May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust

Could May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants
£1,000 – £10,000
Where they fund
South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire
Applications
Accepted
How to apply
Email application
Decisions
Quarterly

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk

About May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust

The May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust was established in 1992 by the will of the late Mrs May Hearnshaw with an expendable endowment. Its core mission focuses on promoting education, advancing religion, and relieving poverty and sickness. Guided by a cautious, traditional philosophy emphasising public benefit, stewardship, and reliable impact, the Trust supports UK charitable work at trustees' discretion. It prioritises national UK-wide charities or those with a principal presence in South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, East Lancashire, and Cheshire, reflecting the founder's legacy of community responsibility in these northern and central regions.

What May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust funds

The Trust funds education initiatives, religious activities such as church maintenance and faith-based programmes, and poverty and sickness relief including hospices, vulnerable children and adults, disability groups, family hardship, and historic religious heritage. Geographically, it supports work across the United Kingdom but with a strong preference for charities operating in South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, East Lancashire, and Cheshire. The Trust makes one-off grants for core costs, projects, and capital needs, focusing on disadvantage alleviation and religious advancement.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are established UK-registered charities; individuals and new groups are not considered. The Trust prefers small to medium-sized charities with robust governance and a principal presence in its priority regions of South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, East Lancashire, and Cheshire. There are no formal income limits, but modest local organisations are favoured. The Trust does not impose religious restrictions on beneficiaries.

What May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not provide multi-year grants or unrestricted core funding. It also does not fund individuals, non-registered charities, or new groups without a track record.

How they like to fund

The Trust makes one-off grants for core costs, projects, and capital needs. It favours charities with proven track records over those with high publicity. Approaches are welcomed, and the Trust's funding style is cautious and focused on reliable impact.

How much does May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust give?

£1,000 – £10,000

Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction
Focus areas
EducationFaithPoverty & hardship

How to apply to May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust

May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust takes applications via email application.

  • Decisions are typically quarterly.
  • Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

How it works

  1. 1
    Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
  2. 2
    See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
  3. 3
    Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust on the charity register

Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as MAY HEARNSHAW CHARITABLE TRUST, charity number 1008638.

Latest annual income
£101,365
Latest annual spending
£102,394
Financial year end
April 2025

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust provide?

May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £1,000 - £10,000.

Where does May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust fund charities?

May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust funds charities operating in South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire.

Does May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?

May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

How do I apply for funding from May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust?

May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust takes applications via email application. Decisions are typically quarterly.

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Could May Hearnshaw Charitable Trust be a fit?

Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.