J N Derbyshire Trust

The J N Derbyshire Trust, established in September 1944 by Nottingham accountant Job Nightingale Derbyshire, is a longstanding grant-making charity dedicated to enhancing social improvement and community wellbeing in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Governed by three Derbyshire family members and three local professionals, it upholds the founder's vision through pragmatic, stewardship-focused philanthropy, prioritizing projects that promote health (physical, mental, and disability support), physical improvements, education advancement, and relief from poverty, distress, and sickness. Its ethos emphasizes tangible, grassroots benefits for vulnerable residents via local community and voluntary groups.

The Trust funds project costs for initiatives delivering direct impact, such as health promotion, disability services, educational access, and poverty relief efforts targeting underserved Nottinghamshire populations. It supports practical interventions by small to medium not-for-profits, favoring community-led solutions with evident local benefits.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, CICs, or CIOs with income under £1 million, providing the last two years' accounts; there are no geographic base restrictions for the organization itself, but projects must exclusively benefit Nottingham and Nottinghamshire residents. Unsolicited applications are welcomed via online portal registration, with biannual deadlines of 31 January (March meeting) and 31 August (October meeting); decisions follow within 4-8 weeks.

Typical grants range from £350 to £10,000, focusing on sustainable, place-based change. Exclusions include individuals, national charities over £1 million income, and projects outside Nottinghamshire. Distinctive for its intergenerational family oversight, strict local focus, and consistent support for frontline community interventions, the Trust stands out as a reliable partner for Nottinghamshire-aligned causes rooted in enduring local need.