The Starr Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £234,748 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed semi-annually (June and January)
• Grant Range: £100 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: Greater Brighton area (Brighton, East Sussex, West Sussex)

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.starrtrust.org
• Email: awards@starrtrust.com
• Phone: 01273 715882
• Registered Office: Bank House, Southwick Square, West Sussex, BN42 4FN
• Charity Number: 1127497

Overview

The Starr Trust was founded in 2008 by Rob Starr and his brother-in-law Darren following the loss of Rob's father, Edward, to cancer. This independent, family-run charity has grown from its roots to become a significant supporter of young people in the Greater Brighton area. In the year ending September 2024, the Trust had an annual expenditure of £234,748 and income of £174,914. The charity's mission is to remove roadblocks that prevent young people aged 10-25 from reaching their potential through financial grants, mentoring connections, and encouragement. The Trust focuses on supporting young people from low-income backgrounds who see opportunities for personal development but would be unable to move forward without help. As they express it, their awards are “not about what you are now, but who you could become.” Income comes entirely from community fundraising, events, and donations from companies and individuals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Individual Awards: Up to £5,000 - Financial support for young people aged 10-25 for training and development over a 12-month period. Applications reviewed semi-annually with deadlines of May 1st (for June consideration) and December 1st (for January consideration). Online application form available on website.
• Community Projects Award: Up to £10,000 - Support for community-based projects championing young people in Sport, Art, or Education. Projects must have definite start and end dates and be standalone initiatives (not part of day-to-day operations). Available for UK and international projects with links to Greater Brighton area. Online application form available.

Priority Areas

The Starr Trust supports development through five key pathways:

• Sport: Athletic training, equipment, and competitive opportunities
• Art: Creative development and artistic pursuits
• Education: Academic advancement and educational opportunities
• Mental Wellbeing: Support for emotional and psychological development
• Business: Start-up support, business planning, and entrepreneurship

Specific Costs Covered:

• CV and business plan development
• Training costs for new jobs or businesses
• First year's salary support for apprenticeships
• Work clothes, equipment, and tools
• Travel costs related to training or development
• Start-up grants and loans
• Mentoring from experienced professionals

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be aged 10-25
• Must come from a low-income background
• Must live in or have links to the Greater Brighton area (Brighton, East Sussex, West Sussex)
• For community projects outside Greater Brighton, there must be a specific link to a person within the Brighton area who is central to the project

What They Don't Fund

• Reimbursement for money already spent
• General day-to-day operations of charities or groups
• Projects without definite start and end dates
• Applications from those who do not meet age, income, or geographic criteria

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Rob Starr (Co-founder and Chairman): CEO of Seico Insurance & Mortgage Group, which he founded in 1990 at age 21. Also author of “From Starr to Starrfish” about his journey swimming the English Channel.
• Darren (Co-founder): Singer, coach, therapist and international trainer. Qualified trauma therapist and Certified High Performance Coach.
• Claire: Has extensive international publishing knowledge and is a passionate educationalist with senior leadership and curriculum development experience.
• Additional trustees with connections to the Starr family serve on the board.

The Trust operates with 6 trustees and 10 volunteers, with no paid staff earning over £60,000 and no trustees receiving remuneration or benefits.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individual Awards:

1. Complete the online application form available at www.starrtrust.org/apply
2. Ensure a referee completes the required Referee Form
3. Submit by the deadline: May 1st (for June consideration) or December 1st (for January consideration)
4. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the application is complete - the Trust confirms receipt but may not chase missing information

For Community Projects:

1. Complete the online Group Projects application form
2. Ensure the project fits eligibility criteria (benefits young people aged 10-18 from low-income households facing roadblocks)
3. Projects must have definite start and end dates
4. Submit by the appropriate deadline
5. Contact awards@starrtrust.com or 01273 715882 if unsure whether your project qualifies

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadlines: May 1st and December 1st
• Review Schedule: Applications are considered at semi-annual meetings in June and January
• Notification: Successful applicants receive an offer letter by email
• Award Duration: Awards support activities lasting up to 12 months
• Late applications are held for the following review cycle

Success Rates

The Trust does not publicly disclose success rates. As a small charity with limited funds, the funding team makes decisions based on what impact the award will have when there are more applications than available funds.

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful Applicants: Must wait at least 12 months before reapplying
• Successful Recipients: After 9 months of receiving an award, recipients are given the opportunity to reapply for another award

Application Success Factors

What the Starr Trust Values:

1. Potential Over Present Status: The Trust emphasizes that awards are “not about what you are now, but who you could become.” Focus your application on potential and future development rather than past achievements.

1. Clear Roadblocks: Demonstrate specific obstacles preventing you from moving forward without financial support. The Trust targets young people who see opportunities but cannot access them due to financial barriers.

1. Low-Income Background: Applicants must genuinely come from low-income households. This is a core eligibility requirement.

1. Measurable Impact: Particularly for group projects, the Trust wants to measure the impact on young people involved. Include clear outcomes and success metrics.

1. Complete Applications: The Trust confirms receipt of applications but cannot guarantee they will chase missing information. Ensure all forms are complete, including the referee form.

1. Specific, Time-Bound Plans: Awards support specific activities lasting up to 12 months. Vague or open-ended proposals are less likely to succeed.

1. Forward-Looking Requests: The Trust does not reimburse money already spent - only prospective costs are eligible.

Learning from Past Recipients:

The Trust recommends checking their “Our Starrs” section for guidance about the kinds of applications they fund. Past recipients have shared testimonials such as:

• “The Starr trust helped kick start my career in the Arts 10 years ago...my career has been a ride unlike anything I could have dreamed of at the time.”
• The Trust “provided funding to support my sporting career” and “provided opportunities for me to develop as a person.”

When Resources Are Limited:

As stated on their website, “As a small charity with limited funds, our funding team has to make difficult decisions when there are more applications than funds, and these decisions are based on what impact the Award will have.” This suggests applications should emphasize transformative potential and long-term impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Target the right demographic: Ensure beneficiaries are aged 10-25, from low-income backgrounds, and connected to Greater Brighton
• Plan ahead for deadlines: With only two annual review cycles (June and January), submit applications well in advance of May 1st or December 1st deadlines
• Emphasize potential and transformation: Frame proposals around “who you could become” rather than current circumstances
• Be specific about costs: Detail exactly what funding will cover and how it relates to 12-month development goals
• Don't apply for reimbursement: Only prospective costs are eligible - ensure no money has been spent before applying
• Complete all forms thoroughly: The Trust may not chase missing information, so ensure referee forms are submitted alongside applications
• Consider the 12-month waiting period: If unsuccessful, you must wait at least 12 months to reapply, so make your first application count
• Show measurable impact: Particularly for community projects, demonstrate how success will be measured and young people will benefit

References

1. The Starr Trust - Official Website -
2. Information for Applicants - The Starr Trust -
3. About Us - The Starr Trust -
4. Apply to be a Starr - The Starr Trust -
5. Trustees - The Starr Trust -
6. Our Team - The Starr Trust -
7. Announcing Our New Community Projects Award - The Starr Trust -
8. Charity Commission Register - STARR TRUST 1127497 -
9. Rob Starr Reveals How the Starr Trust Came to Be - The Starr Trust -
10. Our Starrs - The Starr Trust -