Elmgrant Trust
Could Elmgrant Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Where they fund
- South West England (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, excluding Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset)
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Letter of inquiry first
- Decisions
- Quarterly
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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elmgrant.org.ukAbout Elmgrant Trust
The Elmgrant Trust is a family-founded grant-making trust supporting grassroots community life, arts and education across the South West of England. Established in 1936 by Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst and Beatrice, the Trust carries forward the Dartington Hall ethos of rural regeneration through creative endeavour, lifelong learning and inclusive participation. They favour small-scale, local initiatives that empower communities, build resilience and sustain voluntary effort. The Trust is shaped by a progressive, place-based legacy and a hands-on, local approach to giving, with a particular focus on the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.
What Elmgrant Trust funds
The Trust funds arts and culture, community development, and education and skills. For organisations, they support core costs and project delivery in the arts and community development, favouring grassroots initiatives that enrich local life. For individuals, they fund training and equipment that supports further education to improve job prospects. All funded work must take place in the South West of England, specifically Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, excluding Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset.
Who can apply
Both registered charities and community groups based in the South West of England (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, excluding Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset) can apply for organisation grants. Individuals who are further educating themselves to improve their job prospects, with a clear compassionate need, may apply for individual grants. The Trust prioritises small-scale, local initiatives and does not fund large-scale national organisations.
What Elmgrant Trust doesn't fund
The Trust does not fund faith-based work, animal-related causes, general appeals or circulars, grants to individuals for postgraduate study or related expenses, second and subsequent degrees, overseas student grants, expeditions, travel and study projects overseas, individual travel, large-scale national organisations, research, or retrospective funding. Applications from recipients of grants are not considered again within a two-year period.
How they like to fund
The Trust provides one-off grants, as they are unable to provide ongoing funding. They welcome unsolicited applications and aim to respond to every application with a decision of being short-listed or not within six weeks. The board of trustees meet three times a year to consider applications.
How much does Elmgrant Trust give?
Elmgrant Trust runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 33 sourced facts
- Apply by letter
- Next deadline 24 September 2026
- 3 rounds a year
- Decisions in ~6 weeks
- Single-year grants
- Apply by letter
- Next deadline 24 September 2026
- 3 rounds a year
- Decisions in ~6 weeks
- Single-year grants
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Elmgrant Trust funds — and what they won't
Individuals who are further educating themselves to improve their job prospects with a clear compassionate need. Average grants can be up to £1,000 for individuals under 18 and possibly up to £3,000 for individuals over 18.
The full exclusions list (10)
- General appeals or circulars
- Grants to individuals for postgraduate study or related expenses
- Grants for second and subsequent degrees
- Overseas student grants
- Expeditions, travel and study projects overseas
- Individual travel
- Large-scale national organisations
- We rarely fund research
- Retrospective funding
- Applications from recipients of grants are not considered again within a two-year period
Good to know
How to apply to Elmgrant Trust
Elmgrant Trust takes applications via letter of inquiry first.
- Published programme route: apply by letter.
- Decisions are typically quarterly.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Elmgrant Trust's application asks
We hold the 14 questions from Elmgrant Trust's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“An outline of your Aims”
“Full contact details: Name, address, email address, telephone number”
12 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Elmgrant Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Elmgrant Trust provide?
Elmgrant Trust runs 2 grant programmes — Individual Grants: Up to £3,000 · Organisation Grants: Typically £550.
Where does Elmgrant Trust fund charities?
Elmgrant Trust funds charities operating in South West England (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, excluding Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset).
Does Elmgrant Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Elmgrant Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Elmgrant Trust not fund?
Their published exclusions include: General appeals or circulars; Grants to individuals for postgraduate study or related expenses; Grants for second and subsequent degrees; Overseas student grants; Expeditions, travel and study projects overseas. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Elmgrant Trust?
Elmgrant Trust takes applications via letter of inquiry first. Published programme route: apply by letter.
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Could Elmgrant Trust be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.