The Roger And Sarah Bancroft Clark Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 211513
• Annual Giving: £594,454 (2022)
• Grant Range: Typically under £1,500 (though occasional larger grants made)
• Decision Time: Trustees meet four times a year
• Geographic Focus: South West UK (Somerset favoured but not exclusive)
• Application Method: Rolling - applications accepted at any time in writing

Contact Details

Address: Box 1, 40 High Street, Street, Somerset, BA16 0EQ

Phone: 01458 842121 or 01172 405584

Email: mel.park@clarks.com

Contact: Mel Park (Trust Administrator)

Note: This trust does not have its own website. Further information is available on the Charity Commission website.

Overview

The Roger and Sarah Bancroft Clark Charitable Trust was founded in 1960 and registered with the Charity Commission on 15 November 1962. The trust is closely connected to the Clark family of C&J Clark Limited (Clarks shoes), one of Somerset's most significant historical employers. Named after Roger Bancroft Clark, who served as managing director and chairman of Clarks in the 1940s-1960s, and his wife Sarah, the trust reflects the family's Quaker heritage and commitment to their local community in Street, Somerset.

With total income of £79,092 and expenditure of £1,122,654 in the 2024 financial year, the trust operates as a grant-making foundation supporting local charitable organizations in the South West. The trust maintains excellent governance standards with seven trustees who receive no remuneration, and consistently submits its annual accounts and returns on time to the Charity Commission.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a rolling grants program with no fixed deadlines. In 2022, the trust awarded 47 grants totalling £594,454, distributed as follows:

Major Heritage Grant: The trust occasionally makes significant one-off grants. In 2022, they awarded £500,854 to the Alfred Gillett Trust for the development of the Shoemakers Museum in Street, Somerset.

Small Grants Programme: The majority of grants are typically under £1,500, distributed across the following categories:

• Religious grants: 8 grants totalling £3,177 (2022)
• Educational grants: 7 grants totalling £2,779 (2022)
• Somerset grants: 8 grants totalling £3,177 (2022)
• Other grants: 23 grants totalling £9,133 (2022)

Priority Areas

The trust normally supports local charitable organizations in the South West of the UK in the following areas:

Quaker Causes: Religious Society of Friends and associated bodies receive priority consideration, reflecting the founding family's Quaker heritage.

Heritage: Organizations preserving local and regional heritage, particularly those connected to Somerset's industrial and social history.

Relief: Social welfare and relief organizations supporting communities in the South West.

Education: Educational establishments for post-graduate education and educational charities.

Somerset Charities: While not exclusive, organizations based in or serving Somerset are particularly favoured.

What They Don't Fund

• Direct applications from individuals for general financial hardship
• Direct applications from individuals for educational purposes
• The trust states these types of individual applications are no longer accepted

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust is governed by seven trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits:

1. Caroline Gould - Chair
2. Susanna Johanna Clark - Trustee (appointed 24 May 2023)
3. Eleanor Gould - Trustee (appointed 24 May 2023, also trustee of The Alfred Gillett Trust)
4. Priscilla Goldby - Trustee (appointed 15 June 2016, also trustee of The Headington Singers)
5. Robert Baldwin Robertson - Trustee (appointed 28 July 2011)
6. Cllr Martin Lovell - Trustee
7. Alice Clark - Trustee (also trustee of The Stephen Clark Charitable Settlement 1965)

The presence of multiple Clark family members on the board maintains the trust's connection to its founding family and their values. Eleanor Gould's dual role as trustee of both this trust and the Alfred Gillett Trust demonstrates the interconnected nature of the Clark family's charitable giving to Somerset heritage causes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications may be made at any time in writing to:

Mel Park

The Roger and Sarah Bancroft Clark Charitable Trust

c/o C & J Clark Ltd

Box 1, 40 High Street

Street, Somerset

BA16 0EQ

Email: mel.park@clarks.com

Phone: 01458 842121 or 01172 405584

There is no application form and the trust does not have a website. Applications should be submitted as written proposals outlining your organization's charitable work and funding needs.

