Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £688,526 (2023/24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (applications vastly exceed awards)
• Decision Time: 2-3 months (applications reviewed twice yearly)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: Wales only

Contact Details

Website: www.millenniumstadiumtrust.org.uk

Email: info@millenniumstadiumtrust.org.uk

Phone: 029 2002 2143

Application Portal: msctapp.azurewebsites.net

Administrator: Sarah Fox, Fox SE Consultancy

Overview

The Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust was established on February 8, 2001, through an agreement between The Millennium Stadium plc and the Millennium Commission. The Trust operates as an independent charitable foundation with a unique funding model—income is generated through a levy of £0.25 or 1% (whichever is greater) on every ticket sold for public events at the Millennium Stadium. In the financial year ending March 2024, the Trust had total income of £505,055 and distributed £688,526 in charitable expenditure. Since inception, the Trust has distributed over £2 million to more than 500 individual projects across Wales. The Trust's mission focuses on improving the quality of life of people who live and work in Wales, particularly promoting education, history, language, culture, music, and folklore, with special emphasis on those who face discrimination or disadvantage. All funds distributed by the Trust remain in Wales, regardless of the type of event held at the Stadium. The Trust is administered by a board of voluntary trustees representing diverse sectors throughout Wales including sport, community, business, youth groups, the arts, and the environment. No trustees receive any remuneration, ensuring maximum funds reach beneficiaries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates two distinct grant schemes based on geographic reach:

• Local Grants: £5,000 maximum for organisations serving their local community or town
• Regional Grants: £10,000 maximum for organisations serving a region of Wales or local authority-wide area

Applications are submitted through an online portal on a fixed-deadline basis. Trustees meet twice yearly to review applications, with decisions typically made 2-3 months after the closing date.

Priority Areas

The Trust funds projects in four categories: Arts, Community, Environment, and Sport

Priority given to:

• Organisations working in disadvantaged communities
• Youth programmes
• Volunteer-based projects
• Creative arts projects for disadvantaged individuals
• Community initiatives tackling social and economic barriers
• Environmental projects including recycling and green spaces
• Projects serving ethnic minorities and people with disabilities
• Initiatives that demonstrate long-term impact beyond the funding period

Assessment Criteria:

• Quality of life improvement
• Evidence of knowledge and need
• Passion and value for money
• Leaving a legacy
• Life exchanges
• Working with disadvantaged people

What They Don't Fund

The Trust explicitly excludes:

• Projects outside Wales
• Day-to-day running costs, salaries, core costs, or overheads “in any guise”
• Payment of debts or overdrafts
• Retrospective grant requests
• Requests from individuals
• Profit-making organisations
• Applications solely from local authorities (though voluntary groups partnering with authorities are eligible)
• Projects seeking to redistribute grant funds to third-party organisations
• Religious or political groups

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a board of voluntary trustees selected throughout Wales to represent diverse sectors including sport, community, business, youth groups, the arts, and the environment. All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits.

Chairman: Tom Jones OBE has been identified as Chairman, noting in 2007: “The Trust has now been able to distribute £2 million to more than 500 individual projects.”

The Trust emphasizes its independence and all-Wales commitment: “The Trust is an all Wales organisation and regardless of the public event being held at the Stadium, all funds distributed by the Trust are spent in Wales.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online applications only through msctapp.azurewebsites.net

• Use a PC or Mac rather than a phone for optimal experience
• Applications must be “concise and project specific”
• Photographic evidence of project outcomes should be provided
• Proactively address potential queries to avoid trustee follow-up

Application Requirements:

• Demonstrate proper organizational structure (charitable, voluntary, or not-for-profit)
• Prove geographical classification (local vs. regional remit)
• Show evidence of need and past success
• Calculate cost per beneficiary to demonstrate value for money
• Explain long-term impact beyond the 12-month funding period
• Secure additional funding if project costs exceed the maximum grant amount

Decision Timeline

Process:

1. Applications accepted with fixed closing dates (twice yearly)
2. Trustees review applications approximately 2-3 months after closing
3. Decisions made on trustee meeting date
4. Successful applicants receive offer letters with terms and conditions
5. Funds released after signed agreement returned
6. Projects must be completed within 12 months of grant award
7. End of Project Report required upon completion

Recent Timeline Example: Applications closing September 15, 2023, were considered by trustees in November 2023.

