St Marylebone Educational Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £347,593 (year ending August 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Up to 6 months (may be faster with complete applications)
• Grant Range: Individual grants vary; organizational grants up to £10,000
• Geographic Focus: City of Westminster (preference for historical Parish of St Marylebone)

Contact Details

Address: 12 Melcombe Place, Marylebone, London NW1 6JJ

Email: applications@stmaryleboneeducationalfoundation.org

Phone: 020 7139 5017

Website: www.stmaryleboneeducationalfoundation.org

Clerk to the Trustees: Mrs Caroline Grant

Overview

Founded in 1750 as St Marylebone Charity School (originally educating 10 orphaned girls), the Foundation transformed into an educational charity in 1934. With an annual expenditure of £347,593 and total income of £317,726 (year ending August 2024), the Foundation promotes education for young people under 25 with a connection to the City of Westminster, particularly those linked to the historical Parish of St Marylebone. The charity operates under a scheme dated 15 November 1977, as amended on 30 August 2018, and is governed by six trustees who meet three times annually (March, June, and October). The Foundation makes grants to both individuals and organizations, focusing on educational enrichment, music and arts education, and capital improvements that provide educational benefits.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants - Various amounts (online application, fixed deadlines)

• Music lessons (inside or outside school)
• Educational equipment (laptops, tablets, textbooks, instruments)
• School fee bursaries (in specific circumstances)
• Extra-curricular activities (Saturday School at Performing Arts Centres, tutoring, sports lessons)
• Books, outfits, clothing, and tools for educational pursuits
• Special allocation: Six students each from Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music receive annual grants

Organizational Grants - Up to £10,000 (application by proposal, fixed deadlines)

• Capital expenditure for building or infrastructure improvements with educational benefit (beyond normal repairs)
• Educational enrichment through music or other arts
• Support for special educational needs provision
• Available to Westminster-based schools and organizations serving Westminster residents/students

Priority Areas

• Education for young people under 25 with Westminster connections
• Music and arts education
• Equipment and resources that support educational access
• Extra-curricular activities that enhance learning
• Infrastructure improvements that provide educational benefits beyond routine maintenance
• Special educational needs support

What They Don't Fund

• Tertiary/Further Education (university courses or training after A-Levels) - currently not supported, though some exceptions may exist
• Operational running costs for organizations
• Normal building repairs and maintenance
• Applications from individuals or organizations without the required 2-year Westminster connection
• Individuals over age 25

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by six trustees who receive no remuneration or benefits from the charity. Victoria Dare serves as a trustee (also Deputy Director at Department of Health and Social Care). Mrs Caroline Grant serves as Clerk to the Trustees. The trustees meet three times per year in March, June, and October to review applications and make funding decisions. The Foundation has no employees with benefits over £60,000 and operates without trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Individual Applications: Online application forms available on the Foundation's website for different grant types (individual grants, school fee bursaries, etc.)

Organizational Applications: Submit a proposal no longer than 2 sides of A4 detailing:

• Where funds will be spent
• How funds will be used
• What effect the funded changes will have on the children
• Why the funding is needed

Application Deadlines:

• March 2nd
• April 30th
• August 31st

Applications are reviewed by trustees at their meetings in March, June, and October.

Decision Timeline

The application process may take up to six months, though applications with complete and accurate information typically progress more smoothly. Applicants should be aware that applications may be refused, and should plan accordingly.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. The Foundation notes it has “limited income” and funding decisions depend on the number of eligible applicants in any financial year and the purpose of each bid.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy is not explicitly stated in available materials. Contact the Clerk for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

For Organizational Applications:

• Keep proposals concise (maximum 2 sides of A4)
• Clearly articulate the impact on children/young people
• Demonstrate alignment with Westminster geographic requirements (2-year connection)
• Focus on educational benefit beyond what would normally be provided
• The Foundation emphasizes they want to know “what effect the funded changes would have on the children they are destined for and why”

Evidence of Success:

The Foundation has shared testimonials from successful recipients:

• One school fee bursary recipient stated: "I wanted to let you know how I'm doing, I'm in my second year of college and am currently taking my teacher training qualifications. I cannot thank you enough for everything you did for me (funding fees for secondary school)."
• A parent shared: “My daughter is so happy in her new school, we are grateful for the opportunity she has because of the grant you have kindly provided.”

Priority Considerations:

• The Foundation has limited income, so applications are competitive
• Preference is given to those with connections to the historical Parish of St Marylebone (within Westminster)
• Music and arts education appears to be a particular area of interest (evidenced by annual grants to Royal Academy and Royal College of Music students)
• Special educational needs support is explicitly mentioned as a funding priority

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is critical: Ensure applicants have a minimum 2-year connection to City of Westminster through residence or schooling before applying
• Be concise and impact-focused: For organizational grants, keep proposals to 2 sides of A4 maximum, emphasizing the “why” and the effect on children
• Music and arts alignment: Applications involving music or arts education appear strongly aligned with the Foundation's priorities
• Plan for timeline: Allow up to 6 months for the application and decision process; align applications with the three annual trustee meetings
• Capital vs. operational: Focus organizational applications on capital improvements or enrichment activities, not operational costs
• Age restrictions matter: Ensure individual applicants are under 25 and not seeking tertiary education funding (currently not supported)
• Limited resources: Acknowledge the Foundation has limited income; competition for funds may be significant

References

• St Marylebone Educational Foundation official website: https://stmaryleboneeducationalfoundation.org/
• Charity Commission Register, ST MARYLEBONE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (Charity No. 312378): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=312378&subid=0
• Educational Grants directory entry for St Marylebone Educational Foundation: https://educational-grants.org/find-charity/st-marylebone-educational-foundation/
• Turn2Us grants database entry: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-saint-marylebone-educational-foundation-16309