A G Manly Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 1007307

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £122,774 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified (rolling basis)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified (individual grants vary by program)
  • Geographic Focus: South-east England (primarily London, Surrey, and Sussex)
  • Total Distributed: £1.8 million+ over 34 years to 130+ charities

Contact Details

Website: www.manlytrust.uk

Email: admin@manlytrust.uk (primary), manlytrust@gmail.com

Phone: 01403 780852

Address: The Manly Trust, c/o Moore Kingston Smith LLP, Betchworth House, 57-65 Station Road, Redhill, RH1 1DL

Charity Number: 1007307

Application Contact: Use the online contact form on their website or email admin@manlytrust.uk with project details and supporting documentation (PDF up to 10MB).

Overview

The A G Manly Charitable Trust was established in 1991 by Graham Manly OBE, former CIBSE and BESA President, to honor his father AG Manly, who founded the AG Manly engineering firm in 1948. Over 34 years, the trust has distributed over £1.8 million through 380 grants to more than 130 charities. With an annual expenditure of approximately £122,774 (2024), the trust maintains a focused mission: to provide financial assistance to advance the science of engineering for public benefit and to promote engineering education, particularly for young people. The trust operates with three trustees and no paid staff, ensuring all resources go directly to charitable causes. The trust primarily focuses on projects in London, Surrey, and Sussex, though engineering education initiatives receive particular priority.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates through multiple funding streams:

Individual Student Support

  • Arkwright Engineering Scholarships: Supported 66 sixth-form students over 15 years
  • London South Bank University Bursaries: Established 2005, partnership with CIBSE
  • University of Surrey Bursaries: Established 2019
  • CIBSE ASHRAE Graduate of the Year Awards: Annual bursary funding for finalists
  • Alfred Manly Management Award: Partnership with BESA supporting apprentices and young engineers in junior/middle management roles pursuing HNC/HND, Foundation Degree, or degree courses in Building Services Engineering

Organizational Support

  • BESA Skills Legacy Programme: Fully funded first 50 candidates for trainer, assessor, and building safety auditor training (2024)
  • Partnership grants to engineering education organizations
  • Project-based funding for STEM initiatives targeting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or underrepresented groups

Application Method: Rolling basis via online contact form or email. Note: Funds were reported as “almost fully committed for 2024,” suggesting early application is advisable.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus - Engineering Education

  • Science of engineering advancement for public benefit
  • Engineering education for young people
  • STEM subject development in schools
  • Building services engineering specifically
  • Career development and training for early-career engineers
  • Support for apprenticeships and vocational training

Supported Organizations Include:

  • Surrey SATRO
  • In2scienceUK
  • Smallpeice Trust
  • Engineering Development Trust (EDT)
  • The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
  • Arkwright Engineering Scholarships Foundation

Secondary Focus - Social Welfare

  • Support for people with disabilities
  • Organizations serving people with life-limiting illnesses
  • Charities supporting those excluded from education
  • Local charitable causes in Surrey and Sussex

Supported Organizations Include:

  • Shooting Star Children's Hospices
  • Whizz-Kidz
  • Surrey Care Trust
  • St Catherine's Hospice

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects outside south-east England (trustees unlikely to consider)
  • General operating costs without clear outcomes for young people or engineering advancement
  • Projects not aligned with engineering education or the trust's charitable objects
  • Individual applications from students (student support works through institutional partnerships)
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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (as of 2021)

David Manly - Son of founder Graham Manly, grandson of AG Manly. David stated: “My father championed many causes throughout his 40-year career but had a particular passion for supporting young engineers through education, training, and career development.”

David Montgomery - Retired chartered accountant

Ewen Rose - Director at McGowan Rose Associates

Tim Dwyer - Honorary Professor in Building Services Systems, UCL

Founder

Graham Manly OBE (1991-2019): Founded the trust, served as CIBSE President (2004) and BESA President, received OBE (2012) for contributions to building services engineering, received honorary doctorate from London South Bank University (2018) where he was visiting professor.

Margaret Manly: Graham's wife, ran the trust from inception; stepped down after 30 years of service.

Organizational Details

  • 3 active trustees
  • No employees earning over £60,000
  • No trading subsidiaries
  • Does not raise funds from the public
  • Operates through c/o Moore Kingston Smith LLP (accountants) in Redhill

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Initial Contact: Organizations interested in funding should:

  1. Review trust objectives at www.manlytrust.uk/about
  2. Submit inquiry via online contact form or email admin@manlytrust.uk
  3. Include project description and supporting documentation (PDF up to 10MB)
  4. Alternatively, send written applications to the postal address

Application Requirements: While not formally specified, applicants should provide:

  • Clear alignment with trust objectives (engineering education/STEM for young people)
  • Geographic focus (London, Surrey, Sussex)
  • Project outcomes and beneficiary details
  • Budget and requested funding amount
  • Organization's charitable status

Pre-Application Note: Contact the trust early as funds become committed throughout the year. The website noted funds were “almost fully committed for 2024.”

Decision Timeline

Application Process: Rolling basis (no fixed deadlines)

Decision Timeframe: Not publicly specified. Given the small trustee board (3 members) and personalized approach, expect decisions within 1-3 months, though this is not confirmed.

Notification Method: Likely by email or post to applicant organization

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, context suggests:

  • Over 34 years: 380 grants made to 130+ charities
  • Average of ~11 grants per year
  • Some charities receive multi-year or repeat funding
  • Strong preference for engineering education initiatives with clear outcomes for young people

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is published. However, the trust's track record shows ongoing relationships with several partner organizations (London South Bank University since 2005, University of Surrey since 2019, Arkwright Scholarships for 15+ years), suggesting:

  • Successful projects may receive continued support
  • Multi-year partnerships are welcomed for proven initiatives
  • Organizations should maintain relationships and report outcomes

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment is Critical

The trust has very specific objectives centered on engineering education and youth development. Successful applications will:

Demonstrate Clear Engineering Focus

  • Building services engineering receives particular attention (founder's background)
  • STEM education initiatives, especially engineering
  • Practical training and apprenticeship programs
  • Career development for early-career engineers

Target Young People Effectively

  • School-age children and sixth-form students
  • Apprentices and early-career professionals
  • Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or underrepresented groups
  • Those excluded from traditional education pathways

Operate in Geographic Focus Area

  • Trustees are “unlikely to consider projects outside the south-east of England”
  • Strongest consideration for London, Surrey, Sussex
  • Some flexibility for significant engineering education initiatives

Evidence and Outcomes

The trust supports established organizations with track records:

  • Partnership with CIBSE since 2005
  • 15+ years supporting Arkwright Scholarships (66 students)
  • Multi-year institutional relationships

Successful applicants demonstrate:

  • Clear outcomes and metrics for young people served
  • Established programs with proven impact
  • Sustainable approaches beyond one-off funding
  • Potential for long-term partnership

Language and Terminology

Review the trust's key phrases when crafting applications:

  • “Science of engineering” and “engineering education”
  • “Young people” (not just “youth” or “students”)
  • “Building services engineering” for technical programs
  • “STEM subjects” for broader educational initiatives
  • “Disadvantaged backgrounds” and “underrepresented” groups
  • “Career development” and “training”

Trustee Quote Insight

David Manly emphasized his father's “particular passion for supporting young engineers through education, training, and career development” - this three-part focus (education, training, career development) should be reflected in applications.

Practical Considerations

Timing: Contact early in the calendar/financial year as funds become committed

  • Website noted funds “almost fully committed for 2024” mid-year
  • Plan applications 6-12 months ahead for next funding year

Documentation: Be prepared to provide PDF supporting materials up to 10MB

Relationship Building: Given the trust's small size and personalized approach, consider:

  • Attending CIBSE or BESA events where trustees may be present
  • Building connections in the building services engineering community
  • Demonstrating understanding of the sector and the Manly family legacy

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Engineering Education is Core: The trust's primary (though not exclusive) focus is advancing engineering education, particularly building services engineering. Applications must demonstrate clear alignment with this objective.
  1. Geographic Boundaries Matter: Trustees are unlikely to consider projects outside south-east England. Focus applications on London, Surrey, and Sussex to maximize success potential.
  1. Youth Focus is Essential: All engineering initiatives should clearly benefit young people - from school-age through early-career professionals. Articulate how your project develops the next generation of engineers.
  1. Partnership Approach Works: The trust has sustained multi-year relationships with several organizations. Position your application as the beginning of a potential long-term partnership with clear reporting and outcomes.
  1. Dual Mission Opportunities: Beyond engineering, the trust supports local charities serving people with disabilities, life-limiting illnesses, or educational exclusion. Social welfare organizations in Surrey/Sussex with clear outcomes for these groups should consider applying.
  1. Plan Ahead: With limited annual funding (£120,000 range) and funds committing throughout the year, submit expressions of interest early. Don't wait until funds are committed.
  1. Demonstrate Sector Knowledge: Understanding of the building services engineering sector, the Manly family legacy, and connections to CIBSE/BESA will strengthen applications and build credibility with trustees.

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