The Shaftesbury Homes and Arethusa (SYP Trust)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £310,654 (total expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Decisions made twice yearly (June and December)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £10,000 (typical)
• Geographic Focus: Greater London

Contact Details

• Website: www.shaftesburyyoungpeople.org
• Phone: 07801501324
• Email: info@shaftesbury.org.uk
• Address: C/O TC Group, 10 Bridge Street, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1EF

Overview

Founded in 1843, The Shaftesbury Homes and Arethusa (now operating as SYP Trust) has over 170 years of experience supporting vulnerable young people. The organisation underwent a strategic transformation from direct service provision to becoming a grant-making trust in 2021, using its resources to strengthen community support for disadvantaged young people across Greater London.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

• Standard Grants: £5,000 - £10,000 (supporting established programmes aligned with priority areas)
• Innovation Funding: Seed funding for untested ideas and pilot projects
• Application rounds: two per financial year with decisions in June and December

Priority Areas

• Supporting education and employment pathways for marginalised young people
• Focus on those disengaged or excluded from compulsory education
• Target groups: refugees, people with disabilities, school avoiders, traveller communities

• Medium to long-term mental health support
• Holistic health empowerment
• Small-scale, tailored support identified by young people themselves

• Youth leadership skill development with practical application
• Creative projects enabling young people to express views to decision-makers
• Building youth agency and voice

What They Don't Fund

• Capital works or improvement projects
• Organisations with turnover over £1 million
• For-profit organisations
• Schools or colleges
• Faith groups that cannot demonstrate inclusivity
• Projects outside Greater London
• Projects not focused on 11-18 age group

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Governance and Leadership

The trust operates with a lean structure of 8 trustees, with no trustees receiving remuneration and no staff earning over £60,000. This efficient governance model ensures maximum funds reach beneficiaries while maintaining professional grant-making standards.

How to Apply to The Shaftesbury Homes And Arethusa (syp Trust)

How to Apply

1. Review funding priorities and eligibility criteria on the website
2. Download and review the Grant-Making Parameters PDF
3. Contact the trust to discuss timing and project needs before applying
4. Submit stage one application during open application windows
5. If shortlisted, complete stage two application

Decision Timeline

• Two funding rounds annually with decisions in June and December
• Stage one application deadlines typically in March and September
• Stage two applications follow for shortlisted applicants
• Recommended to contact the trust directly for current round dates

Success Rates

Specific success rates not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated - applicants advised to contact the trust directly

Application Success Factors

Based on SYP Trust's stated preferences and assessment criteria:

• Organisational Profile: Demonstrate you are a smaller, community-based organisation with annual income up to £400,000 and reserves of 3-6 months running costs
• Community Connection: Show strong reputation and roots within the local London community you serve
• Youth Focus: Clearly articulate understanding of your young beneficiaries (preferably ages 11-18) and their specific needs
• Innovation Welcome: Consider proposing pilot projects or untested ideas that align with priorities
• Scalability: For pilot projects, demonstrate potential for scaling successful models
• Youth Involvement: Show how young people are involved in leadership and decision-making within your organisation
• Dissemination: Explain how you will share results, challenges, and learning from your project
• Pre-Application Contact: The trust specifically recommends calling before applying to discuss timing and project fit

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• SYP Trust explicitly welcomes a pre-application phone call - use this opportunity to test fit and timing
• Focus applications on young people aged 11-18 in Greater London facing specific disadvantages
• Emphasise community roots and local reputation rather than scale or reach
• Consider innovation funding for untested ideas if you have a strong theory of change
• Demonstrate youth leadership and voice in your organisation's governance and delivery
• Keep organisational size modest - they prefer groups with income under £400,000
• Mental health support projects are a particular priority within their health and wellbeing stream

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Trust For London
• London City Airport Community Fund
• Old Possum's Practical Trust
• The Grove Trust
• The Progress Foundation
• London Housing Foundation Ltd
• Axis Foundation
• London Freemasons Charity
• The Humanitarian Trust
• London Catalyst

References

• SYP Trust Official Website - www.shaftesburyyoungpeople.org
• Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 311697
• SYP Trust Grant-Making Parameters (referenced on website)
• SYP Trust Funding Priorities page - www.shaftesburyyoungpeople.org/our-funding-priorities
• SYP Trust Application Guidance - www.shaftesburyyoungpeople.org/further-guidance
• SYP Trust Eligibility Criteria - www.shaftesburyyoungpeople.org/who-can-apply