Zurich Community Trust (uk) Limited

Charity Number: 266983

Annual Expenditure: £1.9M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1.75 million - £2 million
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified (multi-year partnerships selected by employee vote)
  • Grant Range: £1,200 - £300,000+ (varies by programme)
  • Geographic Focus: National (UK), with regional programmes in Birmingham, Fareham, Farnborough, Gloucestershire, Glasgow, Leeds, and Swindon
  • Partnership Duration: 2 years (multi-year partnerships)
  • Current Partners: 55 regional + 3 national charities

Contact Details

Website: www.zct.org.uk

Email: laurie.deans@uk.zurich.com

Phone: 07875888722

Head of Trust: Laurie Deans (appointed March 2024)

Overview

Established in 1973, Zurich Community Trust (UK) Limited is the charitable arm of Zurich Insurance in the UK. The Trust has awarded over £100 million to causes across the UK and overseas since its founding. With annual grant distribution of approximately £1.75-£2 million, ZCT supports around 130,000 disadvantaged people each year through its unique employee-driven model. The Trust's mission is to help create a more inclusive and resilient society by supporting charities working with disadvantaged people to move from dependence to independence. ZCT distinguishes itself by not shying away from challenging social issues and by funding critical core costs that other funders often overlook. In recent years, the Trust has developed its signature “More Than Money” programme, offering comprehensive non-financial support alongside grant funding.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

National Partnerships Programme (selected, not open to application)

  • £300,000 per partnership over two years
  • Recent national partners: Magic Breakfast, Barnardo's, Dementia UK
  • £900,000 awarded to three national partners

Regional Partnerships Programme (employee-nominated)

  • £2 million awarded to 55 regional organisations (two-year partnerships)
  • Approximately £36,000 per regional partner over two years
  • Local budgets allocated for areas with significant Zurich employee presence

Employee and Financial Advisor Programme

  • Smaller grants for local charities (examples range from £1,200 to £25,000)
  • Funding raised through employee fundraising and matched by company
  • Rolling employee nomination process (biannual events)

Additional Support:

  • Cost-of-living crisis grants (£250,000 additional support provided to partners)
  • Sustainability grants for existing partners

Priority Areas

ZCT focuses on supporting disadvantaged people across six key areas:

  1. Poverty - including food poverty and financial hardship
  2. Isolation - supporting vulnerable people to build connections
  3. Mental health - counselling, support services, and wellbeing
  4. Dementia - support for those living with and caring for people with dementia
  5. Domestic abuse - services for survivors and families
  6. Homelessness - housing support and related services

Additional areas of support include:

  • Carers and caring responsibilities
  • Children and young people with special needs
  • Older people
  • People with disabilities
  • Employment and skills training for disadvantaged groups

What They Fund

  • Core costs and unrestricted funding - salaries, overheads, operational expenses
  • Project costs - specific programme delivery
  • Specific running costs - equipment, purchases
  • Staff development - training and wellbeing
  • Apprenticeships - funded positions within partner organisations

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not explicitly published, but the Trust's model indicates:

  • Major programmes are selected and not open to unsolicited applications
  • Charities must be working with disadvantaged people
  • Must be registered charities or voluntary organisations with charitable purposes
  • Geographic preference for areas with Zurich employee presence
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Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Laurie Deans - Head of ZCT (appointed March 2024)

  • Quote: "We are delighted to offer our support for a third consecutive year to Swindon Women's Aid. I love that we can offer certainty of income through our multi-year partnerships, as well as working closely with our partners as part of our 'More than Money' offering, to make an impact in our local communities."

Steve Grimmett - Former Head of ZCT (July 2019 - April 2024)

  • Quote: “I want charities to have a partnership with Zurich Community Trust – not just for the cash grants available but for all the additional offerings we are able to provide.”
  • Quote: "I'm incredibly proud of the current work we are doing building a non-financial package of support for all our charity partners to sit alongside our cash donations. Informed by an Advisory Council of 12 charity partners, we are constantly evolving our offering."

Staff Team

  • Lisa Walsh - ZCT Volunteer & Partnership Manager
  • Kerry Chambers - ZCT Fundraising Manager

Trustees

Board of trustees receives no remuneration, payments, or benefits. The Trust actively seeks diverse perspectives on its Board.

Advisory Council

An Advisory Council of 12 charity partners informs the development of ZCT's non-financial support programme, ensuring offerings meet actual sector needs.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: Zurich Community Trust operates a closed selection model. Major programmes are selected and not open to unsolicited applications.

