Stratford-Upon-Avon Town Trust

Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust is an endowed grant-giving charity with roots in 13th-century medieval estates, reformed as an independent entity in the early 2000s after separation from the local council. Its mission is to enhance quality of life for those living, working, or studying in Stratford-upon-Avon through targeted community investment, guided by values of inclusivity, empathy, respect, professionalism, and ethics. Distinctive for its participatory, empowering approach, the Trust emphasizes community listening, transparent partnerships, diversity, and data-driven decisions, while stewarding historic assets like green spaces and venues to foster placemaking and integrated social, cultural, and environmental wellbeing.

It funds hyper-local projects addressing mental and physical health (e.g., abuse survivor support, isolation relief), youth opportunities and education, poverty alleviation (fuel poverty, debt), social inclusion (loneliness, digital exclusion for elderly), and community cohesion via youth clubs, arts, dementia groups, and events. Grant types include project funding, core costs, capital works, equipment, seed funding, organisational development, and small-scale individual hardship aid, prioritising measurable impact, local involvement, and alignment with annual themes.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, community groups, schools, and academic institutions that are formally constituted with good governance and a dedicated bank account; no income thresholds apply, welcoming grassroots to mid-sized entities. Funding is strictly limited to direct benefits within Stratford-upon-Avon town boundaries, verified by postcode checkers—no geographic base restriction for applicants, but hyper-local impact required.

Typical grants range £5,000–£25,000 (small up to £2,000 rolling; large £2,000+ up to £50,000+), with ~£1m awarded annually. Unsolicited applications via Stage 1 EOI (email to applications@stratfordtowntrust.co.uk), then full for large grants (next deadline 5 September 2025); small grants rolling with quick decisions. Weekly drop-in advice Wednesdays; no religious restrictions, but excludes non-local or non-community benefits.