The Radcliffe Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £485,650 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (competitive - receives more applications than can support)
• Decision Time: Up to 6 months
• Grant Range: £2,500 - £7,500
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
• Funding Cycles: Two rounds per year (July and December)

Contact Details

• Website: www.theradcliffetrust.org
• Email: radcliffe@thetrustpartnership.com
• Phone: 01285 841900
• Address: 6 Trull Farm Buildings, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8SQ
• Charity Number: 209212
• Pre-application support: Contact the Administrator to discuss applications (no guarantee of success)

Overview

The Radcliffe Trust is one of the UK's oldest charitable trusts, founded in 1714 following the death of eminent physician Dr. John Radcliffe. Dr. Radcliffe willed that “all the residue and overplus of my real and personal Estate... shall be used and applied to such charitable (uses) as their discretion shall think best.” The Trust's endowment was substantially enhanced in 1970 when agricultural holdings purchased in 1713 became part of Milton Keynes. Today, the Trust awards approximately £485,650 annually in grants, making it a significant funder in its specialist areas. The Trust focuses on classical music education and heritage crafts, supporting the development of skills, knowledge, and experience in these traditional cultural sectors across the UK.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Music Scheme: £2,500 - £5,000

• Supports classical music performance and training, particularly chamber music, composition, and music education
• Application windows: November 1 - January 31 (for July consideration) and May 1 - July 31 (for December consideration)
• Online applications only

Heritage & Crafts Scheme: £2,500 - £7,500

• Supports development of skills, knowledge, and experience in the UK's heritage and crafts sector
• Same application windows as Music Scheme
• Online applications only

Priority Areas

Music Scheme:

• Music for children and adults with special needs
• Youth orchestras
• Projects at secondary and higher levels, including academic research
• Chamber music ensembles and quartets
• Classical music composition
• Music education and training

Heritage & Crafts Scheme:

• Emerging craftspeople of high quality
• Craft and conservation projects and training
• Projects demonstrating creative outcomes by designer-makers
• Projects with potential for capacity building within the sector
• Special needs projects focusing on therapeutic benefits of skills development
• Occasional grants in other areas of cultural creativity (theatre, performance, literature) where projects promote high-level skills among early career practitioners and disadvantaged groups

What They Don't Fund

General Exclusions:

• Applications from individuals
• General appeals or endowments
• Fixed core costs (though proportionate overheads are accepted)
• Retrospective grants (projects starting before Trustees' meeting date)
• Applications from individual mainstream primary and secondary schools
• Projects solely or primarily about nature, landscapes, gardens, land management, or environmental conservation
• Projects that are primarily social or therapeutic in nature (Heritage & Crafts)
• Projects solely or primarily for equipment or materials (Heritage & Crafts)
• Direct applications from Church of England churches (must apply through Church Buildings Council)
• Late applications
• More than one application per organization per scheme per grant round

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees:

• Sir Christopher Butcher (Chairman)
• Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE
• Mel Howse
• Sarah Derbyshire MBE
• Ellen Schroder
• David Whelton LVO OBE
• Timothy Wilson
• Countess Elizabeth Howe
• Mike Pickett

The Trust's governance reflects its commitment to maintaining the vision of Dr. John Radcliffe, who stated in his will: “I Will that all the residue and overplus of my real and personal Estate... shall be used and applied to such charitable (uses) as their discretion shall think best.” The Trustees meet twice annually to review applications and make funding decisions.

Historical Legacy:

The Trust initially spent £40,000 on building the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford, and subsequently built the Radcliffe Observatory and Radcliffe Infirmary, demonstrating its long-standing commitment to educational and cultural infrastructure.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Online applications only via theradcliffetrust.org
• Two application windows per year:
• November 1 - January 31 for July Trustees' meeting (projects must start on or after July 1)
• May 1 - July 31 for December Trustees' meeting (projects must start on or after January 1)
• One project per application - choose the project most closely matching Trustees' interests
• Organizations can apply to both Music and Heritage & Crafts schemes in the same round
• Applications cannot be edited after submission
• Maximum of two supporting photographs can be attached if helpful
• Clearly distinguish between direct project costs and associated overheads in budget

Decision Timeline

• Decision process: Up to 6 months from application deadline
• Trustees meet: Twice annually (July and December)
• Notification: Decisions communicated as soon as possible after Trustees' meeting
• Note: No decisions are final until minutes of the meeting are approved

Success Rates

The Trust does not publish specific success rates. However, they explicitly state that they “receive more applications than they are able to support,” indicating competitive selection. No feedback is provided on unsuccessful applications.

