Man Group Plc Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £986,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not specified (two-stage process)
• Grant Range: Up to £7,500 (Community Programme)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide with focus on London (specific boroughs: Greenwich, Hackney, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets)

Contact Details

Email: charitable.trust@man.com

Phone: 020 7144 1734

Website: http://www.mangroupplc.com/corporate-responsibility/man-charitable-trust.jsf

Charity Number: 275386

For Community Programme applications:

Capital Community Foundation

357 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5QY

Contact: Cat Dix

Phone: 020 7582 5117

Overview

Founded in 1978, the Man Group PLC Charitable Trust is an independent UK registered charity funded by Man Group plc. The Trust focuses on creating opportunities for positive change by supporting organisations that promote literacy, numeracy, and education throughout the UK, with a particular emphasis on London. In 2024, the Trust had total expenditure of £986,149, reflecting significant commitment to grant-making even when drawing on reserves (2024 income: £333,792). The Trust operates with a dual mission: providing grants to organisations raising educational levels in the UK and facilitating Man Group employee engagement in charitable activities. The Trust maintains substantial reserves of approximately £2.9 million, equivalent to 3.9 years of spending, ensuring long-term sustainability of its grant-making programmes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Programme (via Capital Community Foundation)

• Grant Amount: Up to £7,500
• Application Method: Two-stage process (expression of interest, followed by site visits for shortlisted applicants)
• Geographic Focus: Seven London boroughs only (Greenwich, Hackney, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets)
• Eligibility: Priority given to organisations with annual income under £150,000 (maximum £250,000)

Strategic Partnership Programme

• Grant Amount: Larger grants through negotiated partnerships
• Application Method: Invitation only/direct negotiation
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide
• Current partners include: The Brilliant Club, Greenhouse Sports, Auditory Verbal UK (AVUK), The Switch, XLP, Hibiscus Initiatives, Discover, Refugee Education UK, MyBnk, First Story, Read Easy, and Starlight

Priority Areas

Education & Literacy/Numeracy

• Reading and writing skills development for all ages
• Educational access for disadvantaged people
• Supporting people who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)

Youth Development

• Access to arts and cultural activities
• Sports activities and positive life skills development
• Promoting inclusion for young people

Vulnerable Populations

• Treatment and rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction
• Housing and employment support for homeless individuals and families
• Reducing social isolation for elderly
• Support for domestic violence victims and those with mental health challenges

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Profit-making enterprises or commercial ventures
• Statutory organisations
• Retrospective projects (already completed work)
• Political or religious projects with limited beneficiary scope

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a board of trustees (4 trustees as of 2024, reduced from 8 in 2023) and supported by 3 volunteers. The Trust operates independently from Man Group plc while receiving funding from the parent company. The governing document is a trust deed originally dated 11 January 1978, with amendments in 2006, 2013, 2016, and 2021. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all funds go directly to charitable activities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Community Programme (Small Grants):

1. Submit expression of interest to Capital Community Foundation
2. Applications reviewed on rolling basis
3. Shortlisted applicants receive site visit from Grants Officer
4. Final decision made by committee
5. Successful applicants notified

For Strategic Partnerships:

• Negotiated directly with the Trust or by invitation
• Contact the Trust directly at charitable.trust@man.com

Required Documentation

Organizations must have:

• Written constitution
• Management committee of at least 3 unrelated members
• Recent accounts
• Organisational bank account
• Equal opportunities policy
• Safeguarding policy (if working with children or vulnerable adults)

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines are not publicly disclosed. The Trust considers grant applications periodically throughout the year. Shortlisted applicants for the Community Programme undergo site visits before final committee decisions.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed by the Trust.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy or waiting period is publicly stated. Contact the Trust directly for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

Geographic Priority: Community Programme grants are strictly limited to seven London boroughs. Organizations outside these areas should focus on the strategic partnership route or alternative funding opportunities.

Organizational Size: Strong preference for small to medium-sized charities, particularly those with income under £150,000. This positions smaller organizations favorably.

Clear Educational Focus: Projects must directly relate to literacy, numeracy, or broader educational access. The Trust uses specific language around “raising levels of education” - mirror this terminology in applications.

Measurable Impact: The Trust carefully monitors all grants to ensure progress against agreed objectives. Applications should include clear metrics and evaluation frameworks.

Current Funded Projects as Examples

The Trust currently supports organizations including:

• The Brilliant Club: Educational access programmes
• Greenhouse Sports: Sports activities and life skills
• First Story: Creative writing and literacy
• Read Easy: Adult literacy support
• MyBnk: Financial education for young people
• Refugee Education UK: Educational support for displaced young people

What They Look For

• Projects addressing disadvantage and exclusion
• Work with NEET young people
• Innovative approaches to literacy and numeracy
• Organizations with robust governance (required policies in place)
• Multi-year impact potential

Standing Out

1. Demonstrate governance strength: Have all required policies ready (safeguarding, equal opportunities)
2. Show clear educational outcomes: Connect all activities back to literacy, numeracy, or educational progression
3. Evidence local need: For Community Programme, demonstrate specific need in target borough
4. Budget transparency: Provide detailed breakdown of how funding will be spent
5. Include co-funding information: Show what other funding sources have been approached

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Location matters critically: Community Programme grants are strictly limited to seven London boroughs - do not apply if outside this area
• Size sweet spot: Organizations with income under £150,000 are prioritized - highlight this if applicable
• Education is the thread: Every activity must link back to literacy, numeracy, or educational access - make these connections explicit
• Two pathways available: Small grants through Capital Community Foundation (up to £7,500) or larger strategic partnerships through direct negotiation
• Policy compliance is non-negotiable: Ensure all governance requirements are met before applying (constitution, committee structure, safeguarding, equal opportunities)
• Impact measurement expected: The Trust monitors grants carefully - build evaluation frameworks into applications from the outset
• Rolling applications: No fixed deadlines for Community Programme means you can apply when ready, but competition may be high
• Employee engagement opportunity: Man Group employee involvement may strengthen partnerships - explore if relevant

References

1. Man Group Corporate Sustainability webpage (https://www.man.com/corporate-sustainability) -
2. UK Charity Commission Register - Man Group PLC Charitable Trust, Charity Number 275386 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/275386) -
3. LEAN (London East Arts Network) - Man Group plc Charitable Trust Community Programme Funding Opportunity (https://www.leanarts.org.uk/opportunities/man-group-plc-charitable-trust-community-programme-funding-opportunity/) -
4. Giving is Great - Man Group PLC Charitable Trust Factsheet (https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=275386) -
5. Bright Network - Man Charitable Trust profile (https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/man-charitable-trust/) -
6. Charity Commission financial accounts for financial years 2023 and 2024