The Top Charity Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £142,729 (2023)
• 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. The charity reported total income of £143,463 and total expenditure of £142,729 for the year ending 31 December 2023. In 2023, the Staffordshire-based cashback shopping site established the TopCashback Sustainability Fund in partnership with the Community Foundation for Staffordshire as part of their ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) work through a significant donation. The fund supports environmental and healthy living initiatives across Staffordshire, with grants typically ranging from £500 to £1,000. According to CEO Oliver Ragg, TopCashback has “grown from humble roots in Uttoxeter into a global brand, but Staffordshire is still our home” and the company wants to “create a positive future for the community we exist in.” He explained, “One of the ways we can do this is by helping our environment. Everyone knows the environmental challenges facing our planet, and we hope by investing in schemes that help our planet and benefit our local community, we will have a positive impact.” The charity operates with three trustees and five volunteers, with no trustees receiving remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

TopCashback Sustainability Fund: £500 - £1,000

• Applications reviewed in rounds with specific cut-off dates throughout the year
• 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 Organisations:

• Constituted community and voluntary groups
• Registered charities
• Social enterprises
• Organisations 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)
• Organisations outside Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent geographical area

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: 3 trustees (names not publicly listed)

Volunteers: 5 volunteers

Key Leadership - TopCashback:

• Oliver Ragg, CEO: “We have grown from humble roots in Uttoxeter into a global brand, but Staffordshire is still our home... We want to create a positive future for the community we exist in... One of the ways we can do this is by helping our environment. Everyone knows the environmental challenges facing our planet, and we hope by investing in schemes that help our planet and benefit our local community, we will have a positive impact.”

Partner Organisation - Community Foundation for Staffordshire:

• Faye Williams, Endowments Development Manager: "I'm delighted that such a prominent international brand, based in Stafford, are supporting the work of The Community Foundation to improve the health and lives of many across the county."

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

How to Apply to The Top Charity Limited

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 (audited, independently examined, or evidence of cashflow)
• Recent bank statement (within last three months, clearly showing account name, number and sort code)
• Safeguarding policy
• Equality and diversity policy
• Quotes for any capital items or services costing over £500

Application Deadlines:

• Applications reviewed in rounds with specific cut-off dates throughout the year
• Check the Community Foundation website for current deadline dates

Decision Timeline

• Panel Meeting: Typically held 2-3 weeks after application deadline
• 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 emphasises 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 emphasise benefits to the Staffordshire/Stoke-on-Trent community, reflecting TopCashback's commitment to their local area as CEO Oliver Ragg stated: “Staffordshire is still 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. Organisations 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
• Emphasise 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 fixed deadlines: Plan ahead for specific cut-off dates and panel meeting schedules throughout the year
• Reapplication is welcome: If unsuccessful, use the feedback provided to strengthen a resubmission - there's no waiting period restriction

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Community Foundation For Staffordshire And Shropshire
• The Noel Sweeney Foundation
• Consolidated Charity Of Burton Upon Trent
• Peter Coates Foundation
• Stratford-upon-avon Town Trust
• Baron Davenport's Charity
• William Adlington Cadbury Charitable Trust
• The Michael Marsh Charitable Trust
• The Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust
• The Alan Edward Higgs Charity

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/