The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1117735
• Annual Income: £710,351 (2024)
• Annual Grantmaking: Approximately £490,000 (33 projects in 2023)
• Average Grant: £14,839 (2023)
• Grant Range: £3,000 - £25,000 (for new applicants)
• Decision Time: 3-6 months (board meets 3 times yearly)
• Geographic Focus: UK and international
• Founded: 2007

Contact Details

Website: https://www.almt.org

Email: admin@almt.org

Address: The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust, UK Registered Charity 1117735

Key Contacts:

• Rebecca Pirt – Trust Director
• Kate Richardson – Grants Officer

Overview

Founded in 2007, The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust (ALMT) was established to create a lasting legacy for Angus Lawson. With over 15 years of grantmaking experience, the Trust focuses on improving the quality of life for the world's most marginalized children and young people. In 2023, ALMT supported 33 projects, helping 15,087 children and young people across 15 countries worldwide, providing an average of 223 hours of targeted support per person. The Trust prioritizes grassroots organizations with annual incomes under £1 million, seeking early intervention projects that address the root causes of inequality through innovative, measurable solutions. Beyond funding, ALMT provides pro bono support including database training, fundraising expertise, and digital media development. The Trust operates a unique co-funding model that enables individual donors, trusts, and companies to directly contribute to vetted partnership projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £3,000 - £25,000 annually (average £14,839)

• Available to new applicants via three-stage application process
• Applications accepted on rolling basis with decisions made three times yearly (February, June, October)
• Existing partners eligible for consecutive funding up to 3 years
• After four consecutive years of funding, two-year waiting period before reapplication

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on three main priority areas:

1. Bereavement and Palliative Care: Projects supporting families, adults, children, and young people experiencing loss or terminal illness

1. Social Mobility and Community Participation: Initiatives enabling disadvantaged or vulnerable children and young people to participate fully in society and increase social mobility

1. Educational Scholarships and Learning Support: Educational opportunities for children and young people, including schools and PTAs when funding supports disadvantaged children's learning outside school

Beneficiary Age Requirements:

• Children up to age 18
• Young people up to age 25 if vulnerable (care leavers, homeless, young offenders, teenage parents, those with disabilities or special educational needs)

Organizational Preferences:

• Grassroots partners with average annual income not exceeding £1,000,000 over five years
• Organizations demonstrating stringent reporting, measurable results, and exceptional monitoring and evaluation processes
• Early intervention projects addressing root causes of inequality
• Innovative and creative solutions with clearly identified objectives

What They Don't Fund

• Grant-making organizations
• Construction projects
• Research
• Religious promotion
• Political activities
• Projects with disproportionate overhead costs

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (10 board members):

• Fiona Fairbairn
• Debbie Hofmeyr
• Edward Hutton
• Jonathan Potter
• Wasim Rehman
• Silvie Tonellotto
• Alex de Winton

Staff:

• Rebecca Pirt – Trust Director
• Kate Richardson – Grants Officer
• Jenni Thomas – Bereavement Counsellor

Founders:

• Nick Lawson
• Kara Lawson

Patron: Jenni Thomas OBE (Founder, Child Bereavement Charity)

Celebrity Ambassador: Rachel Riley (Channel 4, Countdown)

The board comprises experienced professionals representing skills from accountancy, corporate social responsibility, finance and investments, and the Third Sector. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits. The Trust benefits from a partner's committee whose members dedicate up to 5 days per month to meet with applicants, review applications, and conduct due diligence before proposals are recommended for funding.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: ALMT only accepts solicited applications – applicants must have heard about the Trust through a friend, partner, Trustee, or contact of the Trust.

Pre-Application: Contact ALMT at admin@almt.org with project ideas to assess suitability before completing an application. Discuss eligibility questions, appropriate grant size, and multi-year funding potential.

