Isles Of Scilly Charitable Trust Comprising The Edward Mcdonald Fund And The Pilots Widows Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??41,839 (2023-24)
• Total Income: ??38,598 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified (rolling applications)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified (small grants for local community)
• Geographic Focus: Isles of Scilly only

Contact Details

Clerk to the Trust: Joseph Payne

Email: joseph.payne@scilly.gov.uk

Phone: 01720 424543

General Council Enquiries: 0300 1234 105 | enquiries@scilly.gov.uk

Address: Town Hall, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, TR21 0LW

Website: https://scilly.gov.uk/charitable-trusts

Charity Number: 207551

Overview

The Isles of Scilly Charitable Trust (IOSCT) was formed in July 2022 through the merger of two historic island charities: the Edward McDonald Trust (established in the late 1940s from the estate of a St Mary's banker) and the Pilots Widows Fund (dating back to a public collection following a maritime tragedy in the late 18th century). This local charity exists exclusively to support the small island community of the Isles of Scilly, with charitable purposes drawn in broad terms to allow maximum flexibility in supporting island residents and organizations. The trust is administered by the Council of the Isles of Scilly, with no trustees receiving remuneration. Beyond processing grant applications, the trust makes annual Christmas cash distributions to people in need and provides regular annual payments to five local organizations, demonstrating its embedded role in the island community's support infrastructure.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single application-based grant program with three priority categories:

1. Financial Hardship Support

To provide financial support to address particular cases of hardship, in particular to support the health or wellbeing of people in need on the islands who are aged under 60.

2. Community Enrichment

To provide financial support for on-island activities or events that will enrich the lives of local residents, in particular for people aged under 60.

3. Maritime Charitable Purposes

To provide financial support for charitable purposes associated with maritime endeavours on the islands (reflecting the heritage of the Pilots Widows Fund).

Application Method: Rolling basis using a shared application form available via the Council of the Isles of Scilly website.

Priority Areas

• Emergency hardship relief for island residents
• Health and wellbeing initiatives for those under 60
• Community events and activities that enrich island life
• Maritime-related charitable purposes
• Support for young people and families
• Local charitable institutions and organizations

The trust's charitable purposes allow general funds to be applied “for such charitable institutions, organisations or purposes within the Isles of Scilly as the trustees think fit,” providing significant flexibility.

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations or individuals outside the Isles of Scilly
• Any purposes not considered charitable under UK law

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Governance and Leadership

Clerk to the Trust: Joseph Payne (joseph.payne@scilly.gov.uk)

The trust is administered by the Council of the Isles of Scilly, which provides staff support to act as clerk to the charity. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all resources go directly to charitable purposes.

The trust operates as an independent charity but benefits from the administrative infrastructure of the local council, making it accessible and responsive to island needs.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Email: joseph.payne@scilly.gov.uk
• Post: Town Hall, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, TR21 0LW

The trust uses a shared application form that serves both the IOSCT and the Richard Addison Charitable Trust (another local island charity).

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. As a small local trust with intimate knowledge of the island community, decisions may be made more quickly than larger grant-making trusts, but specific timeframes are not documented.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. Given the trust's small annual expenditure (??41,839 in 2023-24) and the limited geographic scope (serving a population of approximately 2,200 people across five inhabited islands), competition may be moderate but funding is necessarily limited.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Given the trust's role in providing ongoing support to the island community (including annual payments to local organizations), it appears that ongoing relationships and repeat applications are acceptable.

Application Success Factors

The IOSCT serves a very specific geographic community???the Isles of Scilly???and applicants should understand the unique context:

Key Success Factors:

1. Local Focus: You must be an Isles of Scilly resident, organization, or activity. This is non-negotiable.

1. Clear Charitable Purpose: Articulate how your request fits within one of the three categories (hardship, community enrichment, or maritime purposes).

1. Age Consideration: While not exclusive, the trust shows particular interest in supporting people under 60, especially for hardship and community enrichment categories.

1. Community Benefit: Demonstrate how your project or need will benefit the wider island community or address a genuine local need.

1. Maritime Heritage: For maritime-related applications, connect to the islands' maritime heritage and the historical origins of the Pilots Widows Fund.

Examples of Support:

• The trust contributed ??500 toward Christmas lights for the island community
• Participated in COVID-19 hardship funds for island residents facing financial difficulties
• Makes annual Christmas cash distributions to people in need
• Provides annual payments to five local organizations (specific organizations not publicly named)
• Received funding from Cornwall Community Foundation (??1,000) to provide emergency help to individuals struggling, demonstrating their role in the wider charitable ecosystem

Language and Approach:

Given the trust's broad charitable purposes and local focus, applications should:

• Be straightforward and clearly demonstrate local benefit
• Explain genuine need or community value
• For hardship applications, clearly describe the circumstances and how support will help
• For community enrichment, show how the activity/event will enrich island life
• For maritime applications, connect to the islands' seafaring heritage

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Hyper-local only: This trust exclusively serves the Isles of Scilly???if you're not island-based, don't apply.

• Small-scale community funder: With annual expenditure around ??40,000, this is a modest local trust supporting a small community???tailor expectations accordingly.

• Three clear categories: Structure your application around hardship support, community enrichment, or maritime purposes to align with stated priorities.

• Rolling applications: No fixed deadlines mean you can apply when the need arises, but also that funding may be allocated throughout the year.

• Under-60 focus: While not exclusive, applications supporting people under 60 appear particularly aligned with current priorities for hardship and community enrichment.

• Integrated with island support: The trust is part of a wider local charitable ecosystem including the Richard Addison Charitable Trust and support from Cornwall Community Foundation???understanding this network may be valuable.

• Direct access: With a single clerk (Joseph Payne) handling applications, this is an accessible funder where direct communication and relationship-building may be valuable for island organizations and residents.

References

1. Council of the Isles of Scilly - Charitable Trusts page: https://scilly.gov.uk/charitable-trusts

1. UK Charity Commission - Isles of Scilly Charitable Trust comprising the Edward McDonald Fund and the Pilots Widows Fund (Charity 207551): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/207551

1. 360Giving GrantNav - Isles of Scilly Charitable Trust: https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-207551

1. Cornwall Community Foundation - Help for communities on the Isles of Scilly: https://www.cornwallcommunityfoundation.com/case-studies/help-for-communities-on-the-isles-of-scilly/

1. Council of the Isles of Scilly - COVID Winter Grant Scheme and other hardship support: https://scilly.gov.uk/news/covid-winter-grant-scheme-and-other-hardship-support-isles-scilly-residents