Millimetres 2 Mountains Foundation Cio

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £224,959 (2023)
• Success Rate: Approximately 5-10% (8 beneficiary places from applications received)
• Decision Time: 2 months (applications close mid-October, decisions in December)
• Grant Range: £250 - £5,000 (community grants); up to £1,000 (individual development grants)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Website: www.millimetres2mountains.org

Email: LOISJACKSON@MILLIMETRES2MOUNTAINS.ORG

Phone: 07398870008

Pre-Application Support: Applicants can contact the charity to discuss whether the programme is right for them and can speak with current beneficiaries about their experiences.

Overview

Millimetres 2 Mountains Foundation CIO (registered March 2020, charity number 1188562) was founded by Ed Jackson, former professional rugby player, alongside his wife Lois Jackson and ex-England international Olly Barkley. After Ed sustained a spinal cord injury in 2017 that left him paralyzed, his journey to climbing mountains inspired the charity's mission. With an annual expenditure of approximately £225,000 (2023), M2M relieves the needs of those who have suffered from mental or physical illness or disability through grant funding that enables them to participate in outdoor challenges and trips that assist their recovery. The charity operates an “inch-wide, mile-deep” approach centered on life coaching, supporting beneficiaries over a three-year development programme. The organization received recognition through the UK Points of Light awards for giving people with physical and mental difficulties confidence in their abilities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Development Programme Grants: Fully-funded package (application opens September 1 - October 14, rolling annual cycle)

• Global adventure challenge trips (fully funded: flights, transfers, insurance)
• Up to £1,000 development grants per beneficiary
• Three years of life coaching support
• Skills training, therapy, and physiotherapy funding
• Gym membership
• Training and kit bundles (up to £250)
• 50% lifetime discounts on M2M trips
• 8 beneficiary places available annually

Community Grants: £250 - £5,000 (application period January 7 - February 28, decisions by April 16)

• Supports established groups and charities doing outdoor work
• Focus on outdoor activities promoting physical and mental health
• Helps organizations continue and expand their work

Together Outdoors Community Grants: Smaller grants for individuals

• Available to Together Outdoors Community members
• Support for communal aspects of programmes
• Year-round events and meetups

Priority Areas

Who They Fund:

• Individuals facing mental or physical health challenges resulting from trauma
• People experiencing life transitions with uncertainty about moving forward
• Those demonstrating motivation to improve but unable to afford outdoor challenge participation or aftercare costs
• Established not-for-profit groups and charities in England and Wales
• Organizations working in “outdoors x physical/mental health” space
• Groups committed to “breaking down barriers to the outdoors”

What They Support:

• Outdoor challenges and mountain trips for recovery
• Life coaching and therapy
• Skills training and physiotherapy
• Career development and job retraining
• Outdoor group activities and events
• Community-based mental health walks

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not documented publicly, but the charity's focus is strictly on:

• Physical or mental health challenges related to trauma or adversity
• England and Wales geographic area only
• Individuals 18 years or older
• Not-for-profit organizations (for community grants)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Euan Craig - Chairman
• Ed Jackson - Co-Founder & Trustee
• Olly Barkley - Trustee (ex-England international rugby player, co-founder)
• Ross Stirling - Trustee
• Andy Summers - Trustee
• Freya Dawson - Trustee
• Serena Guthrie MBE - Trustee
• Jonny Myers - Trustee

Key Staff

• Lois Jackson - Co-Founder (Operations & Events) - Qualified Life Coach with professional sport background
• Kimberly Ericksen - Charity Manager

Ambassadors

• Adam Raja
• Ebony Escalona
• Niall McCann
• Darren Edwards

Key Quote from Founder Ed Jackson: “The challenges that I have faced in the mountains have had a profound impact on my recovery both physically and mentally. However, I have also witnessed the effect that these trips have had on others. People arrive tentative, often not knowing each other or what to expect, they then leave only a matter of days later rejuvenated and inspired. It occurred to me that if these trips can have this effect on people who are in a good place then what sort of impact could they have on people who really need it.”

