The Ian Mactaggart Trust

Charity Number: CUSTOM_DB50FEB4

Annual Expenditure: £1.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,230,308 (2023/24)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (no unsolicited applications accepted)
  • Decision Time: N/A (proactive grant-making only)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified
  • Geographic Focus: UK and international

Contact Details

Website: https://www.ianmactaggarttrust.org/

Registered Office: DLA Piper Scotland LLP, Collins House, Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2AA

Alternative Address: 2 Babmaes Street, London, SW1Y 6HD

Note: The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications and does not provide direct contact details for grant enquiries.

Overview

The Ian Mactaggart Trust (now formally known as Ian Mactaggart Charitable Trust) was established in 1984 by the Mactaggart family to distribute funds by way of charitable donations to suitable charities in the United Kingdom and abroad. Registered in Scotland (charity number SC012502), the Trust has distributed over £6 million since its inception. The Trust operates as a charitable company limited by guarantee and is part of the broader Mactaggart family philanthropic legacy, which also includes The Mactaggart Third Fund (established 1968). In recent years, the Trust's expenditure has ranged from approximately £465,000 to £1.5 million annually, with income in 2023/24 reaching £1.4 million. The Trust changed its name from “Ian Mactaggart Trust” to “Ian Mactaggart Charitable Trust” in March 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust does not operate specific named grant programs. Instead, it makes discretionary grants to charities across a broad range of causes.

Priority Areas

The Trust supports a wide range of charitable purposes, including:

  • Relief of poverty: Supporting those experiencing financial hardship
  • Advancement of education: Educational initiatives and institutions
  • Advancement of religion: Religious organizations and activities
  • Environmental protection: Conservation and environmental causes
  • Relief of those in need: Supporting people affected by age, ill-health, disability, or financial hardship
  • Provision of recreational facilities: Community facilities and leisure opportunities
  • Advancement of human rights: Human rights organizations and conflict resolution
  • Housing and social justice: The Mactaggart family has a particular legacy in innovative housing solutions

The Trust primarily operates outside Scotland, supporting charities across the UK and internationally.

What They Don't Fund

The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications, so there is no formal exclusion list. However, given their proactive approach, they only support charities whose aims align with the directors' values and that have demonstrated excellence in their work.

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Governance and Leadership

Directors/Trustees

The Trust is governed by members of the Mactaggart family, including:

  • Sir John Auld Mactaggart, 4th Baronet (Director): Scottish entrepreneur and philanthropist with extensive charity involvement including Thames Valley Housing Association, The Head Injuries Trust for Scotland, Defeating Deafness, Action on Hearing Loss, The Scottish Ballet, Commonweal Housing, and Grove End Housing Association. Sir John was the founding member and original chair of Commonweal Housing, established following his experience as a double organ transplant recipient.
  • The Right Honourable Fiona Margaret Mactaggart (Director): Former MP for Slough and Sir John's great-granddaughter. Fiona served on the Board of Trustees of Commonweal Housing for 17 years, including 13 years as Chair (2006-2019). She currently chairs the Omnibus Theatre and previously chaired the Fawcett Society and Agenda.
  • Philip Mactaggart (Trustee): Established and supports Kulen Outreach, a US-registered non-profit providing education to children in the Siem Reap region of Cambodia.
  • William John Cane (Secretary)

Family Philanthropic Legacy

The Mactaggart family has “a long and varied history of active philanthropic engagement.” The family's charitable work includes establishing Commonweal Housing in 2003, which tests and develops innovative housing solutions to social injustice, and supporting community facilities on the Scottish Isle of Islay, including the local pool and gymnasium, community centre, and social housing schemes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Critical Information: The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

According to the Trust's website: “The Directors take a proactive approach to their grant-making and their present policy is to make grants to those charities whose aims they support and who they believe have demonstrated excellence in their achievements.”

This means:

  • Organizations cannot submit applications for funding
  • The directors identify and approach charities they wish to support
  • Selection is based on alignment with directors' values and demonstrated excellence

Decision Timeline

Not applicable, as the Trust operates on a proactive basis rather than accepting applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable, as no application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Application Success Factors

Since the Trust operates proactively, organizations cannot directly apply for funding. However, the following factors appear important to the Trust's grant-making:

Demonstrated Excellence: The Trust explicitly states they support charities “who they believe have demonstrated excellence in their achievements.” This suggests:

  • Track record of impact and effectiveness
  • Recognition within the sector
  • Strong governance and management
  • Clear evidence of achieving charitable objectives

Alignment with Directors' Values: The Trust supports “charities whose aims they support,” indicating:

  • Consistency with the Mactaggart family's philanthropic interests
  • Particular interest in housing and social justice issues (given family history)
  • Support for innovation in addressing social needs
  • Focus on both UK and international causes

Areas of Historical Family Interest:

  • Innovative housing solutions and social justice
  • Health-related causes (particularly relevant given Sir John's experience)
  • Community development and facilities
  • Educational initiatives
  • Human rights and conflict resolution

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No application process exists: This Trust cannot be approached with funding requests. The directors identify charities proactively.
  • Excellence is paramount: The Trust explicitly seeks organizations that have “demonstrated excellence in their achievements,” suggesting they fund established, proven charities rather than start-ups.
  • Family connections matter: Given the proactive approach, existing relationships or networks connected to the Mactaggart family may be relevant to being considered for funding.
  • Broad charitable scope: The Trust supports 11 different charitable purpose categories, indicating wide-ranging interests rather than narrow focus areas.
  • Significant resources: With annual expenditure over £1 million and total grants exceeding £6 million since 1984, this is a substantial funder.
  • International reach: While registered in Scotland, the Trust “primarily operates outside Scotland” and supports charities both in the UK and internationally.
  • Strategic philanthropy: The Mactaggart family's broader philanthropic work demonstrates thoughtful, strategic approaches to social change, particularly in housing and social justice.

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