R W Mann Trust

Charity Number: 1095699

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M
Geographic Focus: Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne City, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland ... [1 more]

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £150,000 - £210,000 (estimated based on recent years)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Maximum 4 weeks
  • Grant Range: £500 - £5,000
  • Average Grant: £1,000
  • Geographic Focus: North Tyneside, East Newcastle, South East Northumberland (no grants south of River Tyne)

Contact Details

Address: John L Hamilton OBE, DL, R W Mann Trust, PO Box 119, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4WF

Email: rwmanntrust57@gmail.com

Phone: 0191 284 2158

Website: www.rwmanntrust.org.uk

Note: The office is not always manned and telephone calls may not be answered immediately. Email is the preferred contact method.

Overview

The R W Mann Trust is an endowed, grant-making charitable trust established in 1957 by Dr. Reginald W Mann OBE, DCL (1898-1991) and his wife Margery through a gift of shares from Victor Products (Wallsend) Ltd. Dr. Mann co-founded the electrical mining equipment company in 1929 with Harold Crofton. Following the company's London Stock Exchange listing in 1955, Mann donated shares to create the trust, embodying his commitment to returning success to the region that supported his business growth. Since 1955, the Trust has made grants exceeding £4 million. In the financial year ended 31 March 2018, the trust distributed £150,067 to 140 groups, averaging £1,072 per grant. The Trust's philosophy centers on the “multiplier effect”—enabling small local charities to mobilize volunteers and create disproportionately positive community impacts. Dr. Mann received an OBE in 1958 for industrial services, the Freedom of Wallsend in 1972, and an honorary doctorate from Newcastle University in 1983.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single grant program on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. Applications are accepted year-round via email or post.

  • Small Community Grants: £500 - £5,000 (average £1,000)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis, email applications accepted (maximum 4 pages)

Priority Areas

Geographic Focus:

  • East Newcastle city
  • North Tyneside
  • Cramlington
  • Ashington
  • Blyth
  • South East Northumberland
  • Trustees may consider organizations within a few miles of this area where there is real need for support
  • No grants are made south of the River Tyne

Priority Beneficiary Groups:

  • Youth groups (uniformed and non-uniformed)
  • Children and young people
  • People with disabilities
  • Older persons
  • Schools and colleges
  • Councils for voluntary services
  • Advice providers
  • Community groups and registered charities

Priority Criteria:

  • Local management and leadership
  • Assistance to those with greatest need
  • Inclusion of disadvantaged/minority groups
  • Community quality-of-life improvements
  • Public interest focus
  • Organizations demonstrating exceptional community value or innovation

What They Don't Fund

The Trust explicitly excludes:

  • Individuals (grants only to organizations)
  • Community Interest Companies (CICs)
  • Large national charities (except local projects)
  • Church buildings (unless used for community groups)
  • Projects competing with public funding sources
  • Already-incurred deficits
  • Statutory funding replacement
  • Projects south of the River Tyne
  • Medical research
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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

  • Chairman of Trustees: Judy Hamilton (Dr. Mann's niece, serving since 1990)
  • Secretary: John L Hamilton OBE, DL

Board Composition: The Trust has 3 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Historical Leadership: Dr. R W Mann served as chairman from the Trust's founding in 1957 until 1990. He maintained longstanding community involvement, including chairing the Tyneside Productivity Committee and Whitley Bay Council of Social Service. In 1986, the Trust notably backed the St Mary's Lighthouse Appeal.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

No Official Application Form - The Trust aims to keep the process as simple as possible.

