The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation (forte Charitable Foundation)

Charity Number: 1063945

Annual Expenditure: £2.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??2,500,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 8 weeks (Small Grants) / 12-15 weeks (Major Grants)
  • Grant Range: ??2,000 - ??100,000 (over 3 years)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (deprived urban and rural areas)

Contact Details

Address: Ground Floor East, Kings Buildings, 16 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HQ

Phone: 020 3150 4517

Email: grants@trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk

Website: www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk (also accessible via www.fortecharitablefoundation.org.uk)

Overview

The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation (recently rebranded as Forte Charitable Foundation in June 2025 to honor founder Lord Charles Forte) was established in 1997 following the merger between Trust House Forte plc and Granada plc. The Foundation distributes approximately ??2.5 million annually to small and medium-sized local organizations across the UK. The Foundation focuses on supporting frontline charities with demonstrable track records working to address local issues in communities experiencing extreme urban deprivation (most deprived 15% on the Index of Multiple Deprivation) and deprived rural districts (most deprived 50% on IMD). The Foundation is governed by 11 trustees who meet twice annually, with Grants and Finance Committees convening quarterly. Olga Polizzi, daughter of Lord Charles Forte, serves as Chairman. Day-to-day management is handled by Smith Square Trading Ltd., a subsidiary of the Centre for Social Justice.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants (??2,000 - ??10,000)

  • Single-year grants for core costs, salaries, running costs, and project costs
  • Rolling basis applications throughout the year
  • Decision within 8 weeks
  • Available to organizations with annual income under ??250,000
  • Successful applicants can reapply for up to two additional consecutive years (maximum three years total)

Major Grants (??10,000 - ??100,000)

  • Single-year grants: ??10,000 - ??50,000
  • Multi-year grants: Maximum 3 years, not exceeding ??100,000 total (max ??50,000 in any single year)
  • Two-stage application process (Expression of Interest, then full application)
  • Decisions made quarterly (January, April, July, October)
  • Available to organizations with annual turnover up to ??500,000
  • Two-year waiting period after grant completion before reapplication

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports projects falling under three broad categories within the context of addressing deprivation:

Community Support

  • Community centres and village halls offering multi-generational activities
  • Schemes for young people struggling in mainstream education
  • Homework clubs and supplementary education for vulnerable individuals
  • Counselling services where statutory provision is insufficient
  • Youth clubs, detached youth work, after-school and holiday clubs
  • Support for NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training)
  • Community transport projects

Arts, Education and Heritage

  • Arts-based community initiatives
  • Educational programs for disadvantaged individuals
  • Heritage projects that strengthen local communities

Family Support (particularly for Major Grants)

  • Early intervention programs
  • Support for families coping with addiction
  • Prisoners' families
  • Initiatives that empower local people and foster inclusion

The Foundation specifically seeks to support charitable initiatives that strengthen local communities by empowering local people, bridging divides, building neighborhood connections, encouraging community participation, and fostering inclusion.

What They Don't Fund

Organizational Restrictions:

  • Individuals (directly or through third parties)
  • Charities or NGOs registered outside the UK
  • Statutory services including state schools, local/national authorities, prisons, NHS hospitals
  • Universities, further education colleges, and independent schools
  • Organizations with annual income/turnover over ??500,000
  • Grant-making organizations or umbrella organizations
  • Hospices
  • Organizations with primarily ecological aims
  • Newly established organizations with no previous annual accounts
  • Organizations that have filed annual returns late to the Charity Commission or Companies House within the past three years
  • Organizations without safeguarding policy reviews or formal safeguarding training within the past 12 months
  • Organizations holding more than 12 months' operating costs in reserves (unlikely to be funded)

Project Restrictions:

  • Capital projects
  • Applications for more than 50% of total project cost
  • Projects not starting within 1-2 months of award

Timing Restrictions:

  • Organizations that applied unsuccessfully within the previous 12 months
  • Multiple simultaneous applications (can only apply for one grant at a time)
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Governance and Leadership

Board Structure:

  • 11 Trustees who meet twice annually to determine general policy
  • Grants Committee meets quarterly (January, April, July, October) to award grants
  • Finance Committee meets quarterly to manage investments

Chairman: Olga Polizzi CBE, daughter of Lord Charles Forte, with extensive experience in the hospitality industry

Day-to-Day Management: Smith Square Trading Ltd., a subsidiary of the Centre for Social Justice

The Foundation's investment returns provide the annual grants budget of approximately ??2.5 million.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Before Applying:

  1. Complete the eligibility quiz on the Foundation's website
  2. Review the full Funding Guidelines and exclusions list
  3. Check IMD ranking for your area (must be in most deprived 15% for urban or 50% for rural)
  4. Review Application Guidance document

Small Grants:

  • Online application available year-round (rolling basis)
  • Single-stage application process
  • Must apply for a minimum of ??2,000
  • Cannot apply for more than 50% of total project cost
  • Grant paid once remaining 50% match funding is secured

Major Grants:

  • Two-stage process
  • Stage 1: Complete online Expression of Interest (EOI) form
  • Stage 2: If shortlisted, invited to submit full application
  • Applications considered at quarterly committee meetings

IMD Eligibility Requirements:

England, Scotland, and Wales:

  • Urban areas (population >10,000): Most deprived 15% of IMD
  • Rural areas (population <10,000): Most deprived 50% of IMD

Northern Ireland:

  • Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Portadown, Lurgan: Most deprived 15% of IMD
  • Rest of Northern Ireland: Most deprived 50% of IMD

If the majority of work takes place in qualifying areas, organizations can provide up to six representative postcodes from service delivery locations.