Note on Governance: No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The charity has no trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Individual Development Programme:

• Complete the application form yourself (applicants must take ownership of their development)
• Application window: September 1 - October 14 (annual cycle)
• Application questions available to preview in advance via shared document
• Applicants encouraged to be "thorough & honest" in responses
• Pre-application contact available to discuss programme fit
• Opportunity to speak with current beneficiaries before applying

Community Grants:

• Complete the “Community Grant Application Form” on website
• Application window: January 7 - February 28
• Must demonstrate alignment with M2M's “outdoors x physical/mental health” focus
• Show commitment to breaking down barriers to the outdoors
• Operate as not-for-profit organization or group
• Based in England or Wales
• Project execution scheduled for current year

Together Outdoors Grants:

• Join the Together Outdoors Community
• Apply for smaller grants tailored to individual needs
• Year-round availability

Decision Timeline

Individual Development Programme:

• Applications close: October 14
• Decisions announced: December
• Programme starts: January

Community Grants:

• Applications close: February 28
• Decisions announced: By April 16

Success Rates

Individual Development Programme: Approximately 5-10% success rate

• 8 beneficiary places available annually
• Typically receives dozens of applications
• However, no application is considered 'unsuccessful' - those not selected as full beneficiaries still receive advice and support through M2M's connections and partner charities, plus invitations to open events

Community Grants: Not disclosed publicly

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated, but the charity emphasizes that unsuccessful applicants for the Individual Development Programme can:

• Join the Together Outdoors Community for alternative support
• Access partner charity connections
• Attend open events
• Potentially reapply in subsequent years (implied but not confirmed)

Application Success Factors

For Individual Development Programme:

1. Demonstrate Genuine Need: The charity looks for individuals facing mental or physical health challenges resulting from trauma who demonstrate motivation to improve but cannot afford participation costs.

1. Take Ownership: Applicants must complete the form themselves - this is emphasized as critical to “taking ownership of their development.” The charity values personal agency in the application process.

1. Be Thorough and Honest: M2M explicitly requests responses that are "thorough & honest" - authenticity is valued over polished applications.

• Facing adversity with mental/physical health impacts
• Experiencing life transitions with uncertainty
• Showing motivation to improve
• Financial need
• Age 18+

1. Understand the Commitment: The programme is a three-year development journey, not just a trip - successful applicants understand and are ready for this commitment.

1. Expert Review Process: Applications are reviewed by “a trusted board of experts using decades of experience” who assess how best to support each applicant.

For Community Grants:

1. Clear Alignment: Activities must clearly align with M2M's “outdoors x physical/mental health” focus.

1. Barrier Breaking: Demonstrate commitment to “breaking down barriers to the outdoors” - accessibility and inclusivity are key.

1. Established Track Record: Grants support “established groups and charities” - show you're already doing the work and need funds to continue/expand.

1. Concrete Plans: Project execution must be scheduled for the current year - no hypothetical projects.

1. Regional Fit: Must be based in England or Wales and serve these areas.

Impact Evidence: The charity notes that beneficiaries “arrive tentative, often not knowing each other or what to expect, they then leave only a matter of days later rejuvenated and inspired.” They value transformational potential over perfect circumstances.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Limited but Meaningful Opportunities: With only 8 beneficiary places annually, competition is intense for the flagship programme, but community grants offer additional access points.

• Three-Year Commitment Model: M2M's “inch-wide, mile-deep” approach means they invest heavily in fewer beneficiaries over three years rather than supporting many people superficially.

• No Application is Wasted: Even unsuccessful applicants receive support through partner connections and event invitations - applying creates relationship potential regardless of outcome.

• Authenticity Over Polish: The emphasis on applicants completing forms themselves and being "thorough & honest" suggests the charity values genuine stories over perfectly crafted applications.

• Multi-Entry Points: If unsuccessful for the main programme, the Together Outdoors Community and Community Grants provide alternative ways to access support.

• Personal Connection Encouraged: The charity actively encourages pre-application contact and conversations with current beneficiaries - relationship-building is welcomed, not discouraged.

• Outdoor + Mental Health Nexus: All funding streams center on the intersection of outdoor activities and mental/physical health recovery - proposals must clearly demonstrate both elements.

References

• Charity Commission Register - MILLIMETRES 2 MOUNTAINS FOUNDATION CIO
• Millimetres 2 Mountains Official Website - Foundation
• Millimetres 2 Mountains - Community Grants
• Millimetres 2 Mountains - Apply Now
• Millimetres 2 Mountains - Team
• Millimetres 2 Mountains - Our Story
• World Rugby - Millimetres to Mountains Interview
• Points of Light UK - Millimetres 2 Mountains
• Giving is Great - Charity Factsheet

All sources.