Marmot Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £368,464 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Variable - trustees meet twice annually, but fast-track decisions made between meetings
• Grant Range: Up to £25,000
• Geographic Focus: UK and international (with preference for national/international reach)

Contact Details

Address: Bevis Gillett, Secretary, The Marmot Charitable Trust, BM Marmot, London WC1N 3XX

Phone: 07707 996 220

Note: The trust does not have a website. Further information is available on the Charity Commission website.

Overview

The Marmot Charitable Trust was founded in 2004 (charity number 1106619) and operates as a grant-making charity with 2 trustees. In the financial year ending April 2024, the trust had total income and expenditure of £384,780, with £368,464 distributed in grants during 2023. The trust is a member of both the Association of Charitable Foundations and the Environmental Funders Network. The trust's mission focuses on two key strategic areas: funding green initiatives working towards a sustainable future, and supporting peace and security efforts that seek to reduce international conflict, including by the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons. Important: The trust has announced plans to spend out over the next 2-3 years with a view to ending its grant-making activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Single Grant Stream: Grants of up to £25,000 available on a rolling basis
• Applications accepted at any time in writing, with no fixed deadlines

Priority Areas

Environmental Sustainability (approximately 67% of grant distribution):

• Green initiatives working towards a sustainable future
• Environmental projects with demonstrable impact

Peace and Security (approximately 25% of grant distribution):

• Projects seeking to reduce international conflict
• Initiatives working towards the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons

Other Charitable Purposes (approximately 8% of grant distribution):

• General charitable purposes at trustees' discretion

Eligibility

• UK registered charities only
• Organizations working in the UK and/or overseas
• Preference indicated for organizations with national or international reach rather than local causes

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, the strong focus on environmental sustainability and peace/security suggests projects outside these areas are less likely to succeed.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Martin Bevis Gillett (appointed 2004, also serves as Secretary)
• Jonathan Nicholas Gillett

The trust operates with a lean governance structure - no trustees receive remuneration, there are no employees with benefits over £60,000, and there are no trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications may be made at any time in writing with no specific deadlines. Applications should be addressed to:

Bevis Gillett, Secretary

The Marmot Charitable Trust

BM Marmot

London WC1N 3XX

The trust does not have a website or online application portal. All applications must be submitted in writing to the postal address above.

Decision Timeline

The Trustees meet twice annually to review policy, governance issues, and make grant decisions. However, fast-track decisions on grant applications are made between meetings where appropriate, allowing for more responsive funding decisions throughout the year.

Given the bi-annual meeting schedule, applicants can expect decisions within 6 months at most, though fast-track applications may receive faster responses.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. Grant recipients are listed on pages 10-11 of the trust's annual accounts, which can be accessed via the Charity Commission website.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Given the trust's plans to wind down operations over the next 2-3 years, potential applicants should submit applications as soon as possible.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's documented priorities and funding patterns:

1. Strategic Alignment: Applications should clearly demonstrate alignment with one of the two core priority areas (environmental sustainability or peace/security). Approximately two-thirds of funding goes to environmental projects, suggesting a stronger weighting toward this area.

1. Scale and Reach: The trust appears to prefer organizations with national or international reach rather than purely local causes. Applications should emphasize broader impact beyond local communities.

1. Nuclear Disarmament Focus: Within the peace and security category, there is a specific emphasis on “the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons” - organizations working on nuclear disarmament appear particularly well-aligned.

1. Timing: With the trust planning to spend out over 2-3 years, applications submitted sooner are more likely to be considered before the trust ceases grant-making.

1. Charitable Status: Only UK registered charities are eligible - this is a firm requirement.

1. Simple Application Process: The written application format suggests the trust values clear, concise proposals rather than extensive documentation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Act quickly: The trust is winding down and will cease grant-making within 2-3 years - submit applications as soon as possible
• Focus on environmental projects: Two-thirds of grants support environmental sustainability initiatives
• Think beyond local: Demonstrate national or international reach and impact
• Nuclear disarmament angle: If working on peace/security, emphasize nuclear weapons elimination aspects
• Keep it simple: Written applications to a postal address suggest straightforward, clear proposals are preferred
• No website means limited guidance: Minimal public information available - consider reviewing funded projects on Charity Commission accounts for insights
• Fast-track available: Some applications receive expedited decisions between bi-annual trustee meetings

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Susanna Peake Charitable Trust
• The Ancaster Trust
• Henry and Rebecca Tinsley Charitable Trust
• The Danson Foundation
• Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation
• The Bay Tree Charitable Trust
• THE E AND N WATSON CHARITY
• The Atherton Family Charitable Trust
• Educational and General Charitable Trust
• Edwin Fox Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities, “MARMOT CHARITABLE TRUST - 1106619”: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1106619&subid=0
• Bath and North East Somerset Council, “The Marmot Charitable Trust” funding information: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/89430
• PAVO (Preston Area Voluntary Organisations), “THE MARMOT CHARITABLE TRUST” funder profile: https://www.pavo.org.uk/news/the-marmot-charitable-trust/
• Giving is Great, “MARMOT CHARITABLE TRUST | Charity Factsheet”: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1106619