Marsh Charitable Trust

Our Grants Programme

The Trust focuses on providing funding which could help small organisations pay for various running costs, such as volunteer expenses, training days, equipment maintenance and other core outgoings.

Our funding strategy is to provide long-term core funding for such costs, as we understand that many of the organisations we support depend on unrestricted income in order to meet their operating needs.

Grants are unrestricted and range from £300-£2,000. Successful new applicants can expect to receive a grant at the lower end of this scale.

Applications are considered on the basis of the organisation’s financial position, performance against charitable aims and objectives and the ratio of voluntary income against fundraising expenses

The Trust aims to build long-standing relationships with successful applicants and, subject to an annual review, continue its support over time.

Applicants must be a registered charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. This does not include Community Interest Companies (CICs).

Charities must have been established for more than one financial year and able to provide a full set of their most recent Annual Report and Accounts, or the equivalent financial information if their annual income is under £25,000.

The graph below depicts how the Trust has spent the resources for the Year End 5th April 2023.

As in previous years, the majority of funds were allocated in the area of social welfare, perhaps as a reflection of where the highest demands for support were coming from.

Individuals

Individual Churches

Hospices or Hospitals

Start-up costs

Project costs

Schools and Universities

There is no standard application form.

Applications must include:

– cover letter (one to two sides)

– full set of the most recent Annual Report and Accounts

Applicants should demonstrate that they have understood the type of funding which the Trust provides and illustrate how this would benefit their charity on a long-term basis.

All applications should be made in writing and sent by post to the Marsh Charitable Trust, 4 Matthew Parker Street, London, SW1H 9NP.

There is no deadline for applications.

Applications are processed on an on-going basis and a response is usually sent within two months of receipt. However, due to the high volume of applications, occasionally responses to new appeals may take longer.

Upon receipt, applications are divided into two groups, new appeals and renewals, and are given to a monthly grants committee for consideration.

Each application is considered on the basis of the organisation’s financial position, performance against charitable aims and objectives, the ratio of voluntary income against fundraising expenses, and the suitability of the application to the type of funding we provide.

A response is made to every appeal whether it is successful or not.

Mission Aviation Fellowship

The MCT has been supporting Mission Aviation Fellowship for 26 years.

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is the world’s largest humanitarian air service, flying to more than 1,000 remote destinations.

MAF operates in more than 25 low-income countries, delivering aid, medicine, and relief, transporting personnel and responding to natural disasters in areas widely inaccessible by road. Founded by a handful of RAF veterans in 1945, MAF’s earliest vision was to help isolated people in the aftermath of WWII, using aircraft as force for peace rather than conflict. By 1947, a small team raised enough money to buy MAF’s first aircraft – a Miles Gemini. In January 1948, a pioneering survey flight across Africa identified huge areas of vulnerability.

Today, MAF partners with roughly 1,400 aid, development, and mission organisations; enabling them to reach isolated communities in the safest and quickest way possible – not just in Africa but across the globe.

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A Rocha UK

The MCT has been supporting A Rocha UK for 26 years.

A Rocha UK is a Christian charity working to equip Christians and churches to protect and restore the environment, for God, nature and all people. Aiming to inspire individuals, families and equip churches, to build communities to care for nature through practical action, education and conservation.

Their work includes the Eco Church programme, which support Christian land managers, and projects protecting threatened species and habitats across the UK. A Rocha UK also runs Eco Church, a national programme helping churches take action on worship, buildings, land, community engagement and lifestyle.

As well as just working nationally, the A Rocha family (A network of Christian organisations) work together across 20 different countries, across six continents, to conserve nature.

Steamship Freshspring Trust

The MCT has supported Steamship Freshspring Trust for 7 years.

Steamship Freshspring Trust is a historic steamship preservation charity dedicated to advancing education, engineering skills and maritime heritage for communities and young people across the UK. Working to preserve and restore SS Freshspring as a living example of Britain’s maritime and industrial history.

Through hands on learning, public engagement and community activities, they provide opportunities for people of all ages to explore engineering, heritage and life at sea while inspiring future generations to consider careers in science, technology and maritime industries.

Their work supports schools, colleges and local communities through STEM activities, heritage events and interactive experiences designed to promote learning, confidence and social inclusion.

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Margaret Pyke Trust

The MCT has supported Margaret Pyke Trust for 11 years.

The Margaret Pyke Trust works in partnership with healthcare, environmental and conservation organisations to improve access to family planning information and services, support reproductive choice and strengthen climate resilience in communities around the world.

They are committed to removing barriers to contraception and ensuring that everyone can access the healthcare and support they need to make informed choices about their future.
They also provides specialist training for doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals that improve sexual and reproductive health services and promote sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. Their work supports healthier communities while helping to address the interconnected challenges of climate change, inequality and environmental degradation. Their services and programmes include contraception and sexual health training, family planning advocacy, partnerships with conservation organisations, healthcare support in low- and middle-income countries, climate and biodiversity policy work, and projects designed to improve wellbeing.

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NASS

The MCT has supported NASS for 5 years.

The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) has been supporting people living with Axial Spondyloarthritis for almost 50 years.

NASS is one of the only charity in the UK dedicated to transforming the diagnosis, treatment and care of people living with axial SpA. They provide specialist support, advice and up-to-date information to help people better understand their condition, manage their treatment and stay in control of their lives. Their work also focuses on improving awareness and ensuring that patients receive timely and effective care across the country. They work closely with healthcare professionals, researchers and policymakers to improve outcomes for people affected by Axial SpA and related conditions.

Through their work, NASS aims to build a stronger and more connected community while improving quality of life, confidence and long term health outcomes for people living with Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Marsh Charitable Trust was established by Brian Marsh OBE with the sum of £75,000. From these beginnings the Trust’s funds have developed and stand today at around £17,000,000.

The Trust’s principle activity is financed by income derived from its investment portfolio, but whenever possible Mr Marsh will make further personal donations. The Trust does not accept any public donations.

The application requirements are a cover letter (including information about the organisation and contact details) and a copy of the most recent Annual Report and Accounts. We believe that the application requirements reflect the size of our grants and therefore there is no detailed application form to complete.

Other relevant information is also considered alongside the letter and accounts, but please do not send in a large number of extra documents as there is no need, it will cost you more and it will take longer to process.

If more information is required, we will contact you.

The size of the grants range from £300 to £2,000 with new grantees starting at the lower end of the scale.

Grant sums are decided by the grants committee, but applicants are welcome to request a specific sum. However they should take into consideration the amounts available and remember that new successful applications will receive a grant at the lower end of the scale.

The simple answer is no, you can apply at anytime.

Applications are processed on an on-going basis and you will usually hear from us within 2 months. Sometimes due to the volume of applications we may take a little longer to respond, but it won’t be much longer than that.