The Thomas Farr Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £365,000 (approx.)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Up to 2 months from deadline
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000
• Geographic Focus: Nottinghamshire and adjacent areas where Home Brewery operated

Contact Details

• Website: www.thomasfarrcharity.com
• Email: nina@nottscf.org.uk / enquiries@forevernotts.com
• Phone: 01623 620202
• Address: Ash House, Ransom Wood Business Park, Southwell Road West, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG21 0HJ
• Applications managed by: Forever Notts (Community Foundation for Nottinghamshire)

Overview

The Thomas Farr Charity was established in 1989 following the sale of the Home Brewery in Nottingham. The charity maintains the brewery's philanthropic legacy by supporting registered charities and constituted voluntary and community groups in areas where the Home Brewery had a presence throughout Nottinghamshire and adjacent regions. With an annual expenditure of approximately £365,000 (2023: £365,701; 2024: £372,653), the charity makes grants of up to £5,000 to organizations working across four priority areas: education, youth, health, and the elderly. The charity is governed by four trustees who meet three times annually to review applications, with grant distributions dependent on their discretion and income generated from the charity's investments.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Grants: Up to £5,000 per grant
• Application Method: Online through Forever Notts platform
• Deadlines: Fixed deadlines three times annually (January 20th, May 20th, September 20th)

Priority Areas

The trustees prioritize support for projects in the following areas:

Education

• Lifelong learning projects helping people of any age achieve their educational potential

Youth

• Community development initiatives
• Social preventive schemes covering activities which prevent crime
• Projects supporting young people in the care system

Health

• Community healthcare activities
• Health education programs

The Elderly

• Community social activities promoting social engagement for vulnerable people
• Personal social services assisting individuals or families to overcome social deprivation

Cross-Cutting Themes

• Community development helping groups organize and respond to problems and needs in their communities
• Organizations involved with personal social services

What They Don't Fund

• Grants to individuals
• Large national charities based outside of Nottinghamshire
• Loans or business finance
• Campaigning work and projects that are primarily political
• Retrospective activities (activities that have already taken place)
• General appeals or mail shot appeals
• Activities typically funded by local authorities

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by four trustees who meet three times annually to review applications. Applications are currently administered by Forever Notts (formerly Nottinghamshire Community Foundation), led by CEO Nina Dauban. One or more trustees receive payments or benefits from the charity. The charity has no employees with benefits exceeding £60,000 and no trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the Forever Notts website. Organizations should:

1. Visit www.forevernotts.com/grants or www.thomasfarrcharity.com
2. Complete the online application form
3. Ensure applications are submitted by the relevant deadline
4. Contact Forever Notts on 01623 620202 or enquiries@forevernotts.com for guidance

Eligibility: Registered charities and constituted voluntary and community groups operating in or benefiting people in Nottinghamshire and adjacent areas where Home Brewery operated

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: March, July, and November each year
• Application Deadlines: January 20th, May 20th, and September 20th respectively
• Decision Time: Up to 2 months from the deadline
• Notification: Via Forever Notts

Success Rates

Success rate information is not publicly available. The amount of grants distributed varies annually based on trustees' discretion and income generated from the charity's investments.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly stated. Applicants should contact Forever Notts for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Historical Focus: The trustees have “historically sought to support” projects in their priority areas, suggesting they value organizations that align with their established funding patterns.

Geographic Connection: Strong emphasis on Nottinghamshire and areas where the Home Brewery had a presence. Applications should clearly demonstrate local benefit.

Community Impact: The charity prioritizes projects that help groups “organize and respond to problems and needs in their communities” and promote “social engagement for vulnerable people.”

Specific Project Funding: The charity does not support general appeals or mail shots, indicating preference for specific, well-defined projects.

Recent Grant Example: Broxtowe Youth Homelessness received £10,000 for a project supporting young people in the care system in Nottinghamshire, demonstrating the charity's support for targeted youth services addressing specific needs.

Appropriate Scale: With grants up to £5,000, the charity supports local and community-level organizations rather than large national charities.

Forward-Looking Projects: Applications for retrospective activities (already completed) are not considered, emphasizing the need for future-focused proposals.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Meet the deadlines: With only three funding rounds annually (January 20th, May 20th, September 20th), missing a deadline means waiting months for the next opportunity
• Stay local: The charity's roots in the Home Brewery's operational areas mean strong Nottinghamshire connections are essential
• Demonstrate community benefit: Show how your project helps groups respond to community problems or promotes social engagement for vulnerable people
• Keep it specific: Avoid general appeals—present a clear, specific project with defined outcomes
• Work through Forever Notts: Applications are managed by Forever Notts, who can provide guidance—don't hesitate to contact them at enquiries@forevernotts.com or 01623 620202
• Focus on the four priority areas: Education, youth, health, and elderly are the established areas of interest
• Budget appropriately: With a £5,000 maximum, ensure your project is appropriately scaled or that this grant represents one component of a larger funding package

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• J N Derbyshire Trust
• LILIAN FRANCES HIND BEQUEST (TRUSTEES OF LADY HIND)
• Forever Notts (Nottinghamshire Community Foundation)
• THE JONES 1986 CHARITABLE TRUST
• Sir John Eastwood Foundation
• Nottinghamshire Miners' Welfare Trust Fund Scheme
• The Fifty Fund
• The Charles Littlewood Hill Trust
• Boots Charitable Trust
• Dunn Family Charitable Trust

References

• The Thomas Farr Charity official website: www.thomasfarrcharity.com
• Forever Notts grant page: https://www.forevernotts.com/grant/the-thomas-farr-charity/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=328394
• Nottingham CVS: https://www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk/news-and-events/news-articles/thomas-farr-charity
• Broxtowe Youth Homelessness grant announcement: https://broxtoweyouthhomeless.org.uk/thomas-farr-charity/