Three-Stage Application Process:

• Completed first-stage application form
• 2-page project outline
• Detailed budget
• Recent accounts or budget
• Safeguarding policy

1. Stage Two: Interview with ALMT Partnerships Committee member (if successful in Stage One)

1. Stage Three: Board decision at one of three annual meetings (February, June, October)

Application Structure: Proposals should include these sections:

• Organizational aims
• Need and supporting evidence
• Project description
• Expected outcomes
• Beneficiary details
• Success metrics and evaluation methods

Decision Timeline

• Board meets three times per year around February, June, and October
• The Trust contacts applicants promptly after decisions are made
• Typical timeline: 3-6 months from initial application to decision

Success Rates

Specific success rate data not publicly available. However, the Trust funded 33 projects in 2023 from a competitive pool of solicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful applicants: May request feedback and reapply for different projects
• Existing partners: May receive consecutive funding for up to 4 years total
• After 4 consecutive years: Must wait 2 years before reapplying
• Multi-year funding: Eligible partners should discuss consecutive funding options with ALMT before applying

Application Success Factors

What ALMT Looks For

The Trust emphasizes several key factors in successful applications:

1. Measurable Outcomes: Organizations must demonstrate “stringent report writing, measurable results and have exceptional monitoring and evaluation processes in place”

1. Innovation and Early Intervention: ALMT seeks “innovative and creative solutions to proven problems” and projects that “address the root causes of inequality”

1. Long-term Impact: Interest in “projects which effect longer term change for the most disadvantaged young people”

1. Small, Grassroots Organizations: Preference for organizations with annual income under £1 million over a five-year average

1. Clearly Defined Objectives: Projects must have “clearly identified objectives where the outcomes can be monitored and evaluated”

Examples of Funded Projects

UK Projects:

• The Ben Kinsella Trust: Tackling knife crime through education and campaigning
• The Children's Book Project: Addressing book poverty
• Footsteps: Intensive physiotherapy for children with cerebral palsy and neurological disorders
• The Theatre Shed: Inclusive theatre company empowering young people
• Community Exe: Raising aspirations for boys in the Southwest

International Projects:

• S.A.F.E. (Kenya): Interactive theatre and film education in remote and vulnerable communities
• Friends of Ibba Girls' School (South Sudan): Community boarding school for girls aged 10-18
• Mission Mozambique: Health and education-focused projects for vulnerable children
• Mental health support for domestic violence victims, malaria prevention in Zambia, vaccinations and neo-natal support in Afghanistan, supplementary schooling for disadvantaged and refugee children

Strategic Tips for Applicants

1. Make Contact First: Before applying, email admin@almt.org to discuss project suitability, grant size, and eligibility
2. Focus on Evidence: Demonstrate clear need with robust evidence and data
3. Emphasize Measurement: Strong monitoring and evaluation frameworks are essential
4. Show Innovation: Highlight creative, innovative approaches to addressing root causes
5. Keep It Concise: Project outline limited to 2 pages – be clear and focused
6. Budget Carefully: Avoid disproportionate overhead costs
7. Demonstrate Capacity: Show your organization's track record and capability to deliver
8. Think Long-Term: Emphasize sustainable change and long-term impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Solicited applications only: You must have a connection to the Trust through their network – build relationships with their contacts, partners, or trustees
• Small is beautiful: ALMT specifically prioritizes grassroots organizations under £1 million income – don't be discouraged by being small
• Measurement matters: Exceptional monitoring and evaluation processes are non-negotiable – invest time in demonstrating robust impact measurement
• Make the call first: Pre-application contact is strongly encouraged – use this opportunity to test fit and get guidance before investing time in a full application
• Be patient but prepared: With only three board meetings per year, plan ahead for funding cycles and be ready for a 3-6 month timeline
• Think beyond money: ALMT offers pro bono support including database training, fundraising advice, and digital media development – leverage these additional resources
• Consider multi-year funding: If you're a strong partner, consecutive funding for up to 3 years is possible – discuss this upfront to plan long-term sustainability

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE FARTHING TRUST
• The Rhododendron Trust
• The Cumber Family Charitable Trust
• The Randal Charitable Foundation
• The Jephcott Charitable Trust
• The Dulverton Trust
• The True Colours Trust
• Society of the Holy Child Jesus CIO
• P H Holt Foundation
• J N Derbyshire Trust

References

1. The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust - Funding Guidelines: https://www.almt.org/funding-guidelines/
2. The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust - About Us: https://www.almt.org/about-us/
3. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1117735: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1117735&subid=0
4. The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust - Home: https://www.almt.org/
5. The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust - Co-Funding: https://www.almt.org/co-funding/
6. The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust - Annual Report and Accounts 2022-2023
7. Various project examples from ALMT website including Supporting a children's home in India and Community Exe project coverage