James T Howat Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £200,000 (average grant distribution)
• Established: 1989
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (applications considered within 4-8 weeks)
• Grant Range: £500 - Unknown upper limit
• Geographic Focus: Glasgow (primary), Central Belt, Argyll & Isles, wider Scotland (small grants)
• Charity Number: SC000201 (Scottish Charity)

Contact Details

Address:

James T Howat Charitable Trust

c/o Harper Macleod LLP

The Ca'd'oro

45 Gordon Street

Glasgow G1 3PE

Contact Person: Gemma Shannon (Paralegal, Wills & Estates)

Email: gemma.shannon@harpermacleod.co.uk

Phone: 0141 227 9344

General Enquiries: 0330 912 0087

Note: The trust does not maintain its own website or email address. All applications are administered through Harper Macleod LLP.

Overview

The James T Howat Charitable Trust is a Scottish charitable trust established in 1989 and registered with OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator). The trust operates with an average annual grant distribution of approximately £200,000, though recent financial records show expenditure ranging from £330,000-£338,000 annually (2022-2024), indicating significant grant-making activity. The trust has an income of approximately £160,000-£190,000 per year.

The trust's primary mission is to support projects that benefit Glasgow and its citizens, though it also extends funding to other areas of Scotland's central belt and the Argyll & Isles region. UK-wide projects may be considered for small grants if they demonstrate local applicability. The trust supports a broad range of charitable purposes including poverty relief, education, health, community development, arts and culture, sport, environmental protection, and assistance for those facing disadvantage.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme:

• Amount: Typically £500 to several thousand pounds (specific upper limit not published)
• Application Method: Written applications on rolling basis
• Decision Schedule: Quarterly trustee meetings in March, June, September, and December
• Deadline: Applications must be received by the middle of the month preceding each meeting

Priority Areas

The trust funds a wide range of charitable activities including:

• Poverty Relief: Support for those experiencing financial hardship
• Education and Training: Educational programmes and learning initiatives
• Health and Wellbeing: Healthcare projects and wellbeing services
• Mental Health: Mental health care and support services
• Arts and Culture: Cultural projects and artistic programmes
• Sport and Physical Activity: Sports participation and physical recreation
• Social Care and Welfare: General welfare and social support programmes
• Animal Welfare: Animal protection and welfare initiatives
• Community Development: Community-based projects and civic engagement
• Environmental Protection: Environmental conservation and sustainability
• Respite and Holidays: Respite care and holiday opportunities for those in need

Geographic Priorities:

1. Primary: Glasgow and her citizens
2. Secondary: Central Belt of Scotland and Argyll & Isles
3. Tertiary: Scottish and UK-wide projects (small grants only, if locally applicable)

Beneficiary Groups:

The trust supports the broader community including children and young people, elderly persons, people with disabilities, veterans and armed forces personnel, and those facing disadvantage due to age, ill-health, disability, or financial hardship.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, based on the trust's geographical focus, projects without a connection to Glasgow or Scotland are unlikely to be successful unless they can demonstrate clear local applicability.

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Governance and Leadership

The James T Howat Charitable Trust operates as a trust under a deed of trust. Trustee names are currently not publicly listed on the OSCR register but will become publicly available from January 2026 as part of OSCR's transparency initiative.

Trust Administration:

Harper Macleod LLP, a leading independent full-service Scottish law firm, administers the trust. The firm has offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Elgin, Lerwick, and Thurso, providing professional administration and grant management services.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Format:

• Applications should consist of a summary not more than a single A4 sheet
• Must be accompanied by:
• Accounts and/or business plan
• Foundation documents (e.g., constitution, governing document)
• Any other relevant information

Submission Method:

Written applications should be submitted to:

Harper Macleod LLP

The Ca'd'oro

45 Gordon Street

Glasgow, G1 3PE

Application Schedule:

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
• Submit by the middle of the month preceding the trustee meeting
• Trustee meetings are held quarterly in March, June, September, and December

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: Mid-month (e.g., mid-February for March meeting)
• Decision Timeline: 4-8 weeks from submission to decision, depending on meeting schedule
• Notification: Applicants are notified of decisions following trustee meetings

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, with annual expenditure of approximately £330,000-£338,000 and an average stated annual giving of £200,000, the trust demonstrates active grant-making across multiple awards each year.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the trust administrator for guidance on reapplication.

Reporting Requirements:

It is a condition of any grant that recipients provide a report detailing how the funds have been used.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Criteria

1. Geographic Alignment: Projects directly benefiting Glasgow citizens have the highest priority. Secondary consideration is given to Central Belt and Argyll & Isles projects.

1. Concise Applications: The trust specifically requests applications of no more than one A4 sheet, demonstrating a preference for clear, concise proposals that get straight to the point.

1. Complete Documentation: Applications must include supporting documents (accounts, business plan, foundation documents), showing organizational credibility and financial transparency.

1. Local Impact: Even UK-wide projects must demonstrate how they will be applied locally to be considered.

1. Broad Charitable Benefit: The trust supports diverse causes across education, health, arts, sport, social welfare, and environmental protection, allowing flexibility in project type.

Recent Grant Examples

• IWORK4ME: £500 for self-employment support for autistic people in Scotland
• Kirkmichael Trust: Listed as recipient (heritage preservation and medieval artifacts)
• Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation: Listed as recipient (exact amount not specified)

Standing Out

• Keep it Brief: Honor the one-page summary requirement while providing compelling evidence of need and impact
• Demonstrate Local Connection: Clearly articulate how the project benefits Glasgow or can be applied locally
• Show Financial Responsibility: Include well-prepared accounts and a realistic business plan
• Quarterly Cycle: Plan submissions strategically around the four annual meetings to avoid delays
• Follow-up Reporting: Be prepared to provide detailed reporting on fund usage, as this is a condition of grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic proximity matters most: Projects directly benefiting Glasgow have the strongest chance of success. Secondary areas (Central Belt, Argyll & Isles) are also viable, but UK-wide projects should only apply for small grants with clear local application.

• Less is more: The trust's requirement for a one-page summary signals a preference for concise, well-focused proposals. Avoid lengthy applications; make every sentence count.

• Quarterly rhythm: With only four annual meetings, timing is important. Submit by mid-month to be considered at the next quarterly meeting (March, June, September, December).

• Wide charitable scope: The trust supports an exceptionally broad range of causes from animal welfare to mental health to arts. Don't self-select out if your project has genuine charitable benefit.

• Professional administration: Harper Macleod LLP's involvement indicates professional grant management. Ensure all documentation is complete, professional, and financially sound.

• Modest grant expectations: Evidence suggests grants typically range from £500 upwards. Position your application appropriately for the scale of funding available.

• Reporting is mandatory: Budget time and resources for post-grant reporting, as this is a condition of receiving funds.

References

1. Funding Scotland - James T Howat Charitable Trust profile. https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000000Ng6jEAC/james-t-howat-charitable-trust

1. OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) - Charity Details SC000201. https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC000201

1. Find that Charity - James T Howat Charitable Trust. https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-SC-SC000201

1. Glasgow Life - James T Howat Charitable Trust. https://glasgowlife.sportsuite.co.uk/funding/1229

1. IWORK4ME - James T Howat Charitable Trust Donation. https://www.iwork4me.org.uk/james-t-howat-charitable-trust-donation/

1. Kirkmichael Trust - Sponsors page listing James T Howat Charitable Trust. https://www.kirkmichael.info/sponsors.html

1. Harper Macleod LLP - Trust administrators. https://www.harpermacleod.co.uk/