The Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £737,000 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not specified (contact for details)
• Grant Range: £300 - £300,000 (most awards under £10,000)
• Geographic Focus: North West England (Lancashire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside)

Contact Details

Address: Hill Dickinson LLP, 1 St Michael's, 36 Jacksons Row, Manchester M2 5WD

Phone: 0161 838 4977

Email: secretary@peeltrust.com

Website: www.peeltrust.com

Overview

The Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust (DCEPT) was founded in 1951 with a clear mission to support UK registered charities in the fields of medicine, medical research, care of the elderly, and assisting those “who have fallen on evil days through no fault of their own.” Since its inception, the Trust has distributed almost £20 million in grants. In the financial year ending March 2024, the Trust had an income of £636,404 and made charitable expenditures totaling £736,704. The Trustees take a strategic approach, focusing predominantly on small to medium-sized charities operating in the North West of England where grants can make a tangible difference. The Trust demonstrates flexibility in its approach, particularly for smaller organizations, while maintaining a strong preference for capital and project-driven funding over general operating expenses.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants: £300 - £300,000 (majority under £10,000)

• Supports small to medium-sized charities in the Trust's preferred geographic locations
• Preference for capital projects and project-driven applications
• Flexible approach for smaller charities regarding running costs
• Applications made via online forms on the Trust website

Medical Research Grants: Amount varies

• Supports medical research projects, particularly those benefiting older populations
• Focus areas include Alzheimer's, Macular Disease, Prostate Cancer, and Parkinson's Disease
• Separate application process with specific criteria

Travelling Fellowships: Amount varies

• Considered annually in November for travel in the following year
• Up to two fellowships awarded per round
• Trustees may make no award if applications lack sufficient strength

Sir Robert Boyd Fellowship: Specific medical research fellowship program

Priority Areas

Medical Care Charities:

• Care specifically benefiting older people
• Alzheimer's disease support
• Macular disease research and care
• Prostate cancer initiatives
• Parkinson's disease support

Charities for Older People:

• Old age support services
• Residential homes for the elderly
• Support for carers of elderly individuals

Charities Supporting Those in Hardship:

• Disabled individuals
• Hospice care
• Ex-service personnel
• Victims of natural or man-made disasters
• Mental health services
• Homelessness support

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions (Trust Deed prohibitions):

• Charities primarily devoted to children
• Charities under the control of central or local government
• Large well-funded charities (income exceeding £2.5 million per annum) unless for capital projects
• Organizations with substantial surpluses or large reserves relative to their activities
• Disaster/emergency appeals (considered strictly case-by-case)

Geographic Restrictions:

• General Grants limited to North West England preferred locations only
• Medical Grants prioritize North West England but may consider other locations

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Professor Maggie Pearson (Chair)

• Vice Chair & Director of the Salford Academy Trust

Michael Parkinson (Trustee)

Professor Colin Sibley (Trustee)

David Parkinson (Trustee)

Professor Cheng-Hock Toh CBE (Trustee)

The Trustees meet regularly to consider applications and have developed comprehensive policies to guide their grant-making decisions. They emphasize minimizing administrative burdens on applicant charities, encouraging only those with a realistic chance of support to apply.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online application forms available on the Trust website (www.peeltrust.com)

Application Types:

• General Grant Application
• Medical Grant Application
• Travelling Fellowship Application
• Sir Robert Boyd Fellowship Application

Pre-Application Guidance:

• Review the Grant Making Strategy Policy Document available on the website
• Ensure your organization meets geographic eligibility requirements
• Verify that your cause area aligns with Trust priorities
• Confirm your charity is not excluded under Trust Deed prohibitions

Application Requirements:

• UK registered charity status mandatory
• Detailed project information for capital and project-driven applications
• Financial information demonstrating organizational sustainability
• Evidence that grant will make meaningful difference

Decision Timeline

General Grants and Medical Grants: Timeline not publicly specified - contact Trust for current information

Travelling Fellowships: Applications considered annually in November for travel in the following year

Notification: Methods not specified in public documentation

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trustees aim to minimize administrative costs for applicants by encouraging only organizations with realistic prospects to apply.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not specified in public documentation. Contact the Trust directly for guidance if your application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Financial Sustainability Matters

The Trust scrutinizes the financial position of applicant charities and is unlikely to support organizations with substantial surpluses or large reserves. Demonstrate that your organization has appropriate reserves but genuine need for the grant.

Size and Scale Advantage

Strong preference for small to medium-sized charities where grants will make a tangible difference. If your charity has annual income under £1.25 million, you have better prospects across all grant types. Organizations with income exceeding £2.5 million will typically be rejected unless applying for capital projects.

Geographic Alignment Critical

For General Grants, your charity must operate in Lancashire (especially Lancaster and all LA postcodes), Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, or Merseyside. Medical Grants prioritize these regions but may consider other locations.

Capital Projects Preferred

The Trust's stated preference is for capital projects and project-driven applications rather than general operating expenses. However, they demonstrate flexibility for smaller charities in their preferred locations.

Recent Funding Examples

• University of Liverpool: £29,000 for S5 Genome Sequencer to support COVID-19 variant research
• Focus on medical equipment and research infrastructure
• Support for care facilities serving elderly populations

Reporting Expectations

• Grants over £10,000 require written project progress reports
• Grants over £50,000 typically require presentation to Trustees
• These requirements demonstrate the Trust's commitment to impact and accountability

Strategic Guidance from the Trust

The Trust's documentation emphasizes: “The Trustees aim to ensure that administration costs for applicant charities are minimised so that, as far as possible, ONLY charities with a realistic chance of support should consider applying for a grant.”

This statement suggests applicants should carefully self-assess eligibility before applying, considering:

• Geographic location alignment
• Organization size and income
• Project type (capital vs. operating)
• Cause area fit with priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is non-negotiable for General Grants: Unless you operate in Lancashire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, or Merseyside, focus on Medical Grant opportunities instead.

• Emphasize capital projects and specific initiatives: Frame your application around concrete, project-driven outcomes rather than general operational support, especially if you're a larger organization.

• Small to medium-sized charities have the advantage: If your annual income is under £1.25 million and you operate in preferred locations, you're in the sweet spot for this funder.

• Demonstrate efficiency and need: Show appropriate financial management without excessive reserves, and clearly articulate how the grant will make a tangible difference.

• Align with the Trust's language: Use terminology focused on “older people,” “those fallen on hard times,” and specific medical conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and macular disease.

• Understand the history and values: This is a 70+ year old trust with conservative values embedded in its Trust Deed - emphasize traditional charitable purposes and avoid anything that might be seen as political or advocacy-focused.

• Be prepared for accountability: If seeking grants over £10,000, factor in reporting requirements and be ready to demonstrate project outcomes through written reports or presentations.

References

1. The Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust official website - https://peeltrust.com/
2. Grant Making Strategy Policy Document - https://peeltrust.com/grant-policy/
3. Charity Commission Register Entry for Charity 214684 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/214684
4. Find that Charity database - https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-214684
5. Manchester Community Central funding news - https://manchestercommunitycentral.org/news/dowager-countess-eleanor-peel-trust-general-grants
6. University of Liverpool COVID research funding announcement - https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/giving/news/stories/title,1243442,en.php
7. History of DCEPT - https://peeltrust.com/history/