activities
• Promotion of religious causes
• Animal charities
• Commercial enterprises
• Day-to-day running costs
• Event sponsorship

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Lady Diana Meale (Chair)
• Joyce Bosnjak
• Victoria Jane Preston
• Paul Wheeler (Chief Executive of Mansfield Building Society)

Paul Wheeler, CEO since April 2020, is a Chartered Accountant and strong believer in mutuality. He stated: “Today, we continually put people first by offering a diverse and flexible range of mortgage solutions, valuing the loyalty of our existing members and actively supporting the future development of our local community through our Charitable Trust, Community Support Scheme and staff volunteering.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Email initial enquiry with details of your charity and proposed project
2. Receive application form to complete
3. Submit completed application for panel review
4. Applications reviewed by panel including two independent members
5. Decision communicated following panel meeting

Decision Timeline

• Panel meets approximately three times per year (conflicting sources suggest May/November or quarterly)
• Typical decision timeline: 3-4 months from application to decision
• No specific application deadlines published - rolling basis

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions mentioned - unsuccessful applicants appear able to reapply with new or revised projects

Application Success Factors

Based on recent grants awarded, successful applications typically:

• Demonstrate clear benefit to Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire communities
• Show sustainable impact beyond the grant period
• Support vulnerable or underserved populations
• Include clear project outcomes and measurable impact
• Align with the Trust's focus on health, wellbeing, youth, arts, or environment
• Present realistic budgets with specific funding needs identified

Recent successful grants include:

• £30,283 to Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice (new van for patient transport)
• £12,500 to Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes (new emergency response bike)
• £5,787 to Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (Willington Wetlands projects)
• £2,879 to Social Action Hub (Tree House Project)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus applications on Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire beneficiaries
• Emphasize support for underserved populations or environmental sustainability
• Request specific items or project costs rather than general support
• Keep requests between £250-£1,000 for Community Support Scheme
• Consider larger Charitable Trust grants for significant capital projects
• Email for application form rather than unsolicited proposals
• Highlight local community impact and sustainability of project outcomes

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Lady Gould's Charity
• THE G D HERBERT CHARITABLE TRUST
• John Jacob Astor Charitable Trust
• Peter Dixon Charitable Trust
• Dunn Family Charitable Trust
• The Geoffrey Watling Charity
• THE LENNOX HANNAY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Hotspur Trust
• Trelix Charitable Trust
• The Grimmitt Trust

References

• Mansfield Building Society Charitable Trust official page: www.mansfieldbs.co.uk/charitable-trust
• Community Support Scheme page: www.mansfieldbs.co.uk/community-support-scheme
• Charity Commission Register: register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk (Charity 1177151
• Management Team information: www.mansfieldbs.co.uk/about-us/management-team
• Various local news sources including Chad.co.uk reporting on specific grants (2023-2024)