United Charities of Cambridge

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £359,681 (2024)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £20,000 (single year), up to £30,000 over 3 years
• Geographic Focus: City of Cambridge and surrounding 5km radius
• Application Method: Fixed deadline through Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed by panel after each deadline

Contact Details

Website: unitedcharitiesofcambridge.org

Email: uccsecretary6@gmail.com

Phone: 07739536802

For Grant Applications: Apply through Cambridgeshire Community Foundation at www.cambscf.org.uk/funds/cambridge-in-need/

Overview

United Charities of Cambridge (charity number 204640) was established by deed on 24 July 1970 to consolidate 14 separate historical charities dating back to the 17th century. The organisation manages properties and endowments left by local philanthropists including Thomas Hobson (originator of "Hobson's choice") and John Crane. In November 2023, the charity changed its name from Cambridge United Charities to United Charities of Cambridge and modernised its governance structure.

The charity has two main areas of work: providing almshouse accommodation for people in need within Cambridge and its surrounding area, and making grants to relieve poverty and support education of young people through the Cambridge in Need fund. The charity does not actively fundraise, instead focusing on careful stewardship of existing resources and funding philanthropic activities. Properties owned include almshouses in King Street and St Anthony's Walk, as well as the St Radegund pub in King Street.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Cambridge in Need Fund (administered in partnership with Cambridgeshire Community Foundation)

• Grant Amount: £5,000 minimum - £20,000 maximum in a single year, or up to £30,000 over 3 years
• Eligibility: Non-profit organisations working in the City of Cambridge and surrounding 5km radius
• Focus: Reducing financial need, hardship or distress of people in need
• Capital Costs: Considered
• Application: Through Cambridgeshire Community Foundation online portal

Cambridge Aid Support

• UCC continues to support Cambridge Aid with funding
• Cambridge Aid provides emergency grants to individuals in urgent need of basic items
• Referrals from Social Services, Citizens Advice Bureau, and Cambridge City Council
• Not open to applications

Priority Areas

Projects looked on more favourably demonstrate:

• Sustainable approaches to poverty reduction with long-term capacity and resilience
• Support for parents and children in need including early years education
• Support for disadvantaged and under-served groups
• Tangible outcomes that wouldn't be possible without this funding
• Organisations based in Cambridgeshire (local preference)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not documented, but the fund is significantly oversubscribed and focuses exclusively on organisations working to reduce financial need, hardship, or distress in the Cambridge area.

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Governance and Leadership

Board Structure:

• 8-12 voluntary trustees
• 6-10 co-opted trustees who are Cambridge citizens or residents of surrounding areas
• 2 nominated trustees appointed by Cambridge University
• Four-year term of office, renewable once

Leadership Positions (elected every two years):

• Chair
• Vice Chair
• Almshouse Trustee
• Treasurer

Chair of Trustees: Professor Helen Valentine

Professor Valentine stated: “Working with the Foundation has been beneficial and cost effective. The Grants Team are great to work with and share our values.”

Sub-Committees:

• Resources Sub-committee (typically chaired by Treasurer)
• Almshouse Sub-committee (typically chaired by Almshouse Trustee)

The board meets three times annually, with special meetings as needed. The Secretary to the Board of Trustees is the only paid position.

How to Apply to United Charities Of Cambridge

How to Apply

Applications for the Cambridge in Need fund are made through the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation online portal. Applicants should:

1. Review the full application guidance at www.cambscf.org.uk/funds/cambridge-in-need/
2. Submit applications through the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation online system
3. Ensure eligibility: organisation must be a registered charity or non-profit working in Cambridge city and surrounding 5km

Note: The fund was oversubscribed from the very first round of applications.

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed by panel of UCC trustees and Cambridgeshire Community Foundation Grants Team
• Panel meets regularly to review and score applications
• Trustees report outcomes to full UCC board
• Check Cambridgeshire Community Foundation website for current application deadlines

Success Rates

• Fund is significantly oversubscribed
• Across Cambridgeshire Community Foundation funds generally, approximately 1 in 2 applications receive funding
• Many projects do not receive the full amount requested
• Fund criteria refined after first round based on learnings

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies not publicly documented. Contact Cambridgeshire Community Foundation for guidance on reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Partnership Approach: UCC trustees chose to partner with Cambridgeshire Community Foundation to leverage their expertise about local charities, reduce risk of allocating funds inappropriately, and access established promotional channels while minimising administrative work.

Panel Assessment: Applications are reviewed collaboratively by UCC trustees and the Foundation's Grants Team. The panel discussion is described as “enjoyable but robust,” leading to sound decisions with expertise from both organisations.

Demonstrate Impact: Given the oversubscribed nature of the fund, applications should clearly show:

• How the funding creates unique, tangible outcomes not possible without this support
• Long-term organisational capacity and resilience
• Sustainable approaches rather than short-term fixes
• Direct benefit to Cambridge residents experiencing need, hardship, or distress

Local Connection: Being based in Cambridgeshire is a priority factor, as is demonstrating deep understanding of local needs in Cambridge.

Support for Vulnerable Groups: Priority is given to organisations supporting parents and children in need (including early years education) and disadvantaged/under-served groups.

Alignment with UCC Values: The Foundation's Grants Team shares UCC's values, suggesting applications should reflect commitment to careful stewardship and sustainable community support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Highly competitive fund: Oversubscribed from inception, so applications must be exceptionally strong and clearly demonstrate unique impact
• Local focus is essential: Must serve people in Cambridge city and surrounding 5km radius; local organisations prioritised
• Sustainability matters: Show long-term capacity and resilience, not just immediate need
• Partnership model: Applications reviewed by expert panel combining trustee oversight with professional grants expertise
• Flexible funding: Capital costs considered, and multi-year grants (up to 3 years, £30k total) available
• Historical mission: Organisation has 350+ years of combined history supporting Cambridge's poor and needy - align your application with this legacy of local philanthropy
• Plan ahead: Applications only open periodically; check Cambridgeshire Community Foundation website for deadlines

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
• The Evelyn Trust
• Huntingdon Freemen's Trust
• Rotary Club Of Cambridge Trust Fund
• The Hinchingbrooke Foundation
• The Whittlesey Charity
• Girton Town Charity
• The Connolly Foundation (uk) Limited
• The City And University Of Cambridge Masonic Charitable Trust
• Needham's Foundation

References

• United Charities of Cambridge official website: https://unitedcharitiesofcambridge.org/
• Cambridge in Need fund page, Cambridgeshire Community Foundation: https://www.cambscf.org.uk/funds/cambridge-in-need/
• Case study: “Setting up the Cambridge In Need fund,” Cambridgeshire Community Foundation: https://www.cambscf.org.uk/case-studies/cambridge-in-need/
• UK Charity Commission Register, charity number 204640: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_regId=204640
• History page, United Charities of Cambridge: https://unitedcharitiesofcambridge.org/history/
• Governance page, United Charities of Cambridge: https://unitedcharitiesofcambridge.org/governance/
• Quote from Professor Helen Valentine, Chair of Trustees, from Cambridgeshire Community Foundation case study