Torbay Community Development Trust

Charity Number: 1140896

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £2.25 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 2-6 weeks (varies by programme)
  • Grant Range: £25 - £40,000 (depending on programme)
  • Geographic Focus: Torbay, Devon
  • Organizations Supported: 300+ since 2013

Contact Details

Website: www.torbaycommunities.com (note: www.TorbayCDT.org.uk redirects here)

Email: info@TorbayCDT.org.uk

Phone: 01803 212638

Address: 4-8 Temperance Street, Torquay, TQ2 5PU

Community Funding Advisor: Available for pre-application support via email

Overview

Torbay Community Development Trust, now branded as Torbay Communities, was established in 2014 following the closure of CVA Torbay in 2013. The organization was founded after extensive consultation with over 100 voluntary sector representatives with a mission to make Torbay “a place where all people feel included.” Operating as an umbrella organization, Torbay Communities supports the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across Torbay through grant administration, capacity building, volunteering support, and community development initiatives. With annual income of £2.25 million and a team of 51 employees supported by 736 volunteers, the organization administers multiple grant programmes on behalf of Torbay Council. Since 2013, Torbay Communities has successfully supported over 300 local groups across diverse sectors including carers, women's groups, garden projects, homeless support, theatre projects, sports clubs, and faith-based initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Torbay Communities administers two main grant programmes funded by Torbay Council:

1. Torbay Council Community Fund

  • Amount: £25 - £400 (increased from previous £300 maximum)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly panels
  • Timeline: Applications reviewed at panel meetings; decisions within 2-3 weeks
  • Focus: Small community-led projects

2. Torbay Community Grant Fund

  • Amount: Up to £40,000 (exceptional cases may receive more)
  • Application Method: Annual application rounds with fixed deadlines
  • Timeline: Panel decision within 6 weeks; payment within 12 weeks
  • Focus: Capital projects primarily; up to 25% available for revenue funding
  • Note: One application per organization per year

3. Torbay Community Investment Fund

  • Amount: Three bands of grant awards (specific amounts vary)
  • Application Method: Periodic funding rounds
  • Focus: Health and wellbeing projects, loneliness reduction, VCSE sector development

Priority Areas

Torbay Council Community Fund priorities:

  • Improving health and wellbeing
  • Developing arts, culture and experience of Torbay
  • Improving the local environment
  • Supporting positive ageing and community cohesion
  • Improving children and young people's experiences in Torbay

Torbay Community Grant Fund priorities:

Projects must align with at least one of these strategic themes:

  • Community and People
  • Pride in Place
  • Economic Growth

Geographic priority: Focus on Torbay's most deprived areas (excluding Torquay, which receives major funding through other programmes)

What They Don't Fund

Ineligible organizations:

  • Religious or political lobbying groups
  • Organizations operating outside Torbay boundaries
  • Individuals
  • Profit-distributing organizations
  • Groups without established management committee/board
  • Unconstituted groups (for larger grants)

Ineligible costs:

  • Salary and wage costs (Community Fund)
  • Retrospective expenses
  • Structural purchases
  • Day-to-day operational costs
  • Previous projects already funded (cannot reapply for same/similar project)
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (2025)

  • Joanna Nicola Colin - Chair of Trustees
  • Katie Louise Chivers - Trustee
  • Roger John Higman - Trustee
  • Angie Michelle Manning - Trustee
  • Sarah Jane Ellender Martin - Trustee
  • Matthew William Newbury - Trustee
  • James William Parker - Director/Editor

The organization operates with 7 trustees, 51 employees, and 736 volunteers. The organization follows the guiding philosophy expressed in Margaret Mead's quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Torbay Council Community Fund:

  1. Download Word application form from torbaycommunities.com
  2. Read guidance and terms/conditions carefully
  3. Complete application form (£25-£400)
  4. Email completed form to specified address
  5. Optional: Attend online briefing session or contact Community Funding Advisor for support

