Mabel Cooper Charity
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £127,500 (year ended June 2023)
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: Not specified - trustees meet regularly
- Grant Range: Up to £10,000 (averaging under £5,000)
- Geographic Focus: England and Wales (preference for South West England)
Contact Details
Address: The Mabel Cooper Charity, Middle Manor, Lascot Hill, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4AF
Phone: 01934 712102
Email: Not available
Website: No website maintained
Note: Information about the charity is available on the Charity Commission website (charity number 264621)
Overview
The Mabel Cooper Charity was founded in 1972 and operates as an established grant-making trust supporting UK registered charities. With three trustees and total income of £257,525 in the financial year ending June 2024, the charity typically awards between £100,000 and £200,000 annually in grants. Their charitable objective is broad: “For the advancement or in furtherance of such charitable purposes or charitable institutions.” The charity supports charitable projects approved by the trustees in accordance with the trust deed. Being based in Somerset, the charity has historically shown preference for funding organizations in South West England, though they operate throughout England and Wales. No trustees receive remuneration, and the charity has no employees earning over £60,000.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- Small Grants Program: Up to £10,000 (grants typically average under £5,000)
- Application Method: Rolling basis - applications accepted at any time in writing
- Total Annual Distribution: Typically £100,000-£200,000
Priority Areas
The charity supports a wide range of charitable causes including:
- General Charitable Purposes: Broad support for various charitable activities
- Animal Welfare: Projects supporting animal care and protection
- Employment and Training: Initiatives helping people gain skills and employment
- Environment: Environmental conservation and sustainability projects
- Health and Wellbeing: Including cancer support and dementia care
- Homelessness: Projects addressing housing insecurity and rough sleeping
- Food Poverty: Initiatives tackling food insecurity
In previous years, the trust has specifically awarded grants to charities for cancer support, dementia, food poverty, and homelessness.
Geographic Preference
While the charity operates throughout England and Wales, being Somerset-based means they are historically more likely to fund charities in South West England.
What They Don't Fund
Specific exclusions are not publicly disclosed. However, applicants must be UK registered charities - the charity does not fund individuals or non-registered organizations.
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Governance and Leadership
The Mabel Cooper Charity is governed by three trustees who meet regularly to consider grant requests. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The charity operates without employees, maintaining a lean operational structure focused on grant distribution.
Specific trustee names and backgrounds are available on the Charity Commission register but were not detailed in publicly accessible sources.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted in writing to:
The Trustees
The Mabel Cooper Charity
Middle Manor
Lascot Hill
Wedmore
Somerset
BS28 4AF
Key Application Details:
- No application deadline - applications may be made at any time
- No online portal or application form
- Written applications only
- Trustees meet regularly to consider requests for grant support
Decision Timeline
The charity does not publish specific decision timelines. Trustees meet regularly throughout the year to review applications, but exact timescales from submission to decision are not publicly disclosed.
Success Rates
Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. The charity does not disclose the number of applications received versus grants awarded.
Reapplication Policy
No specific reapplication policy is published. Applicants may wish to contact the charity directly regarding reapplication after an unsuccessful bid.
Application Success Factors
Given the limited public guidance from this funder, applicants should focus on:
Clear Charitable Purpose: The charity supports projects “approved by the Trustees in accordance with the Trust deed.” Applications should clearly demonstrate how your project advances charitable purposes within their priority areas.
South West England Connection: While the charity operates throughout England and Wales, their Somerset base means they have historically favoured charities working in South West England. If your organization operates in this region, emphasize this connection.
Alignment with Priority Areas: Previous grants have supported cancer support, dementia, food poverty, and homelessness. If your work falls within these areas or the broader categories of animal welfare, employment and training, environment, or health and wellbeing, highlight this clearly.
Realistic Grant Requests: While grants can be up to £10,000, they typically average under £5,000. Consider whether a smaller, well-targeted request might be more competitive.
Registered Charity Status: Only UK registered charities are eligible - ensure your charity registration number is clearly stated in your application.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No website or formal guidelines - this is a traditional trust operating with minimal public-facing information; written applications are the only route
- Geographic advantage matters - South West England organizations appear to have historically had better success
- Broad charitable remit - the trust supports diverse causes, so don't be put off if your work doesn't fit a narrow niche
- Small to medium grants - typically under £5,000, though up to £10,000 is possible; tailor your request accordingly
- Rolling applications - no deadline pressure, but also no predictable decision windows
- Lean operation - with just three trustees and no staff, expect a straightforward, traditional assessment process
- Limited feedback likely - without a public-facing team, detailed feedback on unsuccessful applications may not be available
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References
- PAVO (Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services). “The Mabel Cooper Charity.” Available at: https://www.pavo.org.uk/news/the-mabel-cooper-charity/
- Bath and North East Somerset Council. “The Mabel Cooper Charitable Trust Small Grants.” Available at: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/86625
- Charity Commission for England and Wales. “Charity Overview: Mabel Cooper Charity - 264621.” Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/264621
- St Peter's Hospice. “Support from Trusts and Foundations.” Lists Mabel Cooper Charity as a supporter. Available at: https://www.stpetershospice.org/support-us/make-a-donation/philanthropy/support-from-trusts-and-foundations/