The Noel Sweeney Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £210,000 - £266,000 (based on recent years)
• Total Donations Since Launch: Over £1,015,000 (as of 2025)
• Causes Supported: 160+
• People Helped: Over 2,500
• Decision Time: Quarterly (trustees meet in February, May, August, November)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £80,000 (based on documented awards)
• Geographic Focus: West Midlands, Staffordshire, and Shropshire

Contact Details

• Address: St. Joseph's House, 78 High Street, Chasetown, Burntwood, Staffordshire WS7 3XG
• Phone: 01543 671818
• Email: charmainesweeney@cameronhomes.co.uk
• Website: https://www.thenoelsweeneyfoundation.co.uk/

Overview

The Noel Sweeney Foundation was established in 2021 as the charitable trust of Tara Group, created to honour the legacy of founder Noel Sweeney following his death in 2020. Noel founded Chasetown Civil Engineering in 1974 and subsequently expanded into Cameron Homes and Keon Homes, building an award-winning construction company employing over 250 people. Throughout his life, Noel was known for his philanthropic spirit and commitment to supporting those facing hardship.

The Foundation focuses on supporting grassroots projects and charities with young and/or disadvantaged people at their heart. Operating primarily as a grant-making organisation, the Foundation distributes approximately £210,000-£266,000 annually and has reached a landmark total of over £1 million in donations since launch. The Foundation has supported over 160 unique causes across the Midlands, including homelessness charities, youth organisations, health-focused groups, and community initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation provides grants through a quarterly trustee meeting cycle:

• Small Grants: From £1,000 (e.g., Pathways Lichfield received £1,000 for domestic abuse support)
• Medium to Large Grants: Up to £80,000 (e.g., St Basils received £80,000 for housing support and youth hub development)
• Employee Match Funding: £52,200 offered in matched funding for staff fundraising

Priority Areas

• Children and young people: Youth organisations, educational programmes, career development in construction
• Disadvantaged individuals: People living in poverty, victims of abuse, bereaved individuals, those in or leaving care
• Homelessness initiatives: Support for those facing or at risk of homelessness (ages 16-25)
• People with disabilities: Including those with multi-sensory impairments
• Elderly support: Services for older people in need
• Community wellbeing: Grassroots projects that help communities grow and prosper

What They Don't Fund

• Limited companies, sole traders, or partnerships without charitable aims
• Individual applicants (grants to individuals are rare)
• Organisations operating outside West Midlands, Staffordshire, and Shropshire

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Sir John Crabtree (Chair) - Appointed July 13, 2020

Former Senior Partner of Wragge and Co LLP, former President of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands (2017-2024). Chaired the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 Organising Committee and was knighted in 2023 for services to sport and community in the West Midlands. Sir John took on the Chair role following Noel's death in 2020, having been a Trustee of the Sweeney family trust since 2017.

Charmaine Mary Sweeney (Trustee) - Appointed November 4, 2020

Noel Sweeney's eldest daughter and key foundation spokesperson.

Michael David Holder (Trustee) - Appointed July 13, 2020

Financial Director and Trustee.

Sinead Blaithnaid Rose (Trustee) - Appointed December 1, 2023

Julie Elizabeth Caudle (Trustee) - Appointed December 1, 2023

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Leadership Quotes

Charmaine Sweeney, Trustee: “My father was passionate about giving back and ensuring those facing hardship were supported with compassion.”

Charmaine Sweeney: “The Noel Sweeney Foundation aims to provide crucial support to local charities and initiatives to help enrich communities in need.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation operates a transparent three-stage application process:

• Organisation overview (establishment date, type, objectives, geographical reach)
• Current funding sources
• Organisation address and contact details
• Charity number (if applicable)
• Description of requested support and expected benefits

1. Interview Stage: Suitable applicants are invited to discuss their project in detail with foundation representatives.

1. Trustee Review: The foundation panel assesses applications and presents recommendations to Trustees for final approval.

Required Documents

• Governing document with asset lock evidence
• Most recent audited/independently examined accounts
• Recent bank statement (within 3 months)
• Safeguarding policy

Eligible Organisation Types

• Registered charities
• Social enterprises
• Community interest companies
• Constituted community groups
• Constituted voluntary groups

Decision Timeline

Trustees meet quarterly. Application deadlines are the last day of the month preceding each meeting:

• 31 January → February meeting
• 30 April → May meeting
• 31 July → August meeting
• 31 October → November meeting

Applicants are notified of outcomes following trustee decisions.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented priorities and funded projects:

• Alignment with Noel's Legacy: Projects should reflect Noel Sweeney's values of believing in people, helping them thrive, creating better environments, and promoting sustainable communities.

• Grassroots Focus: The Foundation explicitly prioritises grassroots projects and charities. Examples include Spark Burntwood's “Play in the Park” summer meal programme and Chasetown Christmas lights events.

• Clear Beneficiary Impact: Successful applications demonstrate direct benefit to young, disadvantaged, or disabled people. The St Basils grant was successful because it clearly served young people aged 16-25 facing homelessness.

• Geographic Alignment: Strong preference for projects operating in West Midlands, Staffordshire, and Shropshire. The Foundation describes itself as supporting “local communities in the Midlands.”

• Community Growth: Projects that “help communities to grow and prosper and provide a service that benefits the widest group of people” align with stated criteria.

• Construction Industry Connection: The Foundation specifically aims to “support the education of young people seeking a career in the construction industry” - a unique priority reflecting the founder's background.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Regional Focus is Critical: Applications must demonstrate clear activity within West Midlands, Staffordshire, or Shropshire - the Foundation does not fund outside this geographic area.

1. Grassroots Preference: The Foundation explicitly favours grassroots organisations over large national charities. Small community groups with direct local impact are well-positioned.

1. Quarterly Cycle: Plan applications around the four annual deadlines (January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31) to ensure consideration at the next trustee meeting.

1. Prepare for Interview: The three-stage process includes an interview, so be ready to present your project in person and answer detailed questions.

1. Construction Industry Angle: If your project involves career development or education in construction trades, highlight this prominently as it connects directly to the founder's legacy.

1. Document Requirements: Ensure you have up-to-date accounts, a recent bank statement (within 3 months), safeguarding policy, and governing documents before applying.

1. Demonstrate Community Benefit: Use language that emphasises community growth, helping people thrive, and creating sustainable change - reflecting the Foundation's stated values.

References

• The Noel Sweeney Foundation Official Website -
• The Noel Sweeney Foundation - Our Story -
• The Noel Sweeney Foundation - Our Impact -
• Charity Commission Register - THE NOEL SWEENEY FOUNDATION (1194201) -
• Support Staffordshire - The Noel Sweeney Foundation -
• Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce - “Homeless charity awarded £80,000” -
• Construction UK Magazine - “Tara Group donates £80,000 towards St Basils” -
• The Phoenix Newspaper - “Foundation reaches £1m donation milestone” -
• Tara Group Website -