Marjorie Coote Animal Charity Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £149,900 (2023)
• Annual Income: £176,248 (2024)
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (typically)
• Application Window: September only
• Decision Time: Autumn (applications reviewed at Annual Trustees Meeting)
• Geographic Focus: UK and overseas
• Charity Number: 208493

Contact Details

Address: End Cottage, Terrington, York YO60 6PU

Email: admin@mcacharity.org.uk

Phone: 01759 322102

Website: neillcharities.com/mcac

Overview

The Marjorie Coote Animal Charity Trust was established by Marjorie Wike Coote in 1954 and is part of the Neill Charities family of four grant-making trusts. The Trust operates with a clear strategic focus, concentrating resources on research into animal health problems and species protection, while applying a smaller proportion of income to general animal welfare. The Trust's governing document, a Deed of Settlement from 1954, was amended in November 2022. The Trust demonstrates consistent growth in its grant-making, increasing from £112,150 in 2021 to £149,900 in 2023. All trustees serve without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Ongoing Financial Support: Multi-year funding subject to annual review

• 2023: £61,900 distributed to 15 organisations (increased from £49,900 to 13 organisations in 2022)
• Provides sustained support for established beneficiaries

One-off Grants for Specific Projects: Typically up to £5,000

• 2023: 39 grants totalling £88,000 (compared to 47 grants totalling £89,660 in 2022)
• Available for organisations requiring funds for specific initiatives
• Applications considered annually in Autumn
• Urgent applications for specific projects may receive out-of-cycle consideration

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on:

• Research into animal health problems (primary focus)
• Species protection and conservation (primary focus)
• Active rehoming and rehabilitation programs
• Wildlife conservation and endangered species protection
• General animal welfare (smaller proportion of funding)
• Support for UK-registered charities working in the UK and/or overseas
• Care and protection of horses, dogs, cats, other animals, and birds

Named Beneficiaries

The Trust's founding document identifies five original beneficiary charities:

• P.D.S.A.
• Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
• International League for the Protection of Horses
• Ada Cole Memorial Stables
• The Society for the Protection of Animals in North Africa

What They Don't Fund

Lower Priority/Not Funded:

• Charities importing dogs or animals
• Organisations lacking realistic animal welfare policies
• Groups with disproportionate administrative spending
• Individual applicants (no grants to individuals)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• J P Holah (Mrs Jill Philippa Holah)
• Lady Neill DL (appointed 2007)
• N C Baguley (Mrs Nicola Catherine Baguley)
• S D Neill (Mrs Sarah Dorothy Neill)
• J M G Neill ACA
• S E Browne (Mrs SE Browne)

The board is entirely female and serves without remuneration. The Trust is part of the Neill Charities family, comprising four grant-making charities established by the Neill and Coote family.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Window: Applications must be submitted during the month of September only

Submission Method: Email to admin@mcacharity.org.uk

Application Requirements:

• No formal application form required
• Applications must not exceed 4 pages of A4 paper
• Must include current independently examined accounts
• UK-registered charities preferred

Out-of-Cycle Consideration: Appeals received outside September are normally deferred until the following Autumn, unless they require urgent consideration for a one-off grant for a specific project.

Decision Timeline

Review Process: Applications submitted in September are considered at the Annual Meeting of the Trustees in Autumn

Notification: The Trust meets in Autumn each year; specific notification timelines are not publicly documented

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Trust awarded:

• 2023: 54 total grants (15 ongoing + 39 one-off)
• 2022: 60 total grants (13 ongoing + 47 one-off)

Reapplication Policy

The Trust provides ongoing support subject to annual review, indicating that successful applicants can receive multi-year funding. Information about reapplication for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

Strategic Priorities: The Trust explicitly states that it concentrates on research into animal health problems and species protection. Applications aligned with these priorities appear to receive primary consideration, with general animal welfare receiving a smaller proportion of funding.

Animal Welfare Policies: Organizations must demonstrate realistic animal welfare policies. The Trust gives lower priority to charities lacking such policies.

Financial Stewardship: Proportionate administrative spending is important. Organizations with disproportionate administrative costs receive lower priority.

Active Programs: The Trust favors active rehoming and rehabilitation programs, suggesting preference for organizations with direct intervention rather than purely advocacy-based work.

Legitimate Operations: Charities importing dogs or animals receive lower priority, suggesting the Trust prefers organizations working with animals in their natural or local environments.

Application Best Practices

Conciseness: With a strict 4-page limit, applications must be concise and focused. Prioritize clear articulation of:

• Specific animal health research or species protection objectives
• Measurable outcomes
• Financial accountability
• Active welfare programs

Current Financials: Including current independently examined accounts is essential, demonstrating financial transparency and good governance.

UK Registration: While the Trust supports work overseas, UK charity registration appears to be strongly preferred.

Project Specificity: One-off grants are for “specific projects,” suggesting applications should clearly define discrete, time-bound initiatives rather than general operational support (unless seeking ongoing support status).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply only in September: The application window is strictly limited to September; plan accordingly and don't expect out-of-cycle consideration unless truly urgent
• Prioritize research and conservation: Frame your work in terms of animal health research or species protection rather than general welfare for best alignment
• Keep it brief: 4-page maximum means every word counts; focus on outcomes, not process
• Multi-year potential exists: Strong applicants may receive ongoing support subject to annual review, not just one-off grants
• Up to £5,000 typical: While not a hard cap, most one-off grants appear to fall within this range
• Financial transparency matters: Disproportionate admin costs are a red flag; demonstrate lean, mission-focused operations
• UK registration preferred: While overseas work is supported, UK charity registration appears strongly preferred
• No generic welfare appeals: Distinguish your work through focus on research, species protection, or active rehabilitation programs

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Bernard Sunley Foundation
• P F Charitable Trust
• M J CAMP CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• The Shanly Foundation
• THE JEAN SAINSBURY ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST
• Clark Foundation
• THE IAN ASKEW CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Saintbury Trust
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• The Scottish Government
• Welsh Government
• THE ANIMAL DEFENCE TRUST
• THE PHILLIPS CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE ANCASTER TRUST
• THE JOHN YOUNG CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT
• HELP FUND
• Young Charitable Trust
• National Lottery

References

• The Marjorie Coote Animal Charity Trust - Neill Charities
• Charity Commission Register - MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST (208493)
• PAVO Funding News - The Marjorie Coote Animal Charity Trust
• OpenCharities - MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST
• Neill Charities