The Alexander Mosley Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 1142898

Annual Expenditure: £3.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Varies significantly (£178,742 in 2023, £3,268,902 in 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (proactive grant-making only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no open applications)
  • Grant Range: £260,000 - £6,000,000+ (based on known grants)
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with some international projects
  • Charity Number: 1142898

Contact Details

Address: The Alexander Mosley Charitable Trust, c/o Macfarlanes LLP, 20 Cursitor Street, London EC4A 1LT

Email: info@alexandermosleyct.org

Phone: 020 7831 9222

Website: www.alexandermosleyct.org (currently inaccessible)

Note: The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications or inquiries about potential funding.

Overview

The Alexander Mosley Charitable Trust (AMCT) was established in 2011 by Max Mosley to commemorate his son Alexander Mosley, who died in 2009 aged 39. The Trust holds substantial assets (over £157 million in unrestricted reserves) and makes strategic grants to charitable causes across multiple sectors. Unlike most funders, AMCT operates exclusively through a proactive grant-making model, meaning trustees identify and approach potential grantees rather than accepting applications. The Trust is registered in England and Wales and makes grants to other registered charities. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

The Trust's annual expenditure varies considerably year to year, reflecting its strategic approach to major grant commitments. In 2023, expenditure was £178,742, while in 2024 it increased significantly to £3,268,902, demonstrating the Trust's flexible approach to funding major initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust does not operate formal grant programs or application cycles. All grants are awarded proactively by trustees identifying projects aligned with the Trust's mission.

Known Grant Sizes:

  • Large transformational grants: £5-6 million (e.g., Oxford University biophysics chair, St Peter's College student accommodation)
  • Significant research funding: £600,000+ (e.g., Imperial College psilocybin research)
  • Sustained institutional support: £3.8 million over multiple years (e.g., IMPRESS press regulator funding)
  • Smaller project grants: £260,000+ (e.g., Lady Margaret Hall donation)

Application Method: None available. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

Priority Areas

Based on known grants, the Trust actively funds:

  • Scientific Research: Physics laboratories, biophysics chairs, neuroscience research at leading universities (particularly Oxford and Imperial College)
  • Mental Health Innovation: Groundbreaking research into depression treatment, including psychedelic therapy research (psilocybin studies)
  • Road Safety: Worldwide initiatives to improve road safety, reflecting Max Mosley's connection to the FIA Foundation
  • Environmental Protection: Charities working for improvements in the environment
  • Social Justice: Organizations working for justice and systemic improvements
  • Young People: Charities supporting youth development and opportunities
  • Independent Media: Media organizations and press regulators that give voice to under-represented people, support independent journalism, and promote press accountability

The Trust has stated it is “pleased to be able to provide grants for work in areas that other organisations may find difficult to support,” suggesting a willingness to fund innovative, controversial, or underfunded causes.

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited applications from any organization
  • Projects outside England and Wales (with rare exceptions for international research or road safety work)
  • Individuals
  • Non-charitable organizations
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Governance and Leadership

Founder: Max Mosley (1940-2021), former president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), established the Trust in memory of his son.

Trustees: Current trustee names are not publicly disclosed in available sources, though the Trust is managed through Macfarlanes LLP, a leading UK law firm.

Governance Structure: The charity operates with full trustee discretion in identifying and selecting grant recipients. Trustees receive no remuneration and are bound by charity law and public benefit requirements.

Philosophy: According to available information, the Trust supports diverse charitable causes including scientific research, mental health, road safety, environmental improvements, justice, and independent media. One of the first grants made by the Trust was to Imperial College to use brain imaging to assess the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in the treatment of depression, demonstrating the Trust's willingness to fund pioneering and potentially controversial research.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

There is no application process. The Alexander Mosley Charitable Trust operates exclusively through proactive grant-making. Trustees identify organizations and projects they wish to support and approach them directly.

Organizations cannot submit proposals, expressions of interest, or applications of any kind. The Trust has explicitly stated it “does not respond to unsolicited grant applications.”

Decision Timeline

Not applicable due to proactive model. Grants are awarded at the trustees' discretion based on their strategic priorities and timing.

Success Rates

Not applicable. Since no applications are accepted, there is no success rate to report.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. Organizations cannot apply or reapply for funding.

Application Success Factors

Since this Trust does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analyzing their known grants reveals what attracts trustee interest:

Characteristics of Funded Projects:

  • Groundbreaking research: Major funding has gone to innovative research, particularly the Imperial College psilocybin depression research that challenged conventional mental health treatment approaches
  • Prestigious institutions: Significant support for Oxford University and Imperial College London
  • Underserved causes: The Trust states it is pleased to fund “work in areas that other organisations may find difficult to support,” suggesting preference for controversial, pioneering, or underfunded work
  • Strategic impact: Large, transformational grants (£5-6 million) rather than numerous small grants
  • Personal connection to mission: Many funded areas (mental health, road safety, press freedom) connect to Max Mosley's personal interests and experiences

Research Leadership Perspectives:

Professor David Nutt, principal investigator on the Imperial College psilocybin studies, emphasized that the Trust's funding enabled research that traditional funders were reluctant to support. Jonathan Heawood of IMPRESS told Press Gazette that IMPRESS "wouldn't be here" without funding from the Mosley charity, highlighting the Trust's role in sustaining organizations others may not support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. This funder cannot be approached through traditional grant-seeking methods. Organizations should not spend time attempting to contact the Trust or submit proposals.
  1. The Trust funds substantial, transformational projects ranging from £260,000 to £6 million+, not small grants. They appear to prefer major strategic investments over numerous smaller commitments.
  1. Focus areas reflect founder's interests: Mental health research (particularly innovative approaches), road safety, press freedom, scientific research, and social justice causes.
  1. Willingness to fund controversial or underfunded work distinguishes this Trust from more conservative funders. The Trust explicitly welcomes work “other organisations may find difficult to support.”
  1. Strong academic research focus, particularly at Oxford and Imperial College London, with preference for groundbreaking rather than incremental research.
  1. Multi-year commitments are common, such as the £3.8 million multi-year IMPRESS funding and sustained Imperial College research support.
  1. Organizations should focus on other funders unless directly approached by AMCT trustees, as there is no pathway for organizations to initiate contact for funding purposes.

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