The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £416,150 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications by 30 November considered at January meeting
• Grant Range: £8,000 - £15,000 (typical range)
• Geographic Focus: Hampshire and West Sussex

Contact Details

Website: www.geraldmicklemct.org.uk

Email: mail@geraldmicklemct.org.uk

Phone: 01730 264207

Postal Address: Mrs. S.J. Shone, Bolinge Hill Farm, Buriton, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4NN

Pre-application Support: Email inquiries welcomed if unsure about eligibility

Overview

Established in 1990 by the Will of the late Gerald Hugh Micklem CBE (died 21st May 1988), The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust is a general grant-making trust supporting registered charities working in Hampshire and West Sussex. With total income of £640,180 in 2024 (comprising £441,726 in donations and legacies plus £198,454 from investments) and charitable expenditure of £416,150, the Trust operates with three trustees and no paid staff. Gerald Micklem was a distinguished golf administrator who served as Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 1968 and received his CBE in 1969 for his contributions to amateur golf. The Trust reflects his legacy of service by supporting a wide range of charitable causes within its priority areas, with particular emphasis on local charities serving vulnerable populations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Main Grant Programme: £8,000 - £15,000 (no fixed amount; decided by trustees)
• Application Method: By postal letter only (not email), rolling basis with main decision meeting in January

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on the following areas within Hampshire and West Sussex:

• Disability Support: Adults and children with physical disabilities or learning disabilities
• Carers: Support for carers of the elderly and disabled, with particular interest in young carers
• Environment and Wildlife: Conservation and wildlife protection initiatives
• Hospices: Hospice care for both adults and children
• Medical Conditions: Support for those affected by medical conditions
• Elderly Support: Services for elderly people, including those with Alzheimer's disease or dementia

What They Don't Fund

The Trust explicitly excludes:

• Churches
• Drug or alcohol abuse counselling
• Disadvantaged children/youth programmes (unless focused on disability)
• Education (except schools for disabled children)
• Homelessness and housing projects
• Individual sponsorship arrangements
• Individuals
• Local community groups (unless fitting priority areas)
• Medical research
• Mental health services
• Museums and cultural organizations
• Non-registered charities
• Organisations outside Hampshire and West Sussex
• Overseas aid
• Performing arts

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by three trustees who serve without remuneration. The correspondent for applications is Mrs. S.J. Shone.

Governance Structure:

• Three trustees (names not publicly disclosed)
• No employees
• No trading subsidiaries
• All grants decided by trustee discretion

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application submissions must be by postal letter only - email applications are not accepted.

There is no standard application form. Applicants should:

1. Write a letter explaining their work, the purpose of the grant, and how it aligns with the Trust's priorities
2. Include their latest Report & Accounts
3. Send to: Mrs. S.J. Shone, Bolinge Hill Farm, Buriton, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4NN

Pre-Application Inquiries: Email inquiries are welcomed if you are unsure whether your organization meets the criteria (mail@geraldmicklemct.org.uk)

Decision Timeline

• Applications can be submitted at any time
• Main Deadline: Applications received by 30th November are considered at the Trustees' main meeting in early January
• Recommended Application Period: October or November (to ensure most up-to-date information is included)
• Important: Applications are not carried forward to subsequent meetings if unsuccessful

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trust does not acknowledge all appeals received.

Notification

Only successful applicants are notified of the outcome. If you do not hear from the Trust after their decision meeting, your application was unsuccessful.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust's policy on reapplication is not explicitly stated. Applicants may wish to inquire via email if they wish to reapply after an unsuccessful attempt.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated priorities and approach:

Geographic Alignment is Critical: The Trust only funds charities working specifically in Hampshire and West Sussex. National charities must demonstrate clear benefit to these counties.

Priority Area Match: Applications must clearly fall within one of the seven priority areas. The Trust is explicit about what they don't fund - if your work touches on excluded areas (mental health, homelessness, etc.), it will not be considered even if you do other work in priority areas.

Registered Charity Status is Mandatory: The Trust will only fund UK-registered charities. CICs, social enterprises, and unregistered community groups are not eligible.

Recent Grant Examples Demonstrate Range:

• Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance: £10,000 grants (£20,000 total for Aftercare service over two years)
• The Golf Foundation: £60,000 over three years (£10,000/year for HSBC Golf Roots Plus, £10,000/year for infrastructure)
• Whizz-Kidz: Long-standing support (specific amounts not disclosed)

Postal Application is Non-Negotiable: Despite having email contact, the Trust specifically states applications must be by letter, not email. This requirement should be strictly followed.

October/November Timing is Strategic: While applications can be submitted year-round, the Trust recommends October or November submissions to ensure the most current information is included when considered at the January meeting.

No Response Means Rejection: The Trust's policy of only notifying successful applicants means that silence should be interpreted as an unsuccessful application.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only Hampshire and West Sussex charities need apply - ensure your application clearly demonstrates local impact
• Follow the postal application rule: Email applications will not be considered; send physical letters only
• Target October/November for best timing: While rolling, these months position your application well for the January trustee meeting
• Be specific about disability or elderly focus: These appear to be the strongest priority areas based on stated preferences
• Include comprehensive financials: Latest Report & Accounts are required - ensure these are up to date and clearly presented
• Don't expect acknowledgment: The Trust does not acknowledge all appeals or notify unsuccessful applicants - silence after the decision period means rejection
• Typical grants are £8,000-£15,000: Pitch your request within this range unless you have exceptional justification for a larger multi-year grant

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Charities Aid Foundation
• THE HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• The Wolfson Foundation
• John Ellerman Foundation
• The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
• Ecological Restoration Fund
• The Taylor-Marsh Foundation
• The Big Give Trust
• The Edward Gostling Foundation
• THE FEBRUARY FOUNDATION
• The Crucible Foundation
• THE RUFFORD FOUNDATION
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• The Golden Bottle Trust
• P F Charitable Trust
• THE MORRISONS FOUNDATION
• THE SCREWFIX FOUNDATION
• Sustrans (Walk Wheel Cycle Trust)
• THE RIVERS TRUST

References

• The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust official website, www.geraldmicklemct.org.uk
• The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust Guidelines page, http://www.geraldmicklemct.org.uk/2.html
• The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust Application Process page, http://www.geraldmicklemct.org.uk/4.html
• Charity Commission Register, charity number 802583, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/802583
• Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, “The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust boosts Aftercare service”, https://www.hiowaa.org/the-gerald-micklem-charitable-trust-boosts-aftercare-service/
• Golf Business News, "£60,000 grant from Micklem Trust a 'wonderful' boost for Golf Foundation", 2013
• Wikipedia, “Gerald Micklem”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Micklem
• England Golf, “England Golf Hall of Fame 2024 – Gerald Micklem CBE”, https://www.englandgolf.org/news-detail?newsarticleid=843