Does your organisation, group or club need financial support?

Do you have a viable business that’s struggling because of unforeseen circumstances?

Do you want to train or re-train for work but can’t find the funds?

Cheshire Rural Trust could be able to help through a grant of up to £2,000 for individuals and £5,000 for groups.

Who does the Trust help?

Since its formation the Trust has already given more than £80,000 to over 40 groups and individuals to help support community programmes and to provide relief in time of acute financial hardship.

This support has involved providing funds towards:

• community rooms
• lunch club for the elderly
• renovation of a scout hut and other meeting places
• a young people’s programme to tackle rural crime
• cases of individual hardship to help farmers with viable businesses overcome major short term problems

The strength of Cheshire Rural Trust is that it makes decisions quickly so can consider and approve small grants and get money to where it’s needed most in a short space of time.

Who can apply?

The Trust’s objectives are to provide financial support for charitable purposes which help towards:

• relief of poverty
• advancement of education, including training or retraining for work
• promotion of physical and mental good health
• promotion of agriculture and other industry for public benefit
• relief of unemployment including assistance to find employment

The Trust’s grants are for the benefit of the inhabitants of rural communities, villages and small or market towns in Cheshire and the immediate border areas. It is particularly keen to support projects and activities which encourage community involvement and participation.

Grants for individuals are designed to provide immediate financial relief in times of dire hardship and support for farms and rural businesses.

Should I apply?

If you live or work in Cheshire and have a project or activity which meets the objectives of the Trust you should consider applying.

The Trust may also consider grants from groups and individuals within 5 miles of the Cheshire border if their project predominantly benefits the people of Cheshire.

The aim of the grants is to support individuals and organisations in need of funding for community-centred charitable initiatives so it is unlikely to fund applications from:

• statutory agencies
• projects likely to be funded by statutory agencies
• projects promoting political or religious beliefs
• projects with an annual turnover exceeding £50,000 or
• where the provision of grants is likely to interfere with state benefits.

How do I apply?

If you think your project meets our objectives, all you need to do is print off a copy of the application form (organisation) or application form (individual / sole trader) and guidance notes (organisation only), fill it in and return it to us at the address below.

Alternatively call us on 01565 650200 and we’ll post the application pack to you.

Cheshire Rural Trust
Clay House Farm
Flittogate Lane
Tabley
Knutsford WA16 0HJ

If you have any queries or need more advice please call us on 01565 650200.

General Information

The maximum grant available is £5,000 for group projects/activities. In order for an application to succeed the applicant must demonstrate:

1) Need in terms of both the project and the grant
2) A degree of community involvement / support / benefit.

The maximum grant available for an individual is £2,000. This is aimed at:

1) Those suffering from financial hardship
2) Potential for providing wider community benefit.

Grant applications that are unlikely to be funded

1) Applications from statutory agencies
2) Projects likely to be funded by statutory agencies
3) Projects promoting political or religious beliefs
4) Projects from groups with an annual turnover exceeding £50,000 pa
5) Where provision of a grant is likely to interfere with state benefits.

Helping Cheshire People to Help Cheshire People