Frequently Asked Questions

Open Fund Round 1: March 2020: 

In March 2020, there were 29 applicants and 11 of these were shortlisted to Stage 2. After visits to 10 shortlisted, 7 grants were made. 39% of applicants that met our eligibility criteria, received a grant. 

Open Fund Round 2: January 2022: 

In 2022, there were 26 applicants and 11 of these were shortlisted to Stage 2.  After visits to 11 of those shortlisted, 8 grants were made. 44% of applicants that met our eligibility criteria received a grant. 

Reasons for turning down:

The main reason applicants were rejected at Stage 1 was because they didn't meet our eligibility criteria - in the majority of cases this was either because annual incomes were above or below our guidance, or a significant proportion of their work was outside Lambeth or Southwark. 

For some applicants that were eligible, the reason for turning down was that they were not as strong as others around their organisations' vision and planning and we felt some aspects of their governance needed strengthening for Peter Minet Trust to award a large, unrestricted grant. 

'In recent years, our reflections, combined with the sobering realities brought to light by events such as the murder of George Floyd, the disproportionate impacts of Covid-19 on racially minoritised groups, and the global calls for racial justice, have further sharpened our focus. After months of careful consideration, learning and strategic planning, we have made the deliberate and important decision to direct our funding to Black-led organisations in Lambeth and Southwark'  Tracey Fletcher,  Chair. Read our full Chair's Message here.

By Black-led charities, we mean charities that are primarily led by Trustees and staff identifying as Black, African, Caribbean, Black British or Any Other Black, African or Caribbean background (more than half of Trustees and more than half of staff).

We recognise the diversity of individual identities and lived experiences and reflect on our language all the time - please email us if you have any reflections you'd like to share. 

By good governance we mean that:

you have at least 3 non-related Trustees or Directors on the Board (and also meet minimum requirements set out in your deed, constitution or governing structure)

you know your strengths and challenges

you have a vision for your organisation's future

you have appropriate policies in place including Safeguarding, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Conflict of Interest, reviewed in the last 12 month - and procedures for managing these

you have efficient financial and budget monitoring procedures, including a policy for agreeing pay

you have good decision-making and operational processes including regular board meetings

We know there are organisations that need support to develop good governance but, as a small funder, we don't currently have the resources to develop this with organisations. As a small funder awarding large unrestricted grants, we look for organisations with good governance in place already.

The Director reviews applications to check that they meet our eligibility criteria and then the Board and Director review the application form, annual accounts  and other information publicly available (like a website) contacting the organisation if something is not clear. The Trustees review all the applications at a Board meeting, looking at how they meet Peter Minet Trust's priorities outlined in our eligibility list. Trustees have a range of lived experience and professional experience, including with charities and voluntary groups. We then agree on a shortlist of organisations who are invited to complete a Stage 2 form, and a visit by a Board member and the Director is arranged. Final decisions are made at a second Board meeting with feedback given to applicants that are not awarded a grant. 

We are developing how we make decisions all the time and will share any changes here.