Eligibility

• UK registered charities only - individual applications are not accepted
• Somerset-based charities are particularly favoured
• Organizations working in the South West of the UK are prioritized
• Charities working in Quaker causes, heritage, relief, and education are aligned with the trust's priorities

Decision Timeline

The trustees meet four times a year to review applications and make grant decisions. The trust accepts applications on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines, so applications can be submitted at any time. Specific decision timeframes are not publicly stated, but applicants can expect their applications to be considered at one of the quarterly trustee meetings following submission.

Success Rates

The trust awarded 47 grants in 2022 from their grant-making activities. Specific data on the number of applications received versus grants awarded is not publicly available, making it difficult to calculate a precise success rate. However, the trust's relatively modest annual grant budget (excluding the occasional major heritage grant) and specific geographic and thematic focus suggests applications should be well-targeted to maximize chances of success.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is stated in available public information. Given the rolling nature of applications and quarterly trustee meetings, unsuccessful applicants may wish to contact the trust administrator for guidance on whether and when to reapply.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's grant-making patterns and stated priorities, the following factors appear important for application success:

Geographic Connection: The trust shows clear preference for Somerset-based charities and those serving the South West. The 2022 major grant to the Alfred Gillett Trust (£500,854) went to a Street-based heritage organization, while the smaller grants program included a specific Somerset category with 8 grants.

Alignment with Quaker Values: The trust's founding family heritage is strongly Quaker, and religious grants specifically supporting Religious Society of Friends and associated bodies are a distinct category. Organizations reflecting Quaker values of community service, education, and social justice may resonate with trustees.

Heritage Connection: The major grant to the Alfred Gillett Trust demonstrates strong interest in preserving Somerset's industrial heritage, particularly the story of Clarks shoes and the development of Street as a company village. Heritage organizations with Somerset connections are well-positioned.

Educational Impact: The trust specifies support for “Educational Establishments for Post Graduate education,” suggesting a preference for higher education rather than primary or secondary education.

Realistic Grant Requests: With most grants typically under £1,500, applications should request amounts appropriate to the trust's normal giving pattern. The 2022 Alfred Gillett Trust grant of £500,854 appears to be an exceptional case reflecting the trust's deep connection to Clarks heritage.

Charitable Registration: The trust explicitly states that only UK registered charities can apply - organizations must have valid Charity Commission registration.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Target small grants: Most awards are under £1,500, so tailor your request accordingly unless you have an exceptional Somerset heritage project
• Emphasize local impact: Somerset connections and South West regional benefit are strongly favoured
• Highlight Quaker alignment: If your organization has Quaker connections or reflects Quaker values, make this explicit
• No deadline pressure: Applications are accepted year-round, allowing time to craft a thoughtful proposal
• Simple application process: No complex forms or portals - a well-written letter may be all that's needed
• Heritage matters: The trust's major 2022 grant went to Somerset heritage preservation, suggesting this is a priority area
• Build the connection: With trustees including Clark family members and the administrator based at Clarks, demonstrating knowledge of the trust's heritage may strengthen applications
• Be patient: With quarterly trustee meetings, allow several months for a decision depending on when your application is received

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Pople Charitable Trust
• The Edward and Dorothy Cadbury Trust
• The Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust
• The Dorothy Whitney Elmhirst Trust
• J AND M BRITTON CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE VALENTINE CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Cole Charitable Trust
• THE MICHAEL AND BETTY LITTLE TRUST
• D C R Allen Charitable Trust
• The Nani Huyu Charitable Trust

References

• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Roger and Sarah Bancroft Clark Charitable Trust (Charity Number 211513): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/211513
• Find that Charity - GB-CHC-211513: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-211513
• Bath and North East Somerset Council - Funding Directory: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/86739
• Funding Scotland - The Roger and Sarah Bancroft Clark Charitable Trust: https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000008niWqEAI/the-roger-and-sarah-bancroft-clark-charitable-trust
• Alfred Gillett Trust - About: https://alfredgilletttrust.org/about/
• Alfred Gillett Trust - Family Archives: https://alfredgilletttrust.org/collections/family-archives/
• Wikipedia - Clarks (shoe retailer): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarks_(shoe_retailer)