Success Rates

The Trust explicitly states that “the number of applications that the Trust receives vastly exceeds the awards that can be made.” Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. From inception through 2007, the Trust distributed £2 million to over 500 projects. In 2023/24, total charitable expenditure was £688,526.

Decisions are final with no appeal process or correspondence about individual outcomes.

Reapplication Policy

If Successful: Organisations cannot reapply for three years from the grant offer date.

If Unsuccessful: Organisations may reapply one year after receiving the rejection email.

Application Success Factors

Key Requirements for Strong Applications

1. Demonstrate Value for Money: Calculate and clearly present cost per beneficiary. The Trust prioritizes efficient use of funds.

1. Focus on Disadvantage: Emphasize how your project serves communities or individuals facing disadvantage, discrimination, or barriers. The Trust explicitly prioritizes work with marginalized populations.

1. Long-term Legacy: Explain impacts extending beyond the initial 12-month funding period. The Trust values sustainable outcomes.

1. Evidence-Based Need: Provide proof of need and demonstrate past success. Back claims with data and examples.

1. Capital Projects Only: Remember that operational costs, salaries, and overheads are strictly excluded. Focus on capital purchases and project-specific expenses.

1. Geographic Clarity: Clearly establish whether your organization operates at local or regional level, as this determines grant amount eligibility.

1. Concise Applications: Keep submissions focused and project-specific. Include photographic evidence where possible.

1. Volunteer Emphasis: Highlight volunteer involvement, as the Trust specifically values volunteer-based projects.

Recent Funded Project Example

Paul Sartori Foundation (Pembrokeshire) received £3,024.50 for their hospice at home Equipment Service. The grant funded specific capital items: double mattress overlays, bed bumpers, side rails, grab rails, wheeled shower commodes, and mattress covers—demonstrating the Trust's focus on tangible equipment purchases that directly benefit disadvantaged individuals.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Including any operational costs, salaries, or overheads in the budget
• Vague descriptions lacking specific outcomes or beneficiary numbers
• Failing to demonstrate work with disadvantaged communities
• Not providing evidence of organizational track record
• Missing the geographic classification (local vs. regional)
• Using a mobile phone to complete the application (technical issues may arise)
• Submitting retrospective requests for already-completed work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Capital-only focus: Structure your entire budget around equipment, materials, and tangible project costs. Any hint of operational costs will disqualify your application.

1. Disadvantage is paramount: The Trust prioritizes organizations serving communities facing the greatest disadvantage. Make your work with marginalized populations central to your narrative.

1. Cost-effectiveness matters: Calculate and prominently display your cost per beneficiary. Demonstrate maximum impact for the funding requested.

1. Competition is intense: Applications vastly exceed available funding. Your application must be compelling, evidence-based, and tightly focused.

1. Three-year exclusion period: Plan strategically—if successful, you cannot reapply for three years. Make your project substantial enough to sustain impact during this period.

1. No dialogue about decisions: There is no appeal process and no feedback provided. Ensure your initial application is complete and addresses all criteria.

1. All-Wales commitment: Emphasize how your project benefits Welsh communities and aligns with Welsh cultural priorities (language, heritage, folklore) where relevant.

References

• Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust official website: https://www.millenniumstadiumtrust.org.uk/
• Regional/Local Grant Guidelines: https://www.millenniumstadiumtrust.org.uk/regionallocal-grant-guidelines/
• Notice to Applicants: https://www.millenniumstadiumtrust.org.uk/apply/
• Charity Commission Register, Charity No. 1086596: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3981353
• Financial data for year ending 31 March 2024 from Charity Commission
• CWVYS Funding Information: https://www.cwvys.org.uk/millennium-stadium-charitable-trust/
• GVS Meet the Funder: https://www.gvs.wales/news/meet-the-funder-the-millennium-stadium-trust
• Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Stadium_Charitable_Trust
• Paul Sartori Foundation grant announcement: https://paulsartori.org/millennium-stadium-charitable-trust-supports-paul-sartori-hospice-at-home/