Balsall Common Lions Club Charitable Trust Fund
Charity 1078401
http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/balsall/
Overview
Summary
Balsall Common Lions Club Charitable Trust Fund appears to function as a locally rooted civic grantmaker and convenor rather than a narrowly specialised charity. Its model combines volunteer-led fundraising, public events and practical service with redistribution to individuals, local groups and selected wider appeals. The evidence suggests that its distinctive value lies in connecting businesses, clubs, volunteers and residents around visible community occasions, then converting those relationships into flexible support for a broad range of causes.
Operational geography
Coverage: Neighbourhood
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- There is no sufficiently current evidence that the Charitable Trust Fund itself operates from, delivers services in, or maintains a material partnership in any Birmingham ward or the City Centre.
- The club website records historical volunteering and a donation involving SIFA Fireside, described as a Birmingham homeless-services project, but the surrounding website content is dated mainly 2016-2019. It does not establish that this activity continues.
- The Trust's 2017 annual report states that a successor entity, Balsall Common Lions Club (CIO), began operating alongside the Trust in July 2017 and was authorised to receive the Trust's assets and liabilities. It is therefore unclear whether current club activity should be attributed to the Trust Fund (charity 1078401), the CIO (charity 1173183), or both.
- The supplied latest financial data for the Trust Fund, for the year ended 30 June 2025, records zero income and zero expenditure. This materially weakens any inference that the Trust currently funds activity in Birmingham or elsewhere.
- The direct evidence supports a historically neighbourhood-focused operational identity centred on Balsall Common, Berkswell and Meriden, which are outside the supplied Birmingham-area taxonomy. Historical national and international relief donations do not demonstrate a current Birmingham footprint.
Additional evidence needed
- The Trust Fund's most recent trustees' annual report or grant-making records, identifying grants and volunteering undertaken during or after the year ended 30 June 2025.
- Confirmation from the Trust Fund or Balsall Common Lions Club CIO of which legal entity currently undertakes fundraising, grant-making and service activity.
- Current confirmation from SIFA Fireside, or another official partner source, of any active volunteer, funding or delivery relationship with the Trust Fund or the successor CIO, including the period of activity.
Areas of work
- General Charitable Purposes
Who they help
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Makes Grants To Individuals
- Makes Grants To Organisations
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A community fundraising platform, not only a grant fund
The available evidence suggests the trust’s grantmaking is enabled by an operating model built around recurring public events, volunteer activity and local sponsorship. It appears to turn community participation into charitable resources.
Why it matters
This helps explain why the organisation may have influence beyond the value of its grants: it creates occasions where residents, businesses and voluntary groups can contribute to local civic life.
Show evidence
“The club organises an annual bonfire and fireworks display, Santa’s sleigh ride and bingo sessions.”
Source:Organisation“The club reported raising £105,000 over five years, including £24,321.95 in one year.”
Source:Organisation“Local businesses, clubs and volunteer groups were thanked for supporting fundraising events.”
Source:Organisation
Broad remit creates flexibility but may diffuse strategic focus
The trust appears able to respond flexibly across disability, education, youth, sport, care, homelessness and disaster relief. This breadth may be valuable for unmet local needs, though the evidence does not show a clear method for prioritising between them.
Why it matters
Understanding this tension is important for potential partners: the organisation may be an accessible source of responsive support, but its funding decisions may be driven more by requests and relationships than a published thematic strategy.
Show evidence
“The trust may apply funds for any purpose charitable according to the law of England and Wales.”
Source:Charity Commission“Financial assistance and equipment are provided to disadvantaged individuals and local youth, recreational and sporting clubs.”
Source:Organisation“Donations included support for neurological care, dementia carers, suicide-awareness work, homeless services and international famine relief.”
Source:Organisation
The organisation acts as a bridge across local civic networks
The evidence indicates that the club frequently works through or alongside other organisations rather than delivering specialist services itself. Its role appears to be connecting resources, volunteers and recognition across civic groups.
Why it matters
This suggests collaboration may be one of its strongest capabilities. Organisations with credible local projects, but limited fundraising reach or volunteer capacity, may find it a useful intermediary.
Show evidence
“A play-garden project was funded through a partnership with Knowle and Dorridge Round Table, Knowle and Dorridge Lions and Balsall Common Festival Committee.”
Source:Organisation“Donations and certificates of appreciation were given to local associations, emergency volunteers, sports clubs and community venues.”
Source:Organisation“The club worked with Graham Fulford Charitable Trust on prostate and diabetes screening.”
Source:Organisation
- Whether the charitable trust is operationally separate from the Lions Club CIO, or principally its funding vehicle.
- How grants are requested, assessed and distributed, including the scale and profile of individual beneficiaries.
- Whether the website evidence reflects current activity, as much of its dated content is from 2016 to 2019.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports, accounts and grant lists showing income sources, awards, beneficiaries and geographic distribution.
- Current grant criteria, application processes and evidence of how local needs and priority communities are identified.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
We provide financial assistance and equipment to individuals and groups catering for individuals within the local areas of Balsall Common ,Berkswell and Meriden ,who are disadvantaged physically, mentally or educationally. We provide financial assistance and equipment to local youth , recreational and sporting clubs. We make donations to national and international appeals for relief works in
Charity objects
THE TRUSTEES SHALL HOLD THE TRUST FUND AND ITS INCOME UPON TRUST TO APPLY THEM FOR ANY PURPOSE WHICH IS CHARITABLE ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF ENGLAND AND WALES WHETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY OTHER ORGANISATION ESTABLISHED FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES.