Brian Murtagh Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 1105099

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £548,242 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not published
  • Decision Time: Up to 4 months (quarterly meetings)
  • Grant Range: Not specified (varies by project)
  • Geographic Focus: UK and international (with registered UK arm)
  • Total Assets: £6.96 million (2023)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.brianmurtaghct.org.uk
  • Email: admin@brianmurtaghct.org.uk
  • Phone: 7852902195
  • Address: Flat 3, 9 Lostwithiel Street, Fowey, Cornwall PL23 1BD
  • Application Method: Online application via website only

Overview

The Brian Murtagh Charitable Trust is a family trust established in June 2004 and activated in late 2008, based in Fowey, Cornwall. With total net assets of £6.96 million, the trust distributed £548,242 in grants during 2023. The trust does not engage in fundraising, instead relying solely on investment income from its substantial endowment (including a share portfolio valued at £3.29 million and property trust investments of £1.96 million) to support its grant-making activities. The trust focuses exclusively on supporting small to medium-sized charitable organizations working with children and young adults facing physical and learning disabilities, social disadvantage, poverty, sickness, and trauma, both in the UK and internationally. The board of trustees meets quarterly to review applications and make funding decisions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant program with a two-step application process:

  • Step One: Eligibility screening to determine if the organization meets the trust's requirements
  • Step Two: Full application form for eligible organizations
  • Application Method: Rolling basis through online portal only
  • Decision Making: Quarterly trustee meetings (4 times per year)

Priority Areas

The trust supports organizations working in the following areas with children and young adults:

  • Physical and learning disabilities: Education, training, and development programs
  • Social disadvantage: Projects addressing inequality and access to opportunities
  • Education and training: Skills development and educational support
  • Poverty: Programs alleviating financial hardship and its impacts
  • Sickness and trauma: Support for health conditions and recovery

Eligibility Requirements

  • Organizations must have annual income/expenditure below £350,000 (note: some sources cite £300,000; the more recent figure appears to be £350,000)
  • Must be registered with the Charity Commission, Company House, or hold an Inland Revenue exemption certificate
  • International charities must have a registered UK arm to channel grants
  • Organizations must demonstrate that they are inclusive
  • Individuals may apply only with validated partner support
  • 85% minimum requirement: At least 85% of the grant must be restricted to direct beneficiary support

What They Don't Fund

  • Overseas capital projects (revenue-only applications accepted for international work)
  • Organizations with annual income exceeding £350,000
  • International charities without a UK registered arm

Geographic Focus

The board aims for “a reasonable spread between UK and international” charities, demonstrating commitment to both domestic and global impact.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust is governed by a board of trustees who meet quarterly:

  • Mr. Brian Paul Murtagh (Founder and Trustee since 2004)
  • Miss Mary Pamela Noble (Trustee)
  • Mrs. Lynne Suzan Gilbert (Trustee)
  • Ms. Sharon Louise Jackson (Trustee)

The trust operates as a family trust, maintaining a personal approach to grant-making while ensuring rigorous assessment of applications through its quarterly review process.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Review eligibility criteria on the trust's website to confirm your organization qualifies
  2. Complete Step One: Initial eligibility screening via online form
  3. If eligible, proceed to Step Two: Full application form submission
  4. All applications must be submitted through the online portal at www.brianmurtaghct.org.uk

Decision Timeline

  • Board meetings: Quarterly (4 times per year)
  • Initial review: Trustees may contact applicants for clarification or additional information after submission
  • Typical timeframe: Up to 4 months from submission to decision
  • Extended timeline: Process may take longer if trustees have follow-up questions after a board meeting
  • Grant notifications: Successful applicants contacted within one month of board approval, with terms of the grant outlined
  • Unsuccessful applications: Due to high application volumes, the trust cannot guarantee notification of unsuccessful applications

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not published by the trust. However, the website notes that “due to the amount of applications we receive we cannot guarantee notification if your application has been unsuccessful,” suggesting they receive a significant volume of applications relative to their funding capacity.

Reapplication Policy

The trust does not publish a specific reapplication policy or mandatory waiting period for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Key Considerations for Applicants

Organization Size and Focus

  • The trust specifically targets small to medium-sized charities with income below £350,000, demonstrating commitment to supporting grassroots organizations
  • Organizations must demonstrate clear focus on children and young adults in the priority areas
  • Emphasis on inclusivity is explicitly stated in eligibility criteria

Direct Beneficiary Impact

  • The 85% minimum requirement for direct beneficiary support indicates the trust prioritizes projects with high direct impact rather than overhead-heavy initiatives
  • Applications should clearly demonstrate how the majority of funding will directly benefit children and young adults

International Applications

  • International charities must have established UK infrastructure (registered UK arm) to facilitate grant management
  • Revenue-only projects are accepted for international work, indicating preference for ongoing programs over infrastructure development
  • Geographic balance matters: the board actively seeks to maintain reasonable distribution between UK and international projects

Application Quality

  • Be prepared for follow-up questions from trustees, indicating thorough due diligence
  • The two-step process allows the trust to efficiently screen applications, so ensure Step One information is complete and accurate
  • Organizations should be ready to provide detailed information at Step Two if they pass initial screening

Example of Funded Work

  • Corali received funding for their “Find Your Way” program (2017), supporting people with learning disabilities through performance and participatory programs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Size matters: This trust specifically targets smaller charities (under £350,000 income), making it an excellent fit for grassroots organizations that may struggle to access larger funders
  • Direct impact is paramount: The 85% direct beneficiary requirement means applications must clearly demonstrate minimal overhead and maximum impact for children and young adults
  • Be patient with the timeline: With quarterly meetings and up to 4 months processing time, plan your application timing carefully and avoid expecting rapid decisions
  • Complete applications get priority: The two-step process screens for eligibility first, so ensure your organization clearly meets all criteria before investing time in the full application
  • International work is welcome: Unlike many UK trusts, this funder actively supports international work (revenue projects only) if you have UK infrastructure in place
  • No guaranteed rejection letters: Don't wait for a formal rejection; if you haven't heard within 4-5 months, assume your application was unsuccessful and consider other opportunities
  • Investment-based giving: As the trust relies solely on investment income, funding levels may fluctuate with market conditions, though the substantial endowment (nearly £7 million) suggests stability

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