Torbay Community Grant Fund:

  1. Check eligibility against policy document
  2. Prepare application addressing strategic themes
  3. Submit via online portal or email (check current deadlines)
  4. One application per organization per year

Decision Timeline

Community Fund:

  • Application deadline: Quarterly (e.g., mid-October deadline)
  • Panel meeting: Typically 1-2 weeks after deadline
  • Notification: Within 2-3 weeks of panel meeting
  • Project start: Must begin within one month of award
  • Project completion: Within six months

Community Grant Fund:

  • Application deadline: Annual (e.g., late July)
  • Panel decision: Within 6 weeks
  • Payment: Within 12 weeks of approval
  • Decision makers: Panel of Chief Executive and Director of Finance, with recommendations to Cabinet

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. However, the organization has funded over 300 groups since 2013, demonstrating consistent grant-making activity. Priority is given to:

  • New groups with community-driven ideas
  • Groups not funded in the past 12 months
  • Small organizations with less than £50,000 annual turnover
  • Projects benefiting underserved communities

Reapplication Policy

Community Fund: Previous successful applicants can apply again, but NOT for the same or a similar project previously funded. There is priority for groups that have not been funded in the past 12 months.

Community Grant Fund: Organizations can only submit one application per year.

Application Success Factors

Key Advice from the Funder

  1. Focus on community benefit: “Schemes should benefit a group of people rather than just one individual”
  2. Be specific: “The project should be specific and not for general funds”
  3. Seek pre-application support: Contact the Community Funding Advisor for help with applications
  4. Attend briefings: Take advantage of online information sessions before applying
  5. Read guidance carefully: Review all terms, conditions, and policy documents before applying

Recently Funded Projects

Successful applications have included:

  • Torbay Coastwatch - community safety monitoring
  • Men's Health Group - wellbeing activities
  • Feed a Child - food poverty initiatives
  • Cycle Torbay - cycling promotion and access
  • Imagine Torbay Multicultural Group - diversity and inclusion
  • Autistic After Hours - autism support services
  • Rowcroft Hospice Beekeeping Group - therapeutic activities
  • Brixham Admiral Swim Company - swimming access
  • Sound Communities CIC - oral history collection and website creation (£3,870 heritage grant)
  • Winner Street Living History Museum - community heritage activities
  • Shoalstone Seawater Pool Heritage Project - interpretive panels
  • Play Torbay - environmental GeoPark Gateway installation

Standing Out

  • Asset-Based Community Development approach: Emphasize how your project builds on existing community strengths and skills
  • Community involvement: Demonstrate genuine community-led decision-making and local engagement
  • Strategic alignment: Clearly link your project to Council strategic themes
  • Long-term benefits: For revenue funding, show how services will create lasting community impact
  • Diverse beneficiaries: Projects supporting underserved or disadvantaged communities receive priority
  • Collaboration: Partnerships with other VCSE organizations strengthen applications

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Understand the funder's role: Torbay Communities administers grants on behalf of Torbay Council - ensure alignment with Council strategic priorities (Community and People, Pride in Place, Economic Growth)
  1. Choose the right programme: Small projects under £400 suit the Community Fund; larger capital projects up to £40,000 suit the Community Grant Fund
  1. Geographic focus matters: Projects in Torbay's most deprived areas (outside Torquay) receive priority for larger grants
  1. Constitution required: For larger grants, organizations must be formally constituted with a bank account requiring at least 2 unrelated signatories
  1. Timing restrictions: Can't reapply for the same/similar project previously funded; priority for those not funded in past 12 months; only one application per year for larger grants
  1. Use support services: Take advantage of the Community Funding Advisor and online briefings - demonstrating preparation strengthens applications
  1. Capital over revenue: Capital projects (equipment, buildings, assets) are prioritized; revenue funding limited to 25% of total fund and must show long-term benefits

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