Decision Timeline

Small Grants:

  • Decision typically within 8 weeks of receipt

Major Grants:

  • Allow 12-15 weeks for entire two-stage process (may take longer)
  • Committee meetings in January, April, July, October
  • Example: April 2025 committee awarded ??532,747 to 7 organizations, plus ??87,979 to 9 organizations between January-April meetings

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation distributes approximately ??2.5 million annually across both grant programs to organizations throughout the UK.

Reapplication Policy

After Unsuccessful Application:

  • Must wait 12 months from the date of rejection letter before reapplying

After Successful Small Grant:

  • Can reapply for up to two additional consecutive years
  • Maximum of three grants total
  • No further applications accepted after completion of third grant

After Successful Major Grant:

  • Cannot reapply for two years after grant completion

General Rule:

  • Can only submit one application at a time (cannot apply for multiple costs simultaneously to same or different programs)

Application Success Factors

Track Record is Essential:

The Foundation only considers applications from organizations with at least one year of annual accounts demonstrating a “demonstrable track record of success.” This is a recurring phrase in their guidance???they want evidence of proven impact, not untested ideas.

Geographic Deprivation Alignment:

Ensure your organization's postcode or service delivery area meets the strict IMD requirements (most deprived 15% for urban, 50% for rural). The Foundation provides specific guidance for checking IMD rankings and allows flexibility if the majority of work occurs in qualifying areas.

Timing and Readiness:

“Beneficiaries of grants are expected to start spending within one to two months of the award.” Do not apply too far in advance???applications for projects with distant start dates are “very likely to be unsuccessful.”

Match Funding Required:

For Small Grants, demonstrate ability to secure the remaining 50% of project costs. The Foundation wants to see you're building a diverse funding portfolio rather than being over-reliant on any single funder.

Frontline Service Delivery:

The Foundation has a “preference for front line organisations working directly with people in need” rather than intermediaries or umbrella bodies. Emphasize direct service delivery and community connection.

Safeguarding is Non-Negotiable:

Organizations must have reviewed their safeguarding policy and held formal safeguarding training or refresher sessions within the past 12 months. This is a strict eligibility requirement.

Financial Management:

Trustees are “unlikely to fund organisations holding more than twelve months operating costs in reserves.” Demonstrate appropriate financial management without excessive reserves.

Project Examples They Fund:

  • Salary/running costs for community centres or village halls offering multi-generational activities
  • Support schemes for young people struggling in mainstream education
  • Counselling where statutory services cannot meet demand
  • Youth clubs, detached youth work, after-school and holiday clubs
  • Community transport in rural areas
  • Early intervention family support
  • Support for families affected by addiction or imprisonment

Language and Values:

The Foundation uses language emphasizing: “strengthening local communities,” “empowering local people,” “bridging divides,” “building neighbourhood connection,” “encouraging community participation,” and “fostering inclusion.” Frame your application using these community-focused terms.

Open Data Commitment:

The Foundation publishes all grants through the 360Giving data standard, demonstrating transparency. You can research similar funded organizations through their Grants Awarded page or the 360Giving GrantNav website.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Deprivation data is critical: Verify your IMD ranking before applying???this is a strict geographic requirement, not a preference. Urban areas must be in the most deprived 15%, rural in the most deprived 50%.
  • Demonstrate track record: The Foundation repeatedly emphasizes “demonstrable track record of success.” Include concrete evidence of past achievements, outcomes, and impact rather than aspirational plans.
  • Apply at the right time: Only apply when you're ready to start spending within 1-2 months of receiving the award. Early applications for future projects will likely fail.
  • Build funding diversity: The Foundation explicitly wants you to create “a broad portfolio of funders” rather than over-relying on Trusthouse/Forte. Show other secured or prospective funders.
  • Frontline focus wins: Emphasize direct service delivery to people in need rather than infrastructure, capacity building, or intermediary work. They want to fund organizations at the coalface.
  • Use their language: Frame your work around “strengthening local communities,” “empowering local people,” “bridging divides,” “fostering inclusion,” and addressing “causes of deprivation.”
  • Safeguarding is mandatory: Ensure your safeguarding policies and training are current (within 12 months) before applying???this is a hard eligibility requirement that can disqualify otherwise strong applications.

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