The Whittlesey Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £144,812 (expenditure, year ending 31 December 2024)
• Total Income: £96,129 (year ending 31 December 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed at trustee meetings in February, May, and September
• Grant Range: Not specified - varies by fund and need
• Geographic Focus: Whittlesey Urban and Rural districts (including Eastrea, Coates, and Turves)

Contact Details

Address: Town Hall, 18 Market Street, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1BD

Phone: 01733 204517

Email: clerk@thewhittleseycharity.co.uk

Website: https://thewhittleseycharity.co.uk/

Charity Number: 1005069

Overview

The Whittlesey Charity is a living legacy of community generosity spanning over 400 years, established through gifts of land, property, and funds bestowed upon the town since the 17th century. The charity operates four distinct funds supporting Relief in Need, Education, Public Purposes, and Church initiatives. With nine trustees and total expenditure of £144,812 in 2024, the charity continues to support qualifying individuals, groups, and initiatives within the communities of Whittlesey, Eastrea, Coates, and Turves. Beyond grant-making, the charity manages community spaces including North and South Green and a meeting room at the Town Hall, available for community events and private hire. The charity emphasizes its deep-rooted commitment to preserving the town's legacy while meeting the evolving needs of local residents.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity operates four distinct funds:

• Relief in Need: Grants for individuals and families experiencing hardship or distress within the area of benefit
• Education Fund: Grants for people under 25 who are resident in the area and require financial assistance for educational purposes. Applications typically considered in February, May, and September; urgent cases may be fast-tracked
• Public Purposes Fund: Grants for community groups and initiatives that benefit inhabitants of the area of benefit (example: £6,000 donation to Whittlesey Sports Association for portable floodlights)
• Church Fund: Funded through a share of net income to support church-related initiatives

Priority Areas

• Educational advancement for young people under 25
• Relief of need, hardship, and distress for local residents
• Community initiatives and organizations serving the local area
• Provision of almshouses for persons in need
• Special benefits for schools substantially serving the area of benefit
• Charitable purposes benefiting inhabitants of Whittlesey, Eastrea, Coates, and Turves

What They Don't Fund

• Applications from individuals or organizations outside the urban and rural districts of Whittlesey (including Eastrea, Coates, and Turves)
• The charity explicitly states: "The area of benefit is limited to the urban & rural districts of Whittlesey, and applications from outside this district will perhaps not receive a reply"

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by a board of nine trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The charity has no employees earning over £60,000 and operates with volunteers committed to preserving the town's legacy. Applications are reviewed by trustees during regular meetings held three times per year.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Whittlesey Charity accepts applications through online application forms available on their website. There are separate application pathways:

• Individual Grant Application: For individuals requiring assistance
• Organisation Grant Application: For community groups and organizations

Applications can be submitted by:

• The individual requiring support
• An educational institution on behalf of a student
• A third party acting on behalf of someone in need

Complete the application form and submit it directly to the clerk for processing at clerk@thewhittleseycharity.co.uk.

Decision Timeline

Applications are usually considered in February, May, and September during regular trustee meetings. Urgent requests may receive expedited review outside of these standard meeting times.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly documented. Interested applicants should contact the clerk for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Based on the charity's stated priorities and requirements:

• Geographic eligibility is critical: The charity will not respond to ineligible applicants outside their defined area of benefit. Verify you reside in Whittlesey Urban or Rural districts (including Eastrea, Coates, and Turves) before applying.

• For education grants: The charity states that “while any grant is considered, the trustees would need to be satisfied that all alternative sources had been investigated.” Demonstrate that you have explored other funding options before applying.

• Age requirements for education grants: Must be under 25 years of age to qualify for educational grants.

• Community benefit: For organizational grants, clearly demonstrate how your project will benefit the inhabitants of the area of benefit. The charity has a 400-year history of supporting community initiatives.

• Specific examples of funded projects: The charity donated £6,000 for portable floodlights to Whittlesey Sports Association, indicating support for community sports facilities and equipment that serves multiple beneficiaries.

• Timing matters: Submit applications well in advance of funding needs, as decisions are only made three times per year (February, May, September) unless the case is genuinely urgent.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Strict geographic boundaries: Only residents and organizations within Whittlesey Urban/Rural districts (including Eastrea, Coates, and Turves) are eligible - applications from outside this area will not receive replies
• Multiple funding streams available: Four distinct funds mean various types of projects can be supported - identify the most relevant fund for your application
• Demonstrate exhausted alternatives: Particularly for education grants, trustees expect applicants to have investigated all other funding sources first
• Three annual decision points: Plan ahead for February, May, or September trustee meetings unless your need is genuinely urgent
• Long-standing community commitment: This 400-year-old charity values projects that preserve community legacy while meeting evolving local needs
• Separate application processes: Different forms for individual versus organizational applications - use the correct pathway
• Community infrastructure supported: The charity supports both grants and community spaces, showing commitment to holistic community development

References

• The Whittlesey Charity official website: https://thewhittleseycharity.co.uk/ (Accessed 27 December 2025)
• Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Whittlesey Charity (1005069): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1005069 (Accessed 27 December 2025)
• Uni Grants - The Whittlesey Charity: http://unigrants.co.uk/grant/the-whittlesey-charity/ (Accessed 27 December 2025)
• OpenCharities - The Whittlesey Charity: http://opencharities.org/charities/1005069 (Accessed 27 December 2025)
• Peterborough Today - Sports teams benefit from equipment donations: https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/people/sports-teams-in-peterborough-and-whittlesey-benefit-from-equipment-donations-2855611 (Accessed 27 December 2025)