The Stevenage Community Trust

Charity Number: 1000762

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M
Geographic Focus: Hertfordshire

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £100,000 target
  • Total Distributed: £2.5 million+ since 1990
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Quarterly committee meetings
  • Grant Range: Small grants (specific amounts vary by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Stevenage and 12 surrounding villages

Contact Details

Address: Stewart House, Primett Road, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 3EE

Phone: 01438 525390

Email: enquiries@stevenagecommunitytrust.org

Website: www.stevenagecommunitytrust.org

Grant Information: www.stevenagecommunitytrust.org/grants

Overview

Established in 1990, The Stevenage Community Trust is an independent charity (registered charity number 1000762) that has distributed over £2.5 million in grants to support local people and organisations over its 35-year history. The Trust aims to distribute £100,000 annually to charities, community groups, schools, sports clubs, and individuals in need across Stevenage and the immediate surrounding area. With total income of £174,675 and expenditure of £180,604, the Trust is entirely volunteer-led with 11 trustees and relies on corporate membership subscriptions, fundraising, and donations to fund its grant-making activities. Only 38.5% of charities incorporated in 1990 are still operating today, making the Trust's longevity a testament to its sustained community impact. President Rob Stewart, a founding member and trustee for 36 years, emphasizes building on “rock solid foundations” while aiming to be more impactful as the Trust looks toward its 50th anniversary.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates multiple grant streams:

  • Organizational Grants: Rolling quarterly basis for charities, community groups, schools, and sports clubs
  • Recent examples: £120 to £4,980
  • Applications reviewed quarterly by grants committee
  • Hardship Grants: Year-round for individuals and families in crisis
  • Must be referred by a professional (health worker, social worker, teacher, etc.)
  • Cannot accept self-referrals
  • Quick response to urgent cases
  • Christmas Gift Cards: Annual program providing £150 vouchers to families in need
  • Recent year: 246 families supported, totaling £36,900
  • Heating Grants: Support for elderly individuals with heating costs
  • Over 60s Support: Funding for organizations supporting older people for events, projects, equipment, or activities

Priority Areas

  • Community development and wellbeing
  • Support for vulnerable individuals and families in financial hardship
  • Youth services and education
  • Mental health and addiction recovery services
  • Support for older people (60+)
  • Sports and recreation for community benefit
  • Services for people with disabilities
  • Addressing food poverty and essential needs
  • Organizations serving blind and visually impaired residents

What They Don't Fund

The Trust restricts funding to Stevenage and the following surrounding villages only: Almshoe Bury, Aston, Benington, Cromer, Datchworth, Graveley, Knebworth, Great Wymondley, Little Wymondley, Old Knebworth, Rabley Heath, Walkern, Watton-at-Stone, Weston, and Woolmer Green. Applications from outside this geographic area will not be considered.

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Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership:

  • Robert Stewart - President/Trustee: Founding member (1990), trustee for 36 years, President since 2023. Also founder of Stevenage Packaging and the Uniqueness charity. Awarded Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary Club in 2018 for “Service above Self.”
  • Sharon Johnson - Chair
  • Steve McQueen - Vice Chair
  • Rob Case - Treasurer/Finance and Management Committee Chair
  • Jeannette Thomas - Grants Committee Chair
  • Additional Trustees: Mike Phoenix, John Greenall, Alexander Bradley Clarkson, Alastair Bruce, Charlotte Carroll, Simon Houston

Patrons: Baroness Sharon Taylor OBE, Lord David Cobbold, Barry Norman CBE, Ken Follett CBE

The Trust is entirely volunteer-led with no paid staff and no trustees receiving remuneration. The grants committee, chaired by Jeannette Thomas, meets quarterly to assess applications.

Leadership Quote: President Rob Stewart states, “In our first 35 years, we gave out more than £2.5 million in grants to help local people and organisations... our aim is to build on these rock solid foundations.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizations and Groups:

  1. Include all required supporting documents
  2. Submit by the quarterly deadline

Important: Incomplete applications or those lacking information may be declined. Ensure all relevant supporting documents are included.

For Individuals and Families:

  • Applications must be submitted by a professional with an ongoing relationship with the applicant
  • Professional must be from a recognized organization (health professional, teacher, social worker, etc.)
  • Cannot accept self-referrals
  • Use the Hardship Grant application form
  • Applications accepted year-round for urgent cases

Decision Timeline

Organizations/Groups: Grants committee meets quarterly. Next deadline typically 8-16 weeks apart. Completed applications must be submitted by the specified deadline for consideration at the next meeting.

Individuals/Hardship Cases: The Trust can react quickly and efficiently to urgent cases to ensure help is available to those most in need. Decisions made on a rolling basis.

Notification methods not publicly specified; applicants can contact the Trust for updates.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust aims to distribute £100,000 annually and has maintained consistent grant-making for 35 years, suggesting a strong commitment to supporting the local community.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the Trust directly to discuss reapplication possibilities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented priorities and recent grant awards, successful applications demonstrate:

Community Impact: The Trust values grants that benefit multiple people or address widespread community needs. Recent successful grants include £1,500 to Stevenage Football Club's Community Kitchen Sandwich Service (providing 1,500 sandwiches over 3 months) and £120 to Stevenage Family Centre (supporting 24 vulnerable families).

Clear Articulation of Need: For hardship grants, applications must come from recognized professionals who can clearly document the need. The Trust emphasizes that they “can only discuss grant applications for hardship with the professional involved.”

Geographic Alignment: Applications must clearly demonstrate benefit to residents of Stevenage or the 12 specified surrounding villages. This is a strict eligibility criterion.

Modest Requests: The Trust describes itself as providing “small grants.” Recent organizational awards range from £120 to £4,980, with typical grants appearing to fall in the £1,000-£2,000 range.

Specific Purpose: Successful grants support specific projects, equipment, or activities rather than general operating costs. Examples include:

  • £1,000 to Herts Vision Loss for a new support group and counseling sessions
  • £1,000 to The Living Room for new seating
  • £2,000 to Headway Hertfordshire for Pathways rehabilitation project

Supporting Vulnerable Groups: The Trust prioritizes support for disadvantaged families, older people, people with disabilities, and those experiencing hardship. Applications should clearly identify the vulnerable group being served.

Complete Applications: The Trust explicitly states that “incomplete applications or those lacking information may be declined.” Attention to detail and thoroughness are essential.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic specificity is critical: You must serve Stevenage or one of the 12 named surrounding villages. Applications from outside this area will not be considered.
  • Think small and specific: Target grant requests between £500-£2,500 for the best fit. Focus on specific equipment, projects, or activities rather than general running costs.
  • For individual support, work through professionals: The Trust will not accept self-referrals for hardship grants. Partner with social workers, healthcare professionals, or teachers who can submit on behalf of individuals.
  • Plan for quarterly cycles: For organizational grants, align your project timeline with the quarterly committee meetings. Don't wait until the last minute to submit.
  • Complete applications matter: Incomplete submissions may be declined outright. Ensure all supporting documents are included and the application is thoroughly completed.
  • Demonstrate local impact: Show how your project benefits Stevenage residents or addresses a clear local need. The Trust has 35 years of deep community knowledge.
  • Emphasize vulnerable populations: Applications supporting older people (60+), people with disabilities, families in hardship, or those facing mental health or addiction challenges align strongly with the Trust's priorities.

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