Market Harborough And The Bowdens Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £731,751 (expenditure year ending December 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies by program - from individual education/relief grants to £30,000+ for community projects
• Geographic Focus: Market Harborough, Great Bowden, and Little Bowden only

Contact Details

Address: 10 Fairfield Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9QQ

Phone: 01858 419128

Email: admin@mhbcharity.co.uk (or secretary1@mhbcharity.co.uk for specific inquiries)

Website: www.mhbcharity.co.uk

Pre-Application Support: The charity explicitly encourages applicants to contact them before or during the application process: “If you want to find out more before completing any of these applications or need help completing the form please phone us.”

Overview

Market Harborough and The Bowdens Charity is one of the oldest and largest charities in the Market Harborough area, with roots dating back to 1570. The charity was formally established in its current form in 1994 through the amalgamation of three historic charities: the Market Harborough Town Estate and Bates Charity, the Little Bowden Town Estate, and the Great Bowden (Town Lands) Charity. In 2020, the charity celebrated 450 years of community involvement. As an endowed charity, it holds investments in land, property, housing, equities, and cash, generating income of £483,807 annually (2024) to provide public benefit. The charity's annual expenditure of £731,751 demonstrates significant grant-making activity. Beyond grant-making, the charity also owns and operates 14 almshouses in Little Bowden, runs allotments on two sites, and maintains the historic Old Grammar School building. The charity is committed to changing lives for the better in the strictly defined geographic area of Market Harborough, Great Bowden, and Little Bowden.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity operates four distinct grant streams:

1. Community Project Grants

• For local organizations and community initiatives
• Recent example: £30,000 to Harborough Community Bus (2023) for wheelchair accessible minibus
• Previous large-scale initiative: £540,000 distributed to nine local schools (£20,000 per school annually, 2019-2022) for IT equipment, playgrounds, sports equipment, mental health support, and books
• Application method: Online application form available on website

2. Relief in Need Grants

• For individuals facing hardship through illness, disability, unemployment, or family problems
• Funds essential items: household appliances, furnishings, mobility equipment, clothing, school uniforms, travel costs to medical appointments
• Must be supported by a referrer (health professionals, social workers, care providers, Citizens Advice, etc.)
• Application method: Online form or contact via phone/email

3. Education Grants

• Primarily for undergraduates, with particular support for first-generation university students and those from low-income households
• Also available for vocational training (age 16+), apprenticeships, and college courses
• Limited postgraduate support (teacher training and NHS courses only; other postgraduate applications considered only in exceptional circumstances)
• Not typically for career change unless exceptional circumstances
• University applications open January to mid-April each year (applications for 2025-26 closed; 2026-27 open January 2026)
• College/apprenticeship applications accepted on rolling basis
• Family income and student maintenance loans considered when determining awards

4. Future Generations Fund

• Focus on young people and youth organizations
• Recent recipients: Harborough Youth and Community Trust, Emergency Cadets of Market Harborough, Inclusive Youth and Community Interest Company, HAB-Antibullying & Mental Health

Priority Areas

• Arts: Supporting cultural activities and creative programs
• Education: Student grants, school projects, learning initiatives
• Social Welfare: Community organizations providing support services
• Relief in Need: Direct support for individuals facing hardship
• Heritage: Preservation of local historic buildings and landmarks (e.g., £400,000 Old Grammar School restoration, St Dionysius church spire, town museum support)
• Amateur Sport: Sports equipment and facilities for community use
• Environment: Including allotment programs
• Mental Health: Increasingly prioritized, with support for organizations helping those battling mental health issues (e.g., seed funding for Harborough Medical Centre mental health facilitators)

What They Don't Fund

Relief in Need grants specifically exclude:

• Direct cash payments to individuals
• Debt repayment
• Retrospective payments for goods already purchased

Critical Geographic Restriction: The charity can ONLY fund individuals and organizations located in Market Harborough, Great Bowden, and Little Bowden. This is a fundamental requirement derived from the charity's historic trust deeds.

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 12 trustees who receive no remuneration or benefits. Key leadership includes:

John Feavyour - Chair of Trustees

Feavyour has emphasized the charity's community-focused mission: “As trustees our mission is to engage with the organisations and individuals who can benefit from the help that the charity can give. We are incredibly lucky in this community to have a legacy that enables us to support so many aspects of Harborough life.”

Regarding the schools funding program, he stated: “Head teachers chose to buy IT to equip classrooms with latest kit. It is also great to see playgrounds and the arts feature strongly in the list.”

On the Roman Way Community Centre opportunity (though ultimately unsuccessful), he noted: “The Roman Way site provides a real opportunity to provide long-term and sustainable support to many local groups.”

Adrian Trotter - Former Chairman

During his tenure, Trotter emphasized the charity's commitment to COVID-19 recovery: “We are here to support organisations and individuals as the community in Harborough works to bounce back from the impact of Covid-19.”

The charity employs staff to manage day-to-day operations, with no employees receiving remuneration exceeding £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The charity offers four distinct application pathways:

1. Community Project Grant: Online application form via website
2. Relief in Need Grant: Online form or direct contact; requires referrer support
3. Education Grant: Online registration portal (timing varies by program type)
4. Allotment Plot Application: Online form via website

Important: The charity strongly encourages pre-application contact for guidance. Applicants can call 01858 419128 or email admin@mhbcharity.co.uk before or during the application process.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed on the website or in available materials. Applicants should contact the charity directly for information about expected timeframes for their specific grant type.

