The Notgrove Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £227,086 (FY ending Sept 2024)
• Annual Income: £101,712
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (supports small to medium grants)
• Geographic Focus: Gloucestershire (with occasional exceptions for trustee connections)
• Application Method: Rolling basis via email or letter
• Registered Charities Only: Yes (CICs not eligible)

Contact Details

Address: The Manor, Notgrove, Cheltenham GL54 3BT

Email: diana@notgrove.com

Phone: 07545 203729 (Diana Acland, Trustee)

Website: www.notgrove.com

Overview

The Notgrove Trust was established in 1979 by Mr and Mrs David Acland in the village of Notgrove in the Cotswolds. It is a small grant-giving charity that actively seeks out small or medium organisations in Gloucestershire that may struggle to find funding elsewhere. The Trust is currently managed by the Acland family, with Diana Frances Acland, Harry Alexander Acland, Elizabeth Acland, Lucy Henrietta Morris, and Nigel Henry Rowbotham serving as trustees. The Trust operates with total annual expenditure of approximately £227,000 and focuses its grant-making on local charities that serve vulnerable populations. The Trust is particularly known for its willingness to form ongoing relationships with its beneficiaries, often awarding multi-year grants to aid cash flow and reduce administrative burden.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Current Focus: Young People

The Trust is currently focused on helping young people who often face numerous challenges in their lives, whether through poverty, social divide, or mental disability. Educational opportunities or support at this vital stage can be life-changing, and the Trust seeks charities that can make this happen.

Other Beneficiary Groups:

• Elderly/old people
• People with disabilities
• Relief of poverty
• General charitable purposes

Types of Organisations Funded:

• Small to medium charities registered with the Charity Commission
• Local organisations in Gloucestershire
• Charities struggling to find funding from larger sources

Recent Grant Examples

Recipients have included:

• Cotswold Canals Trust: Grant to assist with maintenance and operation of work boats and dredgers for canal restoration
• Ruskin Mill Trust, Nailsworth: Support for students with complex behavioural and learning difficulties
• The Rock, Cheltenham: Youth services
• #FeedGloucester and #FeedCheltenham: £3,000 to each crowdfunder during COVID-19 crisis
• The Family Haven: Family support services
• Gloucestershire Bike Project: Community transport initiative
• Cotswold Riding for the Disabled: Accessibility and disability support
• Home Start Cotswolds: Family support services
• Kate's Home Nursing: Healthcare services
• Guiting Music Festival: Arts and culture
• Cheltenham Christian Arts Festival: Community arts

What They Don't Fund

• Community Interest Companies (CICs) - only registered charities are eligible
• Medical research
• Personal applications
• Major national charities (unlikely to receive funding)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Diana Frances Acland (appointed 2014)
• Harry Alexander Acland
• Elizabeth Acland
• Lucy Henrietta Morris (appointed 2018)
• Nigel Henry Rowbotham (appointed 2021)

The Trust has 5 trustees in total, none of whom receive remuneration or benefits from the charity.

Trustee Approach:

Diana and Harry Acland take a hands-on approach to grant-making. They regularly receive letters from local charities and carefully review each project to assess how they can help and who will benefit most. They are known to visit funded organisations to see the work in progress firsthand. After visiting the Cotswold Canals Trust, Diana Acland commented: "Harry and I felt it was such a worthwhile exercise coming to visit you. Your comprehensive tour gave us a great idea of what you've achieved so far – and how much there is left to do."

How to Apply to The Notgrove Trust

How to Apply

Application Method: Rolling basis via email or letter (no application form)

What to Include:

• A written explanation of what your organisation does
• Why you want a grant
• A copy of your last year's accounts (helpful)

Contact for Applications:

• Email: diana@notgrove.com
• Phone: 07545 203729
• Post: The Manor, Notgrove, Cheltenham GL54 3BT

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be registered with the Charity Commission
• Preference for small to medium charities in Gloucestershire
• CICs are not eligible
• Charities outside Gloucestershire considered only where trustees have an established connection

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The Trust operates on a rolling basis, suggesting applications are reviewed as received rather than at fixed intervals.

