The Tantum Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £291,955 (total expenditure 2024)
• Total Distributed Since 1992: Over £1.25 million
• Decision Time: Hours to days (rapid decision-making)
• Grant Range: £200 - £400 (typical individual/family grants)
• Geographic Focus: North East Hampshire and South West Surrey only (Bordon, Liphook, Haslemere, Grayshott area)

Contact Details

• Website: www.thetantumtrust.co.uk
• Email: info@thetantumtrust.co.uk
• Phone: 01420 477787
• Charity Number: 1153712

Note: Individuals and families cannot apply directly. Applications must be submitted by referring agencies (see Application Process below).

Overview

The Tantum Trust was established in 1992 to help struggling families and individuals in North East Hampshire and South West Surrey. What began as a tabletop operation in a community hall in Bordon has grown into a charity operating four shops across Bordon, Liphook, Haslemere, and Grayshott. With total income of £307,093 in 2024 and expenditure of £291,955, the Trust has distributed over £1.25 million to those most in need since its founding. The charity is unique in that it can make rapid decisions—sometimes in a matter of hours—and is not restricted in the types of assistance it can provide. This flexibility and speed make it a first port of call for Social Services and Citizens Advice when they have clients in urgent need. The Trust operates through 40 volunteers and 6 trustees, with no staff receiving benefits over £60,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual and Family Support (Referral-Based)

• Grant Range: Typically £200 - £400 per grant
• Application Method: Referral only through approved agencies
• Basis: Rolling, urgent needs assessed rapidly

Community Organisation Fund

• For: Lunch Clubs, Sports Clubs, Village Halls, and similar community groups
• Application Method: Contact required
• Basis: Rolling

Christmas Food Voucher Programme

• Amount: £25,000 distributed in 2022
• For: Neediest families nominated by local schools
• Timing: Annual at Christmas

Priority Areas

Essential Household Items

• White goods (cookers, fridges, washing machines)
• Furniture (beds, carpets, floor coverings)
• Basic household equipment

Family Support

• Childcare and nursery fees
• Food vouchers
• Mental health support for children
• Cooking classes teaching families to cook healthy meals on tight budgets

Emergency Support

• Urgent financial assistance for families in crisis
• Quick-turnaround support when other agencies cannot respond in time

What They Don't Fund

While “not restricted in what types of grants can be considered,” the Trust focuses exclusively on:

• Geographic restriction: Only supports beneficiaries in North East Hampshire and South West Surrey (specifically the Bordon, Liphook, Haslemere, and Grayshott area)
• Must be referred by approved agencies (see below)

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Governance and Leadership

The Tantum Trust is governed by 6 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The charity operates through 40 dedicated volunteers who staff the four charity shops. The Trust has no employees earning over £60,000 and maintains a lean operational structure focused on maximizing grant distribution to beneficiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Individuals and families CANNOT apply directly. All grant applications must be submitted through approved referring agencies, including:

• Citizens Advice (CAB)
• Social Services
• Health and Social Workers
• Schools
• Family Centres
• Home-Start
• Churches

Application Requirements:

• Financial statements
• Supporting evidence
• Professional assessment from referring agency

For Community Organisations: Contact the Trust directly to discuss community fund opportunities for Lunch Clubs, Sports Clubs, Village Halls, and similar groups.

Decision Timeline

The Tantum Trust is notable for its rapid decision-making process:

• Typical timeframe: Hours to days
• Trustees “make decisions as quickly as possible, sometimes in a matter of hours”
• This speed makes the Trust “the first port of call for Social Services and Citizens Advice when they have clients in need”

Success Rates

No publicly available statistics on success rates or application volumes.

Reapplication Policy

No published reapplication policy. Given the Trust's flexibility and case-by-case approach, reapplication policies are likely determined based on individual circumstances through the referring agencies.

Application Success Factors

The Tantum Trust's unique approach focuses on speed, flexibility, and meeting urgent needs. Based on the available information:

Critical Success Factors:

1. Genuine Financial Need: Applications must demonstrate urgent financial hardship with supporting financial statements.

1. Professional Referral: Strong support from referring agencies (Citizens Advice, Social Services, schools, etc.) is essential—the Trust relies on these professionals to assess needs and provide evidence.

1. Local Connection: Beneficiaries must be located within the tight geographic boundary of North East Hampshire and South West Surrey, specifically the Bordon, Liphook, Haslemere, and Grayshott area.

1. Urgent Need: The Trust's strength is rapid response to urgent needs. Applications highlighting time-sensitive situations align with the Trust's operational approach.

1. Essential Items: Focus on necessities—household equipment, essential furniture, childcare costs, food support, and mental health needs for children. The Trust has funded beds (£250), mental health support (£350), and childcare costs (£340) as recent examples.

What Makes Applications Stand Out:

According to available information, “The Tantum Trust is unique because the type of assistance it can give is not restricted and it can make rapid decisions when needed.” This suggests the Trust values:

• Clear articulation of urgent need
• Comprehensive supporting documentation
• Situations where rapid decision-making is critical
• Cases that might fall outside other funders' narrow criteria

Recent Funding Examples:

• £250 for a replacement bed for an applicant unable to work whose bedframe had collapsed
• £350 towards mental health support for a child dealing with trauma and extreme anxiety
• £340 to supplement childcare/nursery fees for a couple both employed but on low incomes
• Funding for cooking courses teaching young families to cook healthy meals on tight budgets
• £25,000 in Christmas supermarket food vouchers for neediest families in 2022

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Partner with Referring Agencies: You cannot apply directly. Build strong relationships with Citizens Advice, Social Services, schools, and Family Centres in the North East Hampshire and South West Surrey area.

• Speed is the Trust's Strength: When clients face urgent needs, this Trust can respond in hours rather than weeks—position applications to leverage this unique capability.

• No Category Restrictions: Unlike many funders, the Trust is “not restricted in what types of grants can be considered”—don't self-reject based on funding category assumptions.

• Geographic Precision Matters: The Trust serves a very specific area (Bordon, Liphook, Haslemere, Grayshott). Ensure beneficiaries are genuinely local to this region.

• Evidence is Essential: Applications “must come with financial statements and supporting evidence”—thorough documentation from the referring agency is critical.

• Think Small but Essential: Typical grants range £200-£400 for essential items that make immediate differences to struggling families—focus on necessities, not nice-to-haves.

• Community Groups Have a Separate Route: Lunch Clubs, Sports Clubs, and Village Halls can access a special community fund—contact the Trust directly rather than going through referral agencies.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Guildford Poyle Charities
• Frimley Fuel Allotments CIO
• The Eight Foundation
• Waterside Community Fund
• The Betty Riseley Trust for Children
• E F AND M G HALL CHARITABLE TRUST
• The William Price Charitable Trust
• Farnham Lions Club (CIO)
• The Shanly Foundation
• Community Foundation for Surrey

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Tantum Trust (Charity Number 1153712).. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5039634
• The Tantum Trust official website: About Us.. https://www.thetantumtrust.co.uk/about
• The Tantum Trust official website: Support for Individuals & Families.. https://www.thetantumtrust.co.uk/support-for-individuals-families
• The Tantum Trust official website: Our Shops.. https://www.thetantumtrust.co.uk/tantum-trust-shops
• Pattons Charity Shops: The Tantum Trust.. https://www.pattonscharityshops.co.uk/charity/the-tantum-trust/
• Farnham Herald: “Trust gives away shopping vouchers worth £25,000” (2022)..