GrantRadar

The Archer Trust

The Archer Trust grants

Grants of £1,000 to £5,000 for small UK charities that aid or support a defined group of disadvantaged or marginalised people, where a small amount will make a big difference. Most grants go to general funds. The Trust prefers charities working in areas of high unemployment and deprivation, that make good use of volunteers and have tapped local sources of wealth, and supports overseas work only through UK charities. Trustees meet twice a year, and unsuccessful applicants are not told.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£1,000 – £5,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Light
short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

  • Small UK registered charities for whom a grant of £1,000 to £5,000 will make a big difference, which in one way or another provide aid or support to a defined group of disadvantaged or marginalised people, are competently run with up-to-date accounts, and have made the effort to tap into local sources of wealth
  • The grant cannot be more than 10% of the charity's income, and charities holding cash above 9 months' expenditure are excluded
  • Preference for organisations working in areas of high unemployment and deprivation and those that make good use of volunteers
  • Charities of all faiths and ethnicities are supported; overseas projects only via UK charities
  • Local branches, affiliates and franchises of national brands are unlikely to be supported except in the very poorest areas

What it funds

  • General funds: the vast majority of grants are unrestricted, given towards general funds
  • In a limited number of cases, particular capital projects or particular parts of a charity's operation or spending
  • Projects in the UK, and overseas projects run through UK charities that can ensure the funds are well used

capital projects are a small proportion of grants, because the grant must make a significant difference at no more than £5,000

What it will not fund

  • Individuals (including GAP applicants)
  • Conservation, heritage and environmental projects
  • Conversions for disabled access
  • Charities supporting animals
  • Research
  • Evangelism
  • Umbrella charities
  • Hospices
  • Charities with cash balances in excess of 9 months' expenditure
  • Grants representing more than 10% of a charity's income
  • Local branches, affiliates and franchises of national brands, except in the very poorest areas (unlikely to be supported)
  • Multi-year commitments: the Trust does not commit to future grants

How to apply

  1. Complete the online eligibility check on the Grant Application page
  2. If the checker finds you eligible, the Trust contacts you with details of how to apply
  3. Submit your application, in any format you choose, attached as PDF, Word or Excel files no larger than 2.5MB: describe what you do, the project if it is not for general funds, who you are and whose lives are changed, and a brief summary of your finances not already in your public accounts
  4. You receive an automated acknowledgement; the Trust reviews applications within a couple of months and emails any questions
  5. Applications that pass initial review go to all trustees at the next half-yearly meeting

the Trust does not reply to unsuccessful applicants unless it needs more information. About 40% of eligible applications pass initial review and trustees approve about 60% of those

postal applications are accepted, but go through the online eligibility check first and include the email address you entered there; do not send a stamped addressed envelope or use special delivery or first class post

Have ready

  • Application (your own format) describing the charity and the project or general-funds need
  • Brief summary of finances and other relevant financial information not available from your public accounts

accounts and documents already on the Charity Commission website are not needed

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