Primary Route: Employee nomination

  • Charities are chosen through employee nomination at biannual events
  • Zurich employees nominate three charities they support
  • Selected charities receive two-year partnerships

Regional Programme:

  • Local budgets allocated for Birmingham, Fareham, Farnborough, Gloucestershire, Glasgow, Leeds, and Swindon
  • Must be within local catchment areas (e.g., 15-mile radius of Zurich offices)
  • Smaller grants available through employee-connected organisations

For Charities Seeking Support:

  • Build relationships with Zurich employees who can nominate your organisation
  • Focus on clear impact with disadvantaged people
  • Demonstrate how you help people move from dependence to independence
  • Visit www.zct.org.uk for current programme information

Decision Timeline

  • Partnership cycle: Two-year partnerships with reviews
  • Selection process: Biannual employee nomination events
  • Ongoing support: Regular catch-ups and quarterly Partnership Forum meetings throughout partnership

Success Rates

Success rates and application numbers are not published. The closed nomination model means only employee-nominated charities are considered. With 55 regional partners and 3 national partners currently supported, competition through the employee nomination route is selective.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust has supported some partners for over 10 years (example: The Growing Zone in Leeds), indicating that successful partnerships can be renewed. Partners describe receiving support “for a third consecutive year,” suggesting multi-cycle relationships are possible.

Application Success Factors

Partnership Over Transactions

Steve Grimmett emphasised: “I want charities to have a partnership with Zurich Community Trust – not just for the cash grants available but for all the additional offerings we are able to provide.” This philosophy underpins ZCT's approach - they seek genuine partnerships, not one-off grants.

The “More Than Money” Advantage

All charity partners receive access to:

  • Funded apprenticeship positions
  • Employee and volunteer skills-based courses and webinars
  • Free access to Zurich's Personal Development and Wellbeing Learning Hub
  • DSC Funds Online platform membership
  • Online conferences and sector-specific training
  • Governance tools and resources
  • Employee volunteering time and expertise
  • Networking through quarterly Partnership Forums

What ZCT Values

Based on their funding patterns and leadership statements:

  1. Direct impact with disadvantaged people - clear beneficiary focus
  2. Moving people from dependence to independence - empowerment approach
  3. Tackling “challenging” social issues - willingness to fund overlooked areas
  4. Core costs transparency - honest about operational needs
  5. Long-term thinking - sustainability beyond the grant period
  6. Partnership mindset - willingness to engage beyond funding
  7. Employee connection - relevance to Zurich staff's community interests

Top Challenges They Help Solve

Through feedback from their Advisory Council and Partnership Forums, ZCT has identified charity partners' top three challenges:

  1. Retention and recruitment of staff
  2. Fundraising capacity and sustainability
  3. Training and development needs

Their support package specifically addresses these challenges.

Examples of Funded Organisations

  • Dementia UK - Admiral Nurses made 3,240 appointments in 2023
  • Magic Breakfast - tackling child hunger
  • Barnardo's - supporting vulnerable children
  • The Growing Zone (Leeds) - 10+ year partnership, employment for young adults with disabilities
  • Phoenix Enterprises - training and employment for adults with mental health issues (£5,000 grant)
  • Wiltshire Community Foundation - Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund (£25,000)
  • Shine Pinehurst youth club - outdoor heaters (£1,200)

Geographic Strategy

Focus areas with significant Zurich employee presence include Birmingham, Fareham, Farnborough, Gloucestershire, Glasgow, Leeds, and Swindon. Demonstrate local impact in these areas for regional programme consideration.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Employee Connection is Essential - ZCT's model relies on employee nominations. Building relationships with Zurich employees in your area is the primary route to funding. This is not a traditional open application process.
  1. Think Partnership, Not Grant - ZCT offers much more than money through their “More Than Money” programme. Emphasise your organisation's readiness to engage with training, volunteering, apprenticeships, and ongoing partnership forums rather than just seeking funding.
  1. Core Costs Are Welcome - Unlike many funders, ZCT explicitly funds “critical core costs” including salaries and overheads. Be transparent about operational needs rather than dressing up core costs as project expenses.
  1. Long-term Relationships Matter - With two-year partnerships and examples of 10+ year relationships, ZCT values sustained engagement. Demonstrate organisational stability and long-term vision rather than short-term project focus.
  1. Tackle “Challenging” Issues - ZCT prides itself on not shying away from difficult social issues that other funders overlook. If your work addresses stigmatised or underfunded areas within their six priority themes, emphasise this.
  1. Listen and Adapt - ZCT uses an Advisory Council of charity partners and Partnership Forums to shape their support. They value charities that engage in dialogue about sector needs. Show your willingness to participate in feedback and learning.
  1. Impact on Disadvantaged People - Centre your case around how you help disadvantaged people move from “dependence to independence.” This empowerment framing aligns with ZCT's core mission and will resonate with their employee nominators and decision-makers.

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References

  • Zurich Community Trust official website: www.zct.org.uk