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful applicants: Welcome to submit another application in the next grant round
• Successful applicants: Must not reapply for 12 months
• Three-year rule: Organizations that have received funding for three consecutive years must take a one-year break before reapplying

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from the Trust

1. Choose carefully: “Only one project per application” - select the project that most closely matches the Trustees' interests
2. Budget clarity: “Distinguish clearly between direct project costs and associated overheads” in your budget
3. Overhead costs: While the Trust "doesn't support fixed core costs,“ it accepts ”full cost recovery“ and will consider ”a proportionate but limited share of overheads"
4. Timing: Ensure project start dates are on or after the relevant Trustees' meeting date (July 1 or January 1)
5. Prepare in advance: “Gather information about your organisation, project and finances in sufficient time before the deadline”
6. Category selection: “Select the category most closely matching” your project
7. Administrator support: “You can contact the Administrator to discuss your application,” though “any guidance given offers no guarantee of success”

Recent Grant Example

Ulster Youth Orchestra: Received multiple grants since 2009, with the 2023 grant supporting the Ulster Youth Orchestra's 30th Anniversary Summer Residential Course and Concerts. This demonstrates the Trust's willingness to support established organizations with strong track records over extended periods.

Key Language and Terminology

• Focus on “skills development,” “training,” and “education”
• Emphasize “classical music performance” rather than general music
• For heritage/crafts, highlight “traditional cultural heritage,” “craftspeople,” and “conservation”
• Reference “capacity building” for sector development projects
• Use “therapeutic benefits” when discussing special needs projects
• Mention “early career practitioners” when relevant

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Missing application deadlines (late applications are not considered)
• Applying with projects that start before the Trustees' meeting date
• Submitting applications for fixed core costs without project-specific focus
• Failing to distinguish between direct costs and overheads in budget
• Applying as an individual rather than through an organization
• Submitting more than one application per scheme per round

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Timing is critical: The Trust operates a strict bi-annual cycle with no flexibility for late applications. Plan project start dates carefully to align with July 1 or January 1 start requirements.

1. Alignment with heritage focus: With over 300 years of history, this Trust values traditional skills, classical forms, and conservation. Frame projects within this context of preserving and developing cultural heritage.

1. Skills development is paramount: Whether music or crafts, emphasize training, education, and skills development rather than general participation or equipment purchases.

1. Budget transparency matters: Clearly separate direct project costs from overheads. Show that you understand full cost recovery principles while keeping overhead requests proportionate.

1. Strategic application selection: With only one project allowed per scheme per round, choose strategically. Consider which project best demonstrates skills development, training outcomes, and alignment with classical/traditional heritage focus.

1. Pre-application engagement: The Trust welcomes discussion with the Administrator before applying. Use this opportunity to test alignment and clarify eligibility questions.

1. Multi-year relationship potential: The Ulster Youth Orchestra example shows the Trust values long-term relationships with organizations demonstrating consistent quality and impact, though the three-year break rule prevents over-dependence on a single funder.

References

• The Radcliffe Trust official website: www.theradcliffetrust.org
• Application & Guidelines page: https://theradcliffetrust.org/guidelines/
• Music Scheme details: https://theradcliffetrust.org/music-grants/
• Heritage & Crafts Scheme details: https://theradcliffetrust.org/criteria/
• About page: https://theradcliffetrust.org/about/
• Frequently Asked Questions: https://theradcliffetrust.org/side_tabs/faqs/
• UK Charity Commission Register entry for Dr Radcliffe's Trust (Charity No. 209212): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/209212
• PAVO funding information: https://www.pavo.org.uk/news/the-radcliffe-trust/
• Ulster Youth Orchestra case study: https://theradcliffetrust.org/ulster-youth-orchestra/