The Saintbury Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £260,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed, highly competitive
• Decision Time: 1-2 months from deadline
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £20,000
• Geographic Focus: West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, North Gloucestershire

Contact Details

• Website: www.thesaintburytrust.co.uk
• Email: admin@thesaintburytrust.co.uk
• Phone: 01223 460222
• Applications: Email only, twice annually

Overview

The Saintbury Trust was established in January 1985 by Chris Bryant and his wife Jean using the success of Bryant Homes, a family house-building business founded by Chris's grandfather. With assets generating approximately £360,000 in annual income and distributing around £260,000 in grants, this medium-sized charitable trust operates within a defined geographic area of the West Midlands region. The Trust's funding priorities reflect the founders' personal charitable interests, including support for the YMCA, church initiatives, Riding for the Disabled, and Birmingham community causes. The Trust reduced its geographical area from January 2022, making it even more geographically focused. New applicants face significant barriers to entry, as trustees explicitly prioritize previously funded charities, considering new applicants only in exceptional circumstances.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Standard Grants: £1,000 - £5,000 (majority of awards)
• Larger Strategic Grants: Up to £20,000 (awarded to charities where trustees have special knowledge or particular interest)
• Application Method: Email submission to fixed twice-annual deadlines

Priority Areas

1. Arts, Culture, Heritage or Science

Strong emphasis on arts organizations, particularly in Birmingham. Recent grants include:

• B:Music (£10,000)
• Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust (£5,000 for Relaxed Performances)
• Birmingham Repertory Theatre (£3,000)
• Birmingham Opera Company (£4,000)
• Birmingham Bach Choir (£1,000)
• Big Brum Theatre in Education Co (£2,000)

2. Health and Saving Lives

• Medical research and healthcare facilities
• Mental health support services
• Hospital charities and NHS trusts
• Recent grants: Alzheimer's Research UK (£20,000), The Air Ambulance Service (£20,000), Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital Charity (£12,000)

3. Disability and Ill-health Relief

• Services for people with disabilities
• Specialist care and support organizations
• Recent grants: National Star Foundation Trust (£15,000)

4. Education

• Youth development and educational opportunities
• Skills training and learning support
• Recent grants: Birmingham Boys and Girls Union (£20,000)

5. Environmental Protection

• Conservation and environmental projects
• Green spaces and community environmental initiatives
• Recent grants: Warley Woods Community Trust Limited (£2,000)

6. Prevention or Relief of Poverty

• Support services for disadvantaged communities
• Homelessness services
• Advice and advocacy services

7. Relief of Those in Need

• Care of the dying (hospice services)
• Childhood and youth support
• Services for older people
• Homelessness organizations

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (only registered charities)
• Animal charities
• Religious advancement charities
• National charities (unless trustees have special knowledge/interest)
• Local branches of national charities (unless separately registered with Charity Commission)
• Scouts, guides, sea cadets and similar organizations
• Village halls repair/improvements
• Church repair/maintenance
• General running costs (rarely funded)
• Start-up/seed-corn costs (rarely funded)
• Retrospective grants (projects already completed)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (11 total):

• Mrs. A. E. Atkinson-Willes
• B. Atkinson-Willes Esq.
• Ms A. Bhalla OBE (appointed 27 November 2020)
• Mrs. C. E. Brogan
• H. O. Forrester Esq.
• J. A. R. Houghton Esq.
• Mrs. V. K. Houghton (appointed 26 November 2021)
• Mrs. J. P. Lewis
• Mrs. A. R. Thomas
• K P Sondhi Esq. (appointed 22 April 2022)
• Dr. S. E. Wareing (appointed 26 November 2021)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The board includes recent appointments (2020-2022), suggesting active governance renewal while maintaining continuity with the founders' vision.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Submission Method: Email only to admin@thesaintburytrust.co.uk

Required Documents:

1. Completed application form (maximum 3 pages, font size 12 or larger)
2. Single-page letter on headed notepaper describing the project
3. Latest accounts (if not available on Charity Commission website)

Application Windows (twice annually):

• Spring Meeting: Applications accepted January 15 - February 28, considered in April/May
• Autumn Meeting: Applications accepted August 14 - September 30, considered in October/November

Critical Pre-Application Checks:

• Verify charity is within eligible postcode districts: B (except 77, 78, 79), CV (1-8, 31-37), DY (1, 2, 4), GL (1, 3, 4, 20, 50-53, 55, 56), WR (1-5, 7, 9-12), WS (1-5, 9, 10), WV (1, 2, 12-14)
• Charity must have at least 4 trustees
• Must be up-to-date with Charity Commission filing obligations
• Cannot apply at successive meetings
• Cannot have had 3 consecutive unsuccessful applications

Decision Timeline

• Acknowledgement: Within 1 month of submission
• Pre-Meeting Checks: 1-2 weeks before trustee meeting
• Decision Notification: Within 1 month after meeting
• Total Time: Approximately 1-2 months from deadline to decision

Notification Method: Email for both successful and unsuccessful applicants. Unsuccessful applicants receive no reasons for rejection.

