The Sheldon Trust and The Field Family Charitable Trust Funding opportunities for donors and recipients

Alessandra Magri Trust Administrator and Grant Management Executive Church and Charities Team

The Sheldon and Field Family Charitable Trusts An Overview Established in 1965 and 1969 respectively by two separate couples who lived in the County of Warwick. These were wealthy people who were concerned about the well-being of the communities where they lived Both Trusts have the aim to alleviate poverty and distress within society. To this end they make grants to registered charities according to the following funding criteria: ST focuses on four defined areas: community projects (West Midland); special needs groups (i.e. disabled, refugees, SGBV victims, etc.) (West Midland); youth development (anywhere in the GB); and holidays for the disadvantaged (West Midland and London). FFCT focuses on disadvantaged/vulnerable youth and older people in West Midland and London, within the boundaries of the M25

The Sheldon and Field Family Charitable Trusts How the grant cycle works Each Trust has two funding cycles per year (July-September and January to March) prior to the meetings in October and April each year. Online application process is open and applications are received only through the online process The Trust Administrator assesses all applications ensuring the following: Content of the application is in line with the Trust’s criteria Supporting documents have been sent with the applications (Signed accounts, Budget related to the proposal, Job Description if funding request relates to covering the cost of a salary) Runs Due Diligence by checking status of charity through Charity Commission web site and by searching the internet. The accounts are scrutinised and any ‘unhealthy’ situation is highlighted (give examples) Rejects applications that do not meet the criteria Runs reports for Trustees with her recommendations The Trustees make the final decision which is then communicated to the applicants by the Administrator

The Sheldon and Field Family Charitable Trusts What works best from the applicant point of view? Read and understand the call for proposal / funding criteria of each donor Fill in all parts of application form Give as many details as possible – better more than less! Establish communication if/when needed When funding is received, understand all grant conditions (if any) and donor compliance Send due receipts to donors Send reports and give as many details as possible on the achievements, set backs, expected and unexpected results (Positive as well as Negative) Encourage the donors to visit the projects Be honest, transparent in all types of liaison and communication with the donor (example of charity recently visited in Birmingham)

THANK YOU Alessandra Magri amagri@pwwsolicitors.co.uk 020 7821 8211