Martin Geddes Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £223,766 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: Unknown minimum - estimated up to £10,000
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Founded: 2014

Contact Details

• Website: https://martingeddescharitabletrust.org
• Email: admin@martingeddescharitabletrust.org
• Phone: 01625 540850
• Charity Number: 1159776

Overview

The Martin Geddes Charitable Trust was established in 2014 in memory of Martin Geddes by his family and friends. The trust operates throughout England and Wales with the specific mission to support those affected by alcohol and other addictive substances. With total expenditure of £223,766 in the financial year ending August 2024 and total income of £225,660, the trust provides grants to organisations whose work aligns with their charitable objects. The trust is governed by six trustees, none of whom receive remuneration. The trust particularly focuses on supporting organisations that apply a twelve-step philosophy and treatment approach to addiction recovery.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant program with applications accepted via a downloadable application form available on their website. The application process appears to be on a rolling basis rather than fixed deadlines.

Example Grant: Hope and Vision Communities received £7,650 to continue work with men in recovery.

Priority Areas

The trust's charitable objects focus exclusively on:

• Protection and promotion of health of persons who suffer from, are in danger of suffering from, or are otherwise affected by drug or alcohol problems
• Twelve-step philosophy and treatment programs - the trust particularly (but not exclusively) supports organisations applying twelve-step approaches
• Support for those affected by addiction - including family members and loved ones of those with substance abuse issues
• Addiction to drugs, alcohol, solvents and other addictive substances

Organizations previously supported include:

• Fallen Angels Dance Theatre
• Genie in the Gutter
• Hebron Trust
• Action on Addiction
• New Note Orchestra
• Phoenix Futures
• Foundation for Change
• National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA)
• Hope and Vision Communities

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the trust's narrow charitable objects suggest they do not fund:

• Projects outside the addiction and substance abuse recovery field
• Work that does not align with supporting those affected by drug and alcohol problems
• Projects operating outside England and Wales

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by six trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust was founded by Martin Geddes' family and friends as a memorial charity.

Specific trustee names are available on the Charity Commission register but were not prominently featured in public materials reviewed.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Martin Geddes Charitable Trust operates a public application process:

1. Download the funding application form from the Dropbox link provided on their website (martingeddescharitabletrust.org)
2. Complete the application form with details about your organization and project
3. Email the completed form to admin@martingeddescharitabletrust.org

The application appears to operate on a rolling basis rather than fixed deadlines.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly stated. Applicants should inquire about expected timeframes when submitting their application.

Success Rates

No public information is available regarding the number of applications received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Organizations may wish to inquire about this when applying.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's stated mission and charitable objects, successful applications likely demonstrate:

• Clear alignment with twelve-step philosophy - While the trust funds other approaches, they particularly emphasize support for twelve-step programs. Organizations using this methodology should highlight it prominently.

• Focus on addiction recovery and support - Projects must directly address drug and alcohol problems and their impact on individuals and families.

• Demonstrated impact on beneficiaries - The example grant to Hope and Vision Communities specifically mentioned “work with men in recovery,” suggesting the trust values concrete descriptions of who will benefit.

• Work within England and Wales - The trust's geographic scope is limited to these regions.

• Supporting those affected by addiction - The trust's mission extends beyond those directly struggling with addiction to include family members and loved ones, broadening potential applicant types.

Organizations should frame their applications around the trust's core mission: protecting and promoting health of those suffering from or affected by drug and alcohol problems.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Twelve-step emphasis is key - While not exclusive, the trust specifically mentions supporting twelve-step philosophy programs; highlight this approach if your organization uses it
• Simple application process - Download form, complete, and email - making this an accessible funder for smaller organizations
• Focused mission - The trust has a narrow, clearly defined charitable purpose; applications outside addiction recovery will not be considered
• Memorial foundation - Understanding the trust was created in memory of Martin Geddes may help contextualize their compassionate approach to addiction
• Rolling applications - No fixed deadlines means organizations can apply when ready
• Family and friends supported - The trust's mission explicitly includes those “affected by” addiction, not just those directly suffering from it
• Contact encouraged - With limited public information, reaching out to admin@martingeddescharitabletrust.org for guidance before applying is advisable

References

• Martin Geddes Charitable Trust official website: https://martingeddescharitabletrust.org
• Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 1159776: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1159776
• Hope and Vision Communities grant announcement: https://hopeandvision.org.uk/blog/martin-geddes
• Find that Charity database entry: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1159776