Sir George Martin Trust

Sir George Martin Trust Grants

Flexible, one-off grants of £1,000-£5,000 (most commonly £3,000-£4,000) for running, capital and project costs, for West Yorkshire-based registered charities and CIOs with income under £1 million that support economically and socially disadvantaged people in West Yorkshire. Applications use a two-stage process: a brief Expression of Interest on the Trust's SmartyGrants portal, then a full application by invitation of the Trust Manager. EOIs are now open for the trustees' meetings in early February and early June 2027; the Trust expects the February meeting to reach capacity by mid-November 2026.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £1,000 – £5,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Moderate; full application with documents

Who can apply

Registered charities and CIOs (including charitable companies) with a Charity Commission number whose head office or Charity Commission main administration address is in West Yorkshire, working predominantly with West Yorkshire residents (Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield districts)
They must deliver support and/or activities benefiting people who are economically AND socially disadvantaged, have income under £1 million in their last financial year's accounts, and be committed to a safe culture for staff, volunteers and beneficiaries
Churches are only considered if they are a registered charity (from 3 June 2026)
Unregistered community groups, CICs, Community Benefit Societies, Co-operative Societies, schools, nurseries and playgroups cannot apply
Multi-year grants (invitation only) target charities with income around £100,000 or less, including newer charities with at least their first year's annual accounts

What it funds

Running (core), capital and project costs where the primary objective is to improve the well-being of economically and socially disadvantaged West Yorkshire people. Supported areas:

Children and young people
Community centres and village halls in disadvantaged areas
Countryside, environment and green issues involving people in local disadvantaged communities
Faith-based charities providing local community outreach (activities open to all, not promoting religion)
Food provision projects (e.g. food pantries, food banks with support, food education/cookery skills, 'pay as you feel' cafes)
LGBTQ+ communities
Mental well-being
Music, the arts and heritage involving people in local disadvantaged communities
Older people
People with physical and learning disabilities
Social welfare
Sports for disadvantaged communities

Grants are generally one-off (£1,000-£5,000, £3,000-£4,000 most common).

A few multi-year grants go to charities with income of around £100,000 or less, by invitation only.

What it will not fund

Voluntary and community groups that are not registered charities with a Charity Commission number
CICs and social enterprises
Community Benefit Societies and Co-operative Societies
Charities with income over £1 million (based on the last year's annual accounts)
Churches or religious buildings/institutions which aren't a registered charity (from 3 June 2026)
National charities, or charities whose head office or Charity Commission main administration address is not in West Yorkshire
Appeals not focused on West Yorkshire
Individuals
Applications from overseas, and overseas seminars or exchange visits by individuals or groups
Medical appeals of a capital or revenue nature
Medical research projects
Playgroups, nurseries and pre-schools
Schools
Church restoration schemes such as church roofs and spires
Repeat grants to the same charity within one year (repeat applicants should wait 12 months from receiving a grant; usually no more than three consecutive grants)

How to apply

Check the criteria on the Home and Who We Give To pages and review the case studies; optionally email or call the Trust Manager, Carla Marshall (info@sirgeorgemartintrust.org.uk, 07967 321594), first
Set up an account on the SmartyGrants portal (sirgeorgemartintrust.smartygrants.co.uk/SGMTGrant) and complete the brief Expression of Interest form about your organisation, its work, financial position, and when and what the grant is for
The Trust Manager replies, may ask a few more questions, and says whether the trustees would consider a full application
New applicants have an in-person visit, Teams meeting or phone call with the Trust Manager, who gives guidance on making a strong application (Top Tips document available)
If invited, submit the full application on the SmartyGrants portal by the deadline the Trust Manager gives
The Trust Manager assesses the application and makes recommendations to the seven trustees, who decide
If awarded, confirm receipt of the grant and complete the End of Grant Report (Yorkshire Funders' Common Report Form) within 6-12 months

Trustees next meet in early February and early June 2027; EOIs are open now, and the February meeting is likely to reach capacity by mid-November 2026.

The full form follows the Yorkshire Common Application Form (YCAF); a PDF preview is on the How to Apply page. The Trust aims to fund around 50% of enquiries.

Have ready

Most recent audited/independently examined statement of accounts
Recent bank statement
Photos or other documents showing your work (optional)

Uploaded with the full application form, which is only available by invitation after the Expression of Interest.

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