The Rothley Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~£250,000 - £265,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (February, May, August, November)
• Grant Range: £100 - £10,000 (average £1,000)
• Geographic Focus: North East England (Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham, Cleveland/Hartlepool/Stockton)

Contact Details

• Website: www.rothleytrust.org.uk
• Email: gilliana@rothleytrust.co.uk
• Phone: 0191 580 5350
• Address: The Rothley Trust, PO Box 224, Bedlington, NE63 3FJ
• Office Hours: Monday–Wednesday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM

Overview

The Rothley Trust was established in 1959 by Mungo Campbell, a local businessman who made his fortune in shipping. Originally created to provide funds for his grandchildren's education, the trust has evolved over more than 60 years into a significant regional grant maker supporting charitable organisations across North East England. The trust holds approximately £10.3 million in assets, predominantly in long-term investments, and distributes around £250,000 annually in grants to charitable organisations.

The trust concentrates on three main funding areas: children and young people in disadvantaged areas, community development initiatives, and support for groups helping people with disabilities. As a member of the Association of Charitable Foundations, the Rothley Trust operates from MEA House in Newcastle, a building that Mungo Campbell himself funded in 1967 – the first purpose-built office accommodation for charities in the UK, opened by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1974.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Standard Grants: £100 - £1,000 (awarded quarterly)
• Larger Project Grants: Up to £10,000 (for significant capital projects)
• Energy Saving Programme: £100 - £1,000 from dedicated £20,000 annual budget for small energy-saving initiatives

Priority Areas

• Children and young people in disadvantaged areas
• Community development initiatives
• Disability support services
• Energy saving projects (roof insulation, radiator thermostats, blinds/curtains, energy-efficient equipment, double glazing, timer switches)
• Education
• Medical causes
• Ex-services support
• International aid (through local charity connections)

What They Fund

• Equipment purchases
• Provision, refurbishment, or repair of premises
• Energy-saving devices
• IT equipment
• Website start-up and development costs
• The trust encourages energy-efficient electrical items with an A rating or above

What They Don't Fund

• Further education
• Repair of buildings used solely for worship
• Advancement of religion
• Arts, heritage, or science
• Amateur sport
• Human rights/conflict resolution (except family mediation)
• Environmental protection
• Animal welfare
• Residents Associations
• Parish Councils
• University of the Third Age
• Large energy projects (solar panels, wind turbines)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (6 total):

• Michael Spriggs (appointed May 2025)
• James Garbutt (appointed May 2023)
• Michael Litchfield (appointed May 2023)
• Alice Susan Brunton (appointed February 2011) – also serves on Northern Praeclassica, North East Early Music Forum
• Julia Brown (appointed May 2001) – also trustee of Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services, The Scholefield Charitable Trust
• Gerard Salvin (appointed May 2001)

Staff: 1 employee (Mrs Gillian Allsopp, Administrator)

Governance: No trustee receives remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The trust maintains policies covering financial controls, risk management, trustee conflicts, investment oversight, and complaints handling. The board shows good gender balance (50%) and has undertaken active refreshment with recent appointments in 2023-2025 alongside long-serving members.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Email only: Applications must be submitted by email to gilliana@rothleytrust.co.uk
2. Application length: Two sides of A4 should be sufficient
3. All grants paid by Bank Transfer - banking documentation required

Required Documents

• Group details (name, address, phone, email, website)
• Brief organisational history
• Description of current activities and membership information
• Funding request details (purpose, timeline, total cost, your contribution, other funder applications)
• Charitable status information (charity number or arrangement with a registered charity to handle funds)
• Bank statement or paying-in slip
• List of required items with estimated costs
• Recent Annual Report and Accounts
• Constitution or governing document
• Safeguarding Policy
• For new groups: Trustee and Management Committee list

Decision Timeline

• Quarterly meetings: February, May, August, November
• Applications are reviewed at the next quarterly meeting after the submission deadline
• Notification timeline not publicly specified

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented. Contact the trust directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's stated priorities and guidance:

• Focus on specific, tangible projects: The trust explicitly states grants are for “specific projects such as the purchase of equipment or the provision, refurbishment or repair of premises” – avoid general running costs
• Provide itemised costings: Include a detailed list of items required with estimated costs
• Demonstrate local benefit: Projects must benefit the North East of England (Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham, Cleveland)
• Align with priority areas: Applications clearly demonstrating impact on children/young people in disadvantaged areas, community development, or disability support are most likely to succeed
• Choose energy-efficient options: The trust encourages charities to select electrical items with A ratings or above – this demonstrates alignment with their values
• Keep applications concise: Two sides of A4 is the recommended length – be clear and focused
• Complete documentation: Ensure all required documents are included; incomplete applications may be delayed or rejected

Example of funded project: Nurture UK received funding for education professionals from the North East to attend training programmes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small grants focus: Average grant is £1,000; most grants range £100-£1,000, with occasional larger awards up to £10,000
• Quarterly deadlines: Plan applications around February, May, August, and November meeting dates
• Equipment and capital preferred: Core costs and salaries are not typically funded; focus on specific equipment or premises needs
• North East only: Geographic restriction is strictly enforced – projects must benefit Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham, or Cleveland
• Email applications only: Post is not accepted; ensure your email includes all required attachments
• Energy efficiency valued: Demonstrating environmental awareness (choosing A-rated equipment) aligns with trust priorities
• Established trust: With over 60 years of grant-making experience, the trust has clear processes – follow their guidance precisely

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Awards for All
• The Hadrian Trust
• THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION
• The Willan Charitable Trust
• THE 1989 WILLAN CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Bernicia Foundation
• The Walter Guinness Charitable Trust
• The Thomas Sivewright Catto Charitable Settlement
• HOMELANDS CHARITABLE TRUST
• P F Charitable Trust
• FRAZER TRUST
• Scouloudi Foundation
• The Henry Smith Foundation
• THE CALLEVA FOUNDATION
• National Lottery
• THE FREE SCHOOL
• HENRY SMITH
• THE SIR JAMES ROLL CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• The Rothley Trust Homepage -
• Grant Criteria/Information Sheet -
• How To Apply For a Grant -
• Grant News -
• History of The Rothley Trust -
• Charity Commission Record - 219849 -
• Giving is Great Charity Factsheet -
• MEA House About Page - Background on trust history