Payment: Successful applicants receive grant with a receipt form to complete.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust's application guidance reveals high competition:

• The Trust experiences “an ever increasing number of applications”
• “Given limited funds available, the Trustees prefer to prioritise applications from charities they have previously funded”
• “New applicants will be considered in exceptional circumstances only”
• The Trust warns applicants with 3 consecutive unsuccessful applications that “it is most unlikely that any future applications would be considered”

These factors suggest a very low success rate for new applicants, likely well under 20%.

Reapplication Policy

• Cannot apply at successive meetings - must wait for the next application cycle
• After 3 consecutive rejections: The Trust explicitly discourages further applications, stating “it is most unlikely that any future applications would be considered”
• Previously successful applicants: Given priority in future rounds

Application Success Factors

Given the Trust's strong preference for previously funded charities, new applicants face significant barriers. However, the Trust does state new applicants are considered “in exceptional circumstances.” Based on their funding patterns and guidance, success factors include:

1. Geographic Specificity

Ensure your charity is both based and operates wholly or mainly within the precise postcode districts specified. The Trust reduced its geographic area in January 2022, so don't assume previous eligibility still applies.

2. Alignment with Founders' Interests

The Trust originated from Chris Bryant's involvement with YMCA, local church, and Birmingham Rotary Club, plus Jean Bryant's interest in Riding for the Disabled. Projects that echo these founding interests may have an advantage, particularly Birmingham-based arts organizations (B:Music, Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Repertory Theatre all received funding) and disability services.

3. Trustee Knowledge and Interest

The Trust explicitly states that "larger grants tend to be awarded to charities that the trustees (or at least one of them) have special knowledge of or if they have particular interest in the charities' work." If your charity can identify a connection to any of the 11 trustees, this significantly improves prospects.

4. Project-Based vs. Running Costs

While the Trust rarely funds general running costs or start-up costs, they do fund specific projects. Successful applications should focus on discrete, time-bound projects with clear outcomes rather than operational funding. Birmingham Hippodrome's £5,000 grant for Relaxed Performances is an example of a specific, bounded project.

5. Governance Strength

The Trust requires at least 4 trustees and current Charity Commission compliance. This suggests they value well-governed organizations. Demonstrating strong governance in your application materials may be important.

6. Appropriate Grant Size

Most grants range £1,000-£5,000. Requesting within this range may improve success chances unless you have a trustee connection justifying a larger request (up to £20,000).

7. Clear, Concise Communication

The strict 3-page application form limit and single-page letter requirement suggest trustees value brevity and clarity. Every word must count.

8. Timing

The Trust explicitly states “there is no point in applying for funds for a project which will have been completed before the meeting takes place.” Ensure your project timeline allows for the 1-2 month decision process plus grant payment time.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• New applicants face extremely high barriers: The Trust prioritizes previous grantees and considers new applicants only “in exceptional circumstances.” Unless you have a compelling case for being “exceptional,” success likelihood is very low.

• Geographic eligibility is strict and has narrowed: Verify your postcodes carefully against their specified list. The January 2022 reduction in geographic scope means some previously eligible areas are now excluded.

• Trustee connections matter significantly: Larger grants go to charities where trustees have “special knowledge” or “particular interest.” Research the 11 trustees to identify any possible connections.

• Birmingham arts organizations have strong track record: If you're a Birmingham arts charity, this is one of your best prospects, given the pattern of £1,000-£10,000 grants to multiple Birmingham cultural institutions.

• Three strikes rule is absolute: After 3 consecutive unsuccessful applications, the Trust states future applications are “most unlikely” to be considered. Don't waste your three attempts.

• Project specificity trumps operational funding: Frame requests around specific projects with clear outcomes rather than general running costs.

• Application precision is essential: With 3-page and 1-page limits, every word counts. Don't waste space on generic statements; be specific about your project, its impact, and why it aligns with the Trust's interests.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• THE STEEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• Welsh Government
• The Wolfson Foundation
• The British Film Institute
• The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
• Bernard Sunley Foundation
• THE EVESON TRUST
• The Reed Foundation
• Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• The Henry Smith Foundation
• Baron Davenport's Charity
• P F Charitable Trust
• The London Community Foundation
• The Pilgrim Trust
• National Lottery
• THE SAMUEL GARDNER MEMORIAL TRUST
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION

References

1. The Saintbury Trust official website - Homepage: https://www.thesaintburytrust.co.uk/

1. The Saintbury Trust - About Us: https://www.thesaintburytrust.co.uk/about-us/

1. The Saintbury Trust - Background and History: https://www.thesaintburytrust.co.uk/about-us/background-and-history/

1. The Saintbury Trust - Trustees: https://www.thesaintburytrust.co.uk/about-us/trustees/

1. The Saintbury Trust - Eligibility: https://www.thesaintburytrust.co.uk/eligibility/

1. The Saintbury Trust - How to Apply: https://www.thesaintburytrust.co.uk/how-to-apply/

1. The Saintbury Trust - Grants Made in 2022: https://www.thesaintburytrust.co.uk/recent-grants-awarded/grants-made-in-2022/

1. UK Charity Commission - The Saintbury Trust (326790) - Financial History: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/326790/financial-history

1. UK Charity Commission - The Saintbury Trust (326790) - Charity Overview: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/326790

1. Birmingham Hippodrome - Trusts & Grants: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/giveandjoin/trusts-foundations/ (Information about £5,000 grant for Relaxed Performances in 2024)