Submission Methods:

  • Email (preferred): Applications up to 4 pages can be sent to rwmanntrust57@gmail.com
  • Post: Send to John L Hamilton OBE, DL, R W Mann Trust, PO Box 119, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4WF (include an addressed envelope)

Required Information:

  • Organization aims and management structure
  • Registered charity number (or details of a registered charity willing to accept the grant on your behalf if not registered)
  • Project outline with aims and intended outcomes
  • Beneficiary details and number of people who will benefit
  • Funding amount needed and fundraising plans
  • Other grants applied for or received
  • Current funding status and steps to raise the balance
  • Recent accounts
  • Any supporting documentation

Important Notes:

  • Non-registered charities must have a registered charity willing to accept the grant on their behalf
  • The secretary may contact applicants to arrange a visit or request further information
  • Grant usage is restricted to approved purposes and non-transferable without written permission
  • The Trust welcomes brief reports or photographs showing how funds were spent and community benefits achieved

Decision Timeline

Timeline: Applicants will usually hear if their applications have been successful within a maximum of 4 weeks.

Process: Trustees hold regular meetings to review submissions.

Notification: Direct contact from the secretary.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, in the financial year ended 31 March 2018, the Trust made 140 grants totaling £150,067, indicating a high volume of grant-making activity relative to the Trust's size.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the Trust directly to inquire about reapplication procedures.

Application Success Factors

The R W Mann Trust embodies its founder's belief in the “multiplier effect” of small local charities. Based on the Trust's stated priorities and documented grants, successful applications should demonstrate:

Local Impact and Knowledge:

  • The Trust's founder believed that “local charities could mobilise the efforts of volunteers and knew best what needed to be done”
  • Show deep understanding of local community needs
  • Demonstrate local management and leadership
  • Evidence of volunteer involvement and community engagement

Supporting Those with Greatest Need:

  • Applications should clearly identify beneficiaries among disadvantaged groups
  • The Trust prioritizes organizations serving people with disabilities, older persons, children, youth, and marginalized communities
  • Demonstrate inclusion of disadvantaged/minority groups

Practical, Community-Focused Solutions:

  • The Trust favors pragmatic projects that improve quality of life
  • Focus on tangible community benefits rather than administrative overhead
  • Show how the grant will create disproportionate positive impact relative to the amount requested

Financial Realism:

  • Most grants range £500-£5,000 with an average of £1,000
  • Recent example: Old Low Light Heritage Centre received £4,000 in 2023 for running costs during financial challenges from reduced visitor numbers and cost of living pressures
  • Be realistic about what can be achieved with smaller grants
  • Clearly explain other funding sources and fundraising plans

Clear Communication:

  • Keep applications concise (maximum 4 pages for email submissions)
  • The Trust values simplicity and straightforward communication
  • Provide specific project outcomes and beneficiary numbers

Geographic Alignment:

  • Strict geographic focus on areas north of the River Tyne
  • Priority for North Tyneside, East Newcastle, South East Northumberland
  • Exceptional value or innovation may extend consideration to wider Tyne, Wear, Durham, and Northumberland areas

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Keep it simple and local: The Trust values straightforward, concise applications (maximum 4 pages) from organizations with deep local roots and knowledge. Demonstrate local management and community connections.
  • Small grants, big impact: With an average grant of £1,000 and maximum of £5,000, focus on how modest funding can achieve significant community benefits through the “multiplier effect” of volunteer mobilization.
  • Fast turnaround: Expect decisions within 4 weeks maximum, making this an excellent option for organizations needing relatively quick funding decisions compared to many trusts.
  • Geographic boundaries are strict: The River Tyne is an absolute boundary—no grants are made south of it. Ensure your project clearly serves North Tyneside, East Newcastle, or South East Northumberland communities.
  • Support the most vulnerable: Priority goes to organizations serving youth, children, people with disabilities, older persons, and disadvantaged groups. Clearly identify and quantify your beneficiaries.
  • Running costs are fundable: The 2023 grant to Old Low Light Heritage Centre for running costs during financial pressures shows the Trust will support core costs, not just project funding.
  • No CICs, only registered charities: If you're not a registered charity, you must identify a registered charity willing to accept the grant on your behalf. Community Interest Companies are not eligible.

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References

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