Multi-Year Funding

The Notgrove Trust regularly awards multiple-year grants to charities with which they have formed ongoing relationships. This approach aids recipient cash flow and reduces administrative burden for both the charity and the Trust.

Application Success Factors

What the Trust Looks For:

1. Small to Medium Local Charities: The Trust actively seeks out organisations in Gloucestershire that may struggle to find funding elsewhere. If your charity finds it difficult to secure grants from larger funders, emphasise this in your application.

1. Focus on Young People: Currently prioritised. If your work supports young people facing challenges through poverty, social divide, or mental disability, clearly articulate the life-changing educational opportunities or support you provide.

1. Clear Beneficiary Impact: The trustees carefully assess “who will benefit from their help the most.” Be specific about your beneficiaries and the tangible difference the grant will make in their lives.

1. Relationship Building: The Trust likes to form ongoing relationships with their charities. If you're seeking initial funding, indicate openness to a longer-term partnership. If you're a previous recipient, reference the relationship in your application.

1. Registered Charities Only: Ensure you are registered with the Charity Commission. CICs are explicitly not eligible.

1. Simplicity and Authenticity: With no application form required, keep your letter or email straightforward. The trustees appreciate direct communication about what you do and why you need support.

Examples of Funded Work:

• Community infrastructure for volunteer-led restoration projects (Cotswold Canals Trust)
• Emergency food security during crises (#FeedGloucester/#FeedCheltenham)
• Youth services (The Rock, Cheltenham)
• Community transport and accessibility (Gloucestershire Bike Project, Cotswold Riding for the Disabled)
• Support for students with complex behavioural and learning difficulties (Ruskin Mill Trust)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Target audience: This Trust is ideal for small to medium Gloucestershire charities that struggle to secure funding from larger sources
• Current priority: Applications supporting young people facing poverty, social challenges, or mental disability are particularly well-aligned with current focus
• Simple process: No application form - just write or email explaining what you do and why you need funding, ideally with recent accounts attached
• Multi-year potential: Emphasise your interest in building a relationship; the Trust offers multi-year grants to reduce administrative burden
• Personal approach: Trustees Diana and Harry Acland personally review applications and visit projects - authenticity and direct communication matter
• Eligibility matters: Confirm you're a registered charity with the Charity Commission; CICs are not eligible

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• County Of Gloucestershire Community Foundation
• The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust
• The Portishead Nautical Trust
• The Verdon-smith Family Charitable Settlement
• Peter Lang Children's Trust
• The Saintbury Trust
• The Gloucestershire Association For Disability
• The Rowlands Trust
• The Nani Huyu Charitable Trust
• Sylvanus Lysons Charity

References

1. Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Notgrove Trust (278692). Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/278692/charity-overview

1. “Notgrove Estate.” Notgrove Holidays. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://notgroveholidays.com/notgrove-estate/

1. “Latest funding from The Notgrove Trust.” Notgrove Holidays. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://notgroveholidays.com/latest-funding-from-notgrove/

• Direct quote from Diana Acland: "Harry and I felt it was such a worthwhile exercise coming to visit you. Your comprehensive tour gave us a great idea of what you've achieved so far – and how much there is left to do."

1. “THE NOTGROVE TRUST | Charity Factsheet.” Giving is Great. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=278692

1. "Trusts & Supporters." The Rock. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://therock.uk.com/newpagea4c8a8c4

1. “Our Supporters.” The Family Haven. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.thefamilyhaven.com/whats-on-offer/our-supporters/

1. “Gloucestershire charitable trust leads the way to feed local families in crisis.” Punchline Gloucester. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/gloucestershire-charitable-trust-leads-the-way-to-feed-local-families-in-crisis