Sixteen frequently asked questions
Plain answers from the trustees. If your question is not here, write to the Clerk.
We update these answers each January. They are written by the trustees rather than the Clerk — we want you to have the answer we would give you in person.
Who is eligible to apply for a grant?
Households resident in the parishes of St Martin's and St Edmund's, Salisbury, who are referred to us by one of our named partner organisations. We very occasionally accept direct applications, but they are easier if there is a referrer who knows your situation.
How do I apply?
Through one of our named referrers — Salisbury Citizens Advice, the parish team at St Martin's or St Edmund's, a school welfare officer, Salisbury Foodbank, Wiltshire Council adult social care, or Alabaré. They will fill in a one-page form and send it to our Clerk. The trustees take it from there.
How long does a grant decision take?
Median time from referral to payment was six working days in the 2025–26 First Frost winter. Cases that come up between meetings can be approved by the Chair under a standing delegation of authority for up to £300; larger cases wait for the second Wednesday of the month.
How much do you typically grant?
Between £18 (the smallest individual grant in 2024–25) and £640 (the largest). The average was £138. The First Frost grant range is £80–£240; Quiet Quarter grants run from £50–£500.
Do you fund organisations or only individuals?
Both, in small ways. Our standing institutional grants are to Trinity Hospital, Salisbury (£4,000/year), and to the Vestry Pantry at St Martin's (£4,800/year). We do not run an open application process for organisational grants.
Are you religious?
The Charity is rooted in the parish system of the Church of England — our 1701 governing scheme is framed around two named parishes — but it makes grants without religious test of any kind. The trustees include people who are church-going and people who are not. The Charity is open to all residents of the two parishes, of any faith or none.
Can I leave you a bequest?
Yes, and we are quietly grateful for them. Roughly half of our 1980s and 1990s donations came as bequests. Our registered charity number for legacy purposes is 220019. Speak to your solicitor; the language you need is on our resources page, or write to the Chair for an unhurried conversation.
How do I volunteer?
Read the role descriptions on our volunteer page first — they are detailed and there is no point in either of us starting a conversation if the commitment does not fit your life. If a role does fit, write to the Clerk through the enquiry form. We will reply within five working days. Note that for most roles we have a small waiting list.
Do you do tax-efficient giving (Gift Aid)?
Yes. If you are a UK taxpayer and tick the Gift Aid box, we recover an extra 25p for every £1 you give. Our Treasurer files a Gift Aid claim with HMRC each January. The declaration form is on our resources page if you would like to fill it in on paper.
Where do my donations actually go?
Ninety-six pence in the pound passed through to households or to Trinity Hospital in 2024–25. The other four pence covered the Clerk's part-time stipend, the quarterly printed letter (set in Caslon in Wilton), postage, and the bound minute book. Our annual report on the reports page has the full breakdown.
Are you regulated?
Yes. By the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Our register entry is at register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/220019. We file annual accounts on time every year; the most recent filing is to 30 September 2025.
Why are you so small?
Our endowment is small. We grant from income, very rarely from capital. We have chosen, for several generations, not to chase scale; we have chosen instead to know our two parishes thoroughly. There are many larger charities in Salisbury. We are not in competition with them.
Why don't you advertise your help?
Because we want introductions, not applications. A referral from a parish priest, school welfare officer, or CAB caseworker means that someone who knows the household has already thought about the case. That sense-check has been part of our method since at least 1832.
Can I visit you?
Yes, by appointment. Our office hours are Mon–Fri 09.00–17.00 at St Martin's Church House on St Martin's Church Street. Please give the Clerk a day or two of warning so we can have a cup of tea ready. Our doors are also open at the events listed on the events page.
Do you protect my data?
Yes. We keep only the data we need. We do not sell, share or swap donor information. The full privacy notice — written in plain English — is on our privacy page. If you have any concerns, write to the Clerk; you can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.
Where is your archive?
Our trustees' minute books — running from 1701 — are kept in the fireproof cabinet at St Martin's Church House. A copy of John Fricker's will (proved 1701) is held by the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in Chippenham. Both are open to readers by appointment.
If your question is not here, write to the Clerk. Three working days for a reply.
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