The Top Charity Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £139,428 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 2-3 weeks after panel meeting
• Grant Range: £500 - £1,000
• Geographic Focus: Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

Contact Details

TopCashback Sustainability Fund (managed by Community Foundation for Staffordshire):

• Email: programmes@staffordshire.foundation
• Phone: 01785 339540
• Website: https://staffordshire.foundation/grants/topcashbackfund/

The Top Charity Limited:

• Email: peter@topcashback.co.uk
• Phone: 01785 503121
• Address: Temeraire House, Nelson Court, Staffordshire Technology Park, Stafford ST18 0WQ

Overview

THE TOP CHARITY LIMITED (Charity Number 1155742) was established to channel voluntary donations from members of Top Online Partners Group Limited (TopCashback) to charitable causes. Founded by the Staffordshire-based cashback shopping site, the charity reported total income of £172,234 and total expenditure of £139,428 in 2024. In May 2023, the charity established the TopCashback Sustainability Fund in partnership with the Community Foundation for Staffordshire as part of their ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) work. The fund supports environmental and healthy living initiatives across Staffordshire, with grants typically ranging from £500 to £1,000. According to CEO Olly Ragg, “We want to create a positive future for the community we exist in... help our environment.” The charity operates with three trustees and five volunteers, with no trustees receiving remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

TopCashback Sustainability Fund: £500 - £1,000

• Rolling application process through online funding portal
• Next deadline: 28th February 2026
• Panel meeting: 18th March 2026
• Most grants awarded to smaller, grassroots organisations (~£500)
• Larger grants available for more wide-ranging projects (up to £1,000)
• Higher awards possible at discretion of advisers

Priority Areas

Environmental Activities:

• Projects that sustain the natural environment within the community
• Activities that increase or enhance local environmental services
• Projects that provide activities in natural environment settings

Healthy Living:

• Initiatives that engage people to improve healthy living pursuits
• Community-based health and wellbeing activities

Eligible Organizations:

• Constituted community and voluntary groups
• Registered charities
• Social enterprises
• Organizations based in or serving Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

Eligible Costs:

• Core costs
• Equipment costs
• Capital costs
• Training costs
• One-off event costs
• Project costs

What They Don't Fund

• Religious projects
• Political campaigning
• Statutory services (services that should be provided by government)
• Retrospective funding (projects already completed or costs already incurred)
• Organizations outside Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent geographical area

Ready to write a winning application for The Top Charity Limited?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Trustees: 3 trustees (names not publicly listed)

Volunteers: 5 volunteers

Key Leadership - TopCashback:

• Olly Ragg, CEO: “Although TopCashback has grown from humble roots in Uttoxeter into a global brand, Staffordshire remains our home and we have always taken our commitment to our local community seriously... We want to create a positive future for the community we exist in... help our environment.”

Partner Organization - Community Foundation for Staffordshire:

• Faye Williams: "I'm delighted that such a prominent international brand... are supporting the work of The Community Foundation."

The charity operates with no trustees receiving any remuneration, payments, or benefits, demonstrating a commitment to directing maximum funds toward charitable purposes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Community Foundation for Staffordshire's online funding portal.

Application Requirements:

• Governance document (constitution, articles of association, etc.)
• Most recent accounts
• Recent bank statement (within last three months)
• Safeguarding policy (if working with children or vulnerable adults)
• Equality and diversity policy
• Quotes for any capital items or services costing over £500

Application Deadlines:

• Current deadline: 28th February 2026
• Applications reviewed in rounds with specific cut-off dates

Decision Timeline

• Panel Meeting: Typically held 2-3 weeks after application deadline (e.g., 18th March 2026 for 28th February 2026 deadline)
• Total Timeline: Approximately 2-4 weeks from deadline to decision
• Notification Method: Applicants informed via email following panel meeting

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the fund specifically targets smaller, grassroots organisations in Staffordshire, suggesting a focus on supporting community-level initiatives.

Reapplication Policy

If unsuccessful, applicants receive feedback explaining why the application was not successful. Applicants are welcome to resubmit an application for the same project if they can address the objections or problems identified in the feedback. There is no specified waiting period for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Clear and Concise Applications:

The Community Foundation for Staffordshire emphasizes the importance of clarity: “When completing your application form it is important to be clear and concise. Review the criteria and answer the required questions in a way that shows that you can meet the criteria and the aims of the scheme.”

Explain Everything:

“The panel making the decisions will most likely be unaware of your organisation or your project, and therefore you need to explain all necessary points, even if you think they are clear.”

Peer Review:

"It's a good idea to get a friend or colleague to review your application – someone who doesn't know too much about your group or project, and ask them if it is clear."

Alignment with Sustainability and Environment:

Given the fund's specific focus on environmental sustainability and healthy living, applications should clearly demonstrate how the project contributes to sustaining the natural environment or engaging people in healthy living pursuits.

Local Community Impact:

Applications should emphasize benefits to the Staffordshire/Stoke-on-Trent community, reflecting TopCashback's commitment to their local area as CEO Olly Ragg stated: “Staffordshire remains our home and we have always taken our commitment to our local community seriously.”

Pre-Application Support:

The Community Foundation offers advice and guidance prior to completing applications and can help with supporting documents. Organizations are encouraged to seek this support to strengthen their applications.

Policy Documentation:

Ensure all required policies are in place and up to date, particularly safeguarding and equality policies, as these are mandatory submission documents.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on grassroots community impact: The fund specifically targets smaller, grassroots organisations with typical grants around £500, though larger grants up to £1,000 are possible for wider-ranging projects
• Emphasize environmental sustainability: Clearly articulate how your project sustains the natural environment or engages people in healthy living pursuits within Staffordshire
• Use the online portal: Applications must be submitted through the Community Foundation's online funding portal with all required supporting documents
• Seek pre-application support: The Community Foundation offers free advice and guidance before submitting - use this resource to strengthen your application
• Get external review: Have someone unfamiliar with your project review your application for clarity before submission
• Be prepared for rolling deadlines: Plan ahead for specific cut-off dates and panel meeting schedules (e.g., 28th February 2026 deadline, 18th March 2026 panel)
• Reapplication is welcome: If unsuccessful, use the feedback provided to strengthen a resubmission - there's no waiting period restriction

References

1. UK Charity Commission - THE TOP CHARITY LIMITED (Charity Number 1155742). Register of Charities. Accessed 29 December 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1155742&subid=0

1. Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire. “The TopCashback Sustainability Fund.” Accessed 29 December 2024. https://staffordshire.foundation/grants/topcashbackfund/

1. Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. “Cashback leader sets up new charitable fund.” May 2023. Accessed 29 December 2024. https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/resource/cashback-leader-sets-up-new-charitable-fund.html

1. Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire. “TopCashback Supports The Foundation!” Accessed 29 December 2024. https://staffordshire.foundation/topcashbackdonation/

1. Support Staffordshire. “TopCashback Sustainability Fund - Grants Available.” Accessed 29 December 2024. https://supportstaffordshire.org.uk/topcashback-sustainability-fund-grants-available/

1. Community Foundation for Staffordshire. “Grants.” Application guidance and advice. Accessed 29 December 2024. http://staffsfoundation.org.uk/grants/