Education Grant Timeline: University student applications open in January each year with a mid-April deadline. College and apprenticeship applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Payment Requirements: Existing education grant recipients must have tutors confirm enrollment by December 31st (sent to secretary2@mhbcharity.co.uk) to receive second-semester payments.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The charity encourages direct contact to discuss eligibility and likelihood of success before applying.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is stated in publicly available materials. Prospective applicants should contact the charity directly to discuss reapplication possibilities.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Priorities to Align With

Based on recent funding patterns and trustee statements, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Local Impact: Projects must demonstrably benefit residents of Market Harborough, Great Bowden, or Little Bowden
2. Community Engagement: The charity values projects that engage multiple community members or organizations
3. Sustainability: Recent funding includes emphasis on “long-term and sustainable support”
4. Innovation in Traditional Areas: The schools program funded “imaginative projects outside the core activities funded by the local authority”
5. Mental Health Focus: Increasingly prioritized as a funding area
6. Support for Vulnerable Groups: First-generation university students, low-income households, individuals facing hardship

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

• Harborough Community Bus: £30,000 for wheelchair accessible minibus (2023)
• Nine Local Schools: £20,000 each annually for three years (2019-2022) for IT equipment, interactive whiteboards, E-Safety software, sports and music equipment, social and mental health support, books, and playgrounds
• Old Grammar School: £400,000 restoration (2014)
• HAB-Antibullying & Mental Health: Grant covering CUBE rental and activities for 12 months of drop-in sessions
• Harborough Medical Centre: Seed funding for mental health facilitators
• VASL (Voluntary Action South Leicestershire): Multiple grants for mental wellbeing activities

Language and Approach

The charity uses accessible, community-focused language emphasizing:

• “Changing lives for the better”
• “Supporting the community”
• “Helping people in times of trouble”
• “Engaging with organizations and individuals who can benefit”

Education Grant Specific Advice

The charity “particularly wish[es] to support those who are the first in their families to go into higher education or are from low income households.” Education grant applicants should clearly state if they meet these criteria and provide details about family income and student maintenance loans, as these factors influence award decisions.

Relief in Need Specific Advice

Applications must be supported by a referrer from recognized organizations (health professionals, social workers, care providers, housing associations, Citizens Advice, Beacon Care & Advice). Direct applications without referrer support are unlikely to succeed.

Community Project Advice

The charity has demonstrated willingness to fund:

• Capital purchases (vehicles, equipment)
• Building improvements and restorations
• Long-term program support (12-month funding cycles)
• Large-scale initiatives (£20,000-£30,000+ range)

Projects should demonstrate how they fill gaps not covered by statutory funding or support aspects of community life beyond core local authority responsibilities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Geographic eligibility is absolute: If your organization or beneficiaries are not located in Market Harborough, Great Bowden, or Little Bowden, do not apply. The charity cannot legally fund projects outside this area.

1. Pre-application contact is encouraged and welcomed: The charity explicitly invites applicants to phone or email before applying. Use this opportunity to gauge fit and gather guidance.

1. Think beyond maintenance funding: The charity has shown preference for “imaginative projects” that go beyond routine operations - equipment purchases, new initiatives, capital projects, and innovative programs.

1. Mental health is a growing priority: Recent statements indicate increased allocation to mental health projects. Organizations working in this space should highlight this alignment.

1. Education applicants should emphasize need factors: First-generation university students and those from low-income households receive priority. Clearly communicate these factors if applicable.

1. Relief in Need requires third-party support: Individual applicants must work through a referrer organization. Direct applications without professional support are not accepted.

1. The charity values heritage and community assets: Significant historical funding for Old Grammar School, church spire, and museum demonstrates long-term commitment to preserving local heritage alongside contemporary community needs.

References

• Market Harborough & The Bowdens Charity official website: https://www.mhbcharity.co.uk/
• Grant Applications page: https://www.mhbcharity.co.uk/grant-applications/
• Education Grants page: https://www.mhbcharity.co.uk/education-grants/
• Relief in Need page: https://www.mhbcharity.co.uk/help-in-times-of-trouble/
• UK Charity Commission Register - Charity 1157787: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1157787&subid=0
• “Half a million invested in local schools”: https://www.mhbcharity.co.uk/half-a-million-pounds-invested-in-local-schools/
• “New Community Bus” announcement: https://www.mhbcharity.co.uk/new-community-bus/
• Active Together funding database entry: https://www.active-together.org/fundingfinder/117
• Harborough Mail: "One of the UK's oldest charities based in Harborough is pledging to help the town roar back from the coronavirus pandemic" (2020)
• Harborough Mail: "Charity 'over the moon' as grant-giving organisation prepares potential community centre bid" (2024)
• Harborough Mail: “Harborough charity vows to support groups and organisations helping people battling mental health issues” (2021)
• “The Old Grammar School, Market Harborough: Restoration Project” - WW Brown and Sons (2014)