Michael Guest Charitable Foundation

Charity Number: 1154653

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

Stay updated on changes from Michael Guest Charitable Foundation and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~£241,870 (FY 2023/24 expenditure)
  • Grant Range: £2,000 - £10,000 (larger grants in exceptional circumstances)
  • Geographic Focus: Kettering/Northamptonshire priority; UK-wide considered
  • Application Method: Rolling basis via email/post
  • Registered Charity Number: 1154653

Contact Details

Overview

The Michael Guest Charitable Foundation was established in 2013 by Michael Guest, a qualified electrician who worked with machinery in shoe factories in and around Kettering, Northamptonshire. The Foundation supports UK registered charities by making grants for both specific projects and general purposes. Michael passed away in 2020, but the Foundation continues under the stewardship of five trustees who carry forward his legacy and wishes.

The Foundation experienced significant growth in recent years, with income reaching £248,400 in FY 2022/23 and expenditure of £241,870 in FY 2023/24. The charity celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023 and marked the occasion by launching a volunteer celebration initiative to recognize volunteers working with the charities they support. Hannah Shepherd, Chair of Trustees, actively visits grant recipients to maintain close connections with beneficiary organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Standard Grants: £2,000 - £10,000 for specific projects or general purposes
  • Exceptional Grants: Larger grants may be considered in exceptional circumstances
  • Application Method: Rolling basis - applications accepted throughout the year via email or post

Priority Areas

  • Local causes: Strong priority given to charities operating in Kettering and the wider Northamptonshire area
  • UK-wide charities: Applications from across the UK are accepted, though local causes are prioritized
  • Both project funding and general purposes: The Foundation supports specific projects as well as general charitable operations
  • Charities addressing socioeconomic barriers faced by disadvantaged communities

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations that are not UK registered charities
  • Non-charitable purposes
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Michael Guest Charitable Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is led by five trustees, none of whom receive remuneration:

Hannah Shepherd (Chair) - Appointed October 2018

Chair of Trustees and goddaughter of Michael Guest. Hannah oversees grant application reviews and actively meets with charity representatives in Northamptonshire to connect the Foundation with local needs. She is a qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse who has worked in busy vet practices since 1995. Outside of work, she volunteers for wildlife protection and conservation.

Charles Marment - Appointed October 2013

One of the Foundation's original trustees, having joined alongside Michael Guest at the charity's inception. Charles manages the Foundation's investment portfolio to secure funding necessary for grant-making. He also serves as trustee for two other charities.

Lydia Marie Shepherd - Appointed November 2020

Works closely with Hannah to review grant proposals and research charities. Having grown up in Kettering with a passion for supporting local causes, Lydia focuses on driving solutions to socioeconomic barriers faced by disadvantaged communities across the UK.

Susana Patten - Appointed March 2023

Joined with family history in the Kettering area.

Kathryn Denise Walshaw - Appointed March 2024

The newest trustee. Originally from Peterborough, Kathryn has lived and worked in and around Kettering for over 15 years and works in accountancy.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Submit a short written application to the contact details provided. The Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Your application should include:

  1. Your charitable purposes
  2. Your work completed to date
  3. The specific project requiring funding (if applicable)

Applications can be sent via:

  • Email: nmaher@wilsonbrowne.co.uk
  • Post: Contact Wilson Browne Solicitors for postal address

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a UK registered charity
  • Charities in Kettering/Northamptonshire area are prioritized
  • UK-wide charities are considered

Decision Timeline

The Foundation operates on a rolling basis. Specific decision timelines are not published, but applications are reviewed by trustees Hannah Shepherd and Lydia Shepherd who work together to assess proposals and research applicant charities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and approach:

  1. Local connection: Applications from charities operating in Kettering and Northamptonshire receive priority consideration. Michael Guest “always liked to support local causes” and this remains a guiding principle.
  1. Clear charitable purpose: Articulate your charitable purposes clearly and explain how your work benefits communities.
  1. Track record: Include information about your work so far - the Foundation wants to understand what you have achieved.
  1. Specific project detail: If applying for project funding, provide clear details about the specific project requiring support.
  1. Registered charity status: You must be a UK registered charity - this is a fundamental eligibility requirement.
  1. Community impact: Trustees have a focus on charities addressing socioeconomic barriers faced by disadvantaged communities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Local charities have an advantage: While UK-wide applications are accepted, Kettering and Northamptonshire charities are prioritized - this was explicitly Michael Guest's preference
  • Keep applications concise: The Foundation requests “short” applications - focus on key information rather than lengthy narratives
  • Cover the three essentials: Charitable purposes, work to date, and specific project needs (if applicable)
  • Rolling applications: No fixed deadlines - you can apply at any time throughout the year
  • Grant size expectations: Standard grants are £2,000-£10,000; only expect larger amounts in genuinely exceptional circumstances
  • Relationship-building: The Chair actively visits grant recipients, suggesting the Foundation values ongoing relationships with beneficiaries
  • No government funding: The Foundation operates entirely from its own resources and investment income

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References

Accessed: December 2025