The Shaftesbury Homes And Arethusa (syp Trust)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £331,520 (charitable activities expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Twice yearly (June and December rounds)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £10,000 (typical)
• Geographic Focus: Greater London

Contact Details

• Website: www.shaftesburyyoungpeople.org
• Phone: 07801501324
• Email: info@shaftesbury.org.uk
• Grants Contact: jtompsett@shaftesbury.org.uk
• Address: C/O Ward Goodman Ltd, Wimborne, BH21 7SF

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 organization underwent a strategic transformation from direct service provision to becoming a grant-making trust, using its financial endowment of approximately £890,000 annual income to strengthen community support for disadvantaged young people across Greater London. With investment income of £286,410 and donations of £173,790, the trust maintains a sustainable funding model while balancing current grant-making with preserving resources for future generations, retaining £496,282 for future purposes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Standard Grants: £5,000 - £10,000 (supporting established programs aligned with priority areas)
• Innovation Funding: Seed funding for untested ideas and pilot projects
• Application rounds: June and December annually

Priority Areas

• Supporting education and employment pathways for marginalized 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
• Organizations with turnover over £1 million
• For-profit organizations
• 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 7 trustees and 1 employee, 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 online application during open rounds
5. Applications accepted for June and December decision rounds

Decision Timeline

• Two funding rounds annually: June and December
• Specific deadlines and notification timelines not publicly available
• 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:

• Organizational Profile: Demonstrate you are a smaller, community-based organization 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 organization
• 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
• Emphasize 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 organization's governance and delivery
• Keep organizational 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
• William Kendall's Charity (wax Chandlers Company)
• The Grove Trust
• London Catalyst
• Axis Foundation
• London City Airport Community Fund
• Merchant Taylors' Educational Trust
• Old Possum's Practical Trust
• The Story Of Christmas
• City Educational Trust Fund

References

• SYP Trust Official Website - www.shaftesburyyoungpeople.org
• Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 311697
• SYP Trust Grant-Making Parameters V6 2025 (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