The Norman Dawson Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £223,481 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Ancient parish of Churchill and Blakedown, Worcestershire (with broader discretion)

Contact Details

Address: M F G Solicitors LLP, Adam House, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, DY10 2SA

Phone: 01562 820181

Email: rachel.summers@mfgsolicitors.com

Website: None

Overview

The Norman Dawson Charitable Trust was established by Trust Deed on 9 December 2005, with amendments in July 2006 and December 2008. This small, locally-focused charitable trust operates in Worcestershire, specifically serving the ancient parish of Churchill and Blakedown. In the year ending 30 June 2024, the trust distributed £223,481 in grants, significantly exceeding its annual income of £121,406 by drawing on reserves. The trust is administered by five trustees who receive no remuneration, with correspondence handled through MFG Solicitors LLP in Kidderminster. The trust's primary mission is to support charitable purposes within its local parish area, though trustees have discretion to support other charitable causes as they see fit.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate formal grant programs with specified amounts. Grant-making is conducted at the discretion of the trustees based on charitable need within their geographic focus area.

Priority Areas

• Charitable purposes within the ancient parish of Churchill and Blakedown
• Other charitable purposes at trustee discretion
• Community facilities and infrastructure (evidenced by support for local sports facilities)
• Local community organizations and causes in Worcestershire

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified, though the geographic focus on Churchill and Blakedown parish suggests organizations outside this area may have lower priority unless there are exceptional circumstances.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• David James Priestnall (Chair) - Also serves as chair of Churchill and Blakedown Millennium Green Trust
• Edward Priestnall
• Kathryn Louise Wood
• Peter James Tibbetts
• Christine Kathryn Burt

All five trustees serve without remuneration or benefits. The trust maintains policies on financial reserves, internal controls, investment, risk management, and safeguarding.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Norman Dawson Charitable Trust operates at trustee discretion, with grants awarded based on trustees' knowledge of local charitable needs and priorities within the Churchill and Blakedown area. There is no application portal, published guidelines, or formal application deadlines.

Given the trust's local focus and the fact that correspondence is handled through MFG Solicitors LLP, grants are likely awarded through:

• Trustee identification of local charitable needs
• Direct approaches from organizations known to the trustees
• Recommendations within the Churchill and Blakedown community network

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking support should note that:

• The trust chair, David James Priestnall, is actively involved in local community organizations including the Churchill and Blakedown Millennium Green Trust
• The trust has demonstrated support for community facilities in Churchill and Blakedown, including sports facilities
• Organizations operating within the ancient parish of Churchill and Blakedown are the primary beneficiaries

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. As the trust operates at trustee discretion without formal application cycles, decision timelines are likely dependent on trustee meeting schedules and individual project considerations.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The trust does not publish data on applications received or success rates.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available due to the absence of a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information, success factors can be inferred from the trust's structure and purpose:

• Geographic alignment is critical: The trust's primary focus is the ancient parish of Churchill and Blakedown. Organizations operating within this specific area are most likely to receive support.

• Community benefit: As a local charitable trust, projects that demonstrate clear benefit to the Churchill and Blakedown community are aligned with the trust's purposes.

• Trustee discretion drives decisions: With no formal application process, trustees identify and support causes based on their knowledge of local needs. Organizations with visibility in the local community may be better positioned.

• The trust draws on capital when needed: The 2024 accounts show expenditure of £223,481 against income of £121,406, demonstrating the trustees' willingness to use reserves for significant charitable purposes when opportunities arise.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a locally-focused trust serving Churchill and Blakedown parish in Worcestershire with no public application process
• The trust distributed £223,481 in 2024, demonstrating active grant-making despite its small size
• Geographic focus is paramount - organizations should operate within or serve the ancient parish of Churchill and Blakedown
• Trustees exercise full discretion over grant-making without formal application cycles or public guidelines
• Contact is through MFG Solicitors LLP in Kidderminster, specifically through Rachel Summers
• The trust has supported community facilities including sports infrastructure in the local area
• Organizations seeking funding should focus on building local community connections rather than submitting formal applications

References

• Charity Commission - The Norman Dawson Charitable Trust Full Print
• Charity Commission - The Norman Dawson Charitable Trust Overview
• Charity Choice - The Norman Dawson Charitable Trust Factsheet
• Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council Website

Accessed: 27 December 2025