Moto Foundation

Charity Number: 1111147

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £977,431 (charitable activities, 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Up to 8 weeks
  • Grant Range: £1,000 average (larger grants possible)
  • Geographic Focus: Local communities within 15-mile radius of 59 Moto service areas across UK

Contact Details

  • Website: www.motofoundation.co.uk / moto-way.com/about-us/moto-foundation
  • Email: motofoundation@moto-way.co.uk
  • Phone: 01525 878610 / 01525 878500
  • Pre-application: Contact required to identify Moto colleague endorsement

Overview

The Moto Foundation (charity number 1111147) was established in 2005 as Moto in the Community, rebranding to its current name in July 2022. As the charitable arm of Moto Hospitality Limited, the UK's largest motorway service area operator with 59 locations nationwide, the foundation has raised over £12 million since inception. In 2024, the foundation raised £1,211,081 and distributed £977,431 through charitable activities. The foundation focuses on supporting the 58 local communities around Moto service areas through community grants, school partnerships, and national charity collaborations. With 9 trustees and approximately 5,000 Moto employees contributing through fundraising and volunteering, the foundation operates with the core values of Corporate Citizenship, Adding Value, Relationships, and Employee Engagement (CARE). The foundation has provided over 1,200 community grants and delivered more than 280,000 books to adopted schools.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Programme

  • £1,000 average grant (with potential for larger awards based on application strength)
  • Rolling application basis
  • Requires Moto colleague endorsement
  • Up to 8-week decision timeline
  • 76 local charities supported in 2024

Schools Programme

  • Books to Schools initiative delivering 280,000+ books via Oxford University Press partnership
  • Network of 57 adopted schools across the UK
  • Young Author Competition (10 years running, 5,529 entries received) - winning school receives author workshop and £2,500

Priority Areas

  • Local community projects: Within 15-mile radius of any Moto service area
  • Education: School resources, literacy programmes, educational materials
  • Mental health: Partnership with Mind (England/Wales) and SAMH (Scotland)
  • Environmental conservation: Partnerships with Woodland Trust and WWT (Wildfowl and Wetland Trust)
  • Employee welfare: Benevolent fund for Moto colleagues experiencing hardship

What They Don't Fund

  • Religious or political promotion
  • Overseas projects
  • Organisations located outside the 15-mile radius of a Moto site
  • Applications without Moto colleague endorsement
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Louise Carrie Hughes - Chair (appointed September 2015)
  • Guy Latchem - Trustee (appointed May 2014)
  • Stephen Christopher Rac - Trustee (appointed November 2018)
  • Samantha Peacock - Trustee (appointed January 2022)
  • Robert James O'Connell - Trustee (appointed January 2023)
  • Amy Ruth Procter - Trustee (appointed January 2023)
  • Michael Peter Gorvin - Trustee (appointed October 2023)
  • Hayley Meakes - Trustee (appointed March 2024)
  • Roxanne Murphy - Trustee (appointed December 2024)

No trustees receive remuneration from the charity. The foundation is managed by 9 trustees who oversee strategic direction and grant-making decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Identify a Moto service area within 15 miles of your organisation
  2. Secure endorsement from a Moto colleague employed by Moto Hospitality Ltd (they do not need to be a formal volunteer)
  3. Review guidance notes available on the foundation website under 'Apply for funding'
  4. Complete online application form at moto-way.com/about-us/moto-foundation/grant-process/
  5. Receive acknowledgement email advising whether application will progress

Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Decision Timeline

  • Acknowledgement: Email confirmation upon submission
  • Decision time: Up to 8 weeks from submission to final decision
  • Notification method: Email communication from foundation office

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation awarded 76 grants to local charities in 2024, having provided over 1,200 community grants since 2005.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not explicitly stated. Contact the foundation office for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Key Considerations

Geographic connection: Organisations must be within 15-mile radius of a Moto service area. The foundation operates at 59 locations across the UK, providing broad geographic coverage but requiring local connection.

Moto colleague endorsement: This is a mandatory requirement that differentiates Moto Foundation from other funders. The colleague connection demonstrates community engagement and helps establish authenticity. The endorsing colleague does not need formal volunteer status but must consent to being included in the application.

Demonstrate partnership commitment: The foundation values “demonstration of commitment by both the Moto site and Partner” when considering larger grants above the £1,000 average.

Alignment with CARE values:

  • Corporate Citizenship - community benefit
  • Adding Value - measurable impact
  • Relationships - collaboration with Moto sites
  • Employee Engagement - opportunity for staff involvement

Recent Funding Examples

National partnerships (2024):

  • Mind: £550,000
  • SAMH: £30,000
  • Woodland Trust: Over £570,000 since 2017 (from carrier bag sales)
  • WWT: £50,000

Schools programme: 57 adopted schools receiving book bundles worth over £200,000 in 2024 (doubled for 20th anniversary)

Application Strength

The foundation emphasises reading guidance notes carefully and ensuring eligibility criteria are met. Applications are strengthened by:

  • Clear demonstration of local community impact
  • Strong connection to Moto site and endorsing colleague
  • Specific project costs and outcomes
  • Alignment with foundation's focus areas (education, mental health, environment, community development)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Secure colleague endorsement first: Before starting your application, identify and confirm support from a Moto employee. This is mandatory and non-negotiable.
  • Think local: The 15-mile radius requirement is strict. Identify your nearest Moto service area and articulate the local connection clearly.
  • Average grants are small but accessible: With £1,000 as the average, this is ideal for smaller community projects, equipment purchases, or pilot programmes rather than major capital projects.
  • Larger grants require demonstrated partnership: If seeking more than £1,000, emphasise the relationship with the local Moto site and how both parties are committed to the project's success.
  • Rolling applications reduce time pressure: Unlike funders with fixed deadlines, you can apply when ready, though allow 8 weeks for decision-making in project planning.
  • Schools are a priority: Educational organisations and school-related projects appear particularly well-aligned with foundation priorities given the extensive Books to Schools programme.
  • Read the guidance notes thoroughly: The foundation specifically advises taking time to review criteria and guidance before applying - this suggests applications are strengthened by demonstrating understanding of requirements.

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