The Jessica Mathers Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £136,761 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: £1,000+ (specific range not disclosed)
• Geographic Focus: National (UK), with priority for Deptford, London

Contact Details

Address: Jessica's Heart, 14 New King Street, London SE8 3HS

Phone: 020 8333 0065

Email: annamathers90@gmail.com

Website: www.thejmt.co.uk

Overview

The Jessica Mathers Trust (JMT) was established in spring 2010 as a memorial charity by Jannet and Stephen Mathers and their daughter Anna, following the death of their thirteen-year-old daughter Jessica in a road accident on 2nd March 2007. Registered charity number 1133674, the Trust operates with an annual expenditure of approximately £136,761 (2024) and total income of £110,754. The Trust's distinctive approach combines grant-making with property ownership - they converted a former pub, The Osborne Arms, into "Jessica's Heart," a community facility providing rent-free office space to supported charities alongside four flats. The Trust's mission centers on supporting people struggling with homelessness, premature bereavement, or the challenges of adolescence, while also developing the Deptford community and protecting the natural environment. The Trust operates with seven trustees who receive no remuneration, maintaining a highly focused, relationship-based approach to grant-making.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single grant program supporting UK registered charities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no closing date. Grants typically support:

• Core charity grants: Supporting organizations aligned with the Trust's mission (grant amounts vary - confirmed grants include £1,000 to Road Victims Trust)
• In-kind support: Rent-free office space at Jessica's Heart for key partner charities

Priority Areas

The Trust has two primary funding objectives:

1. Supporting People Struggling with Life:

• Homelessness services and outreach
• Bereavement support, particularly for families experiencing premature death
• Support for adolescents facing challenges

2. Community and Environmental Development:

• Local community projects in Deptford, London
• Environmental protection and sustainability initiatives

Current and Recent Beneficiaries:

• Bench Outreach (main beneficiary - receives rent-free office space and ongoing support)
• The Compassionate Friends (TCF) - bereaved parent peer support
• Road Victims Trust (£1,000 grant)
• 2000 Community Action Centre, Deptford - community food bank and activities

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not explicitly stated, but the Trust focuses exclusively on UK registered charities working within their defined priority areas. Individual applications are not accepted.

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by seven trustees who serve without remuneration:

Family Trustees:

• Stephen Dale Mathers - Jessica's father, co-founder
• Jannet Reinarda Willemina Mathers - Jessica's mother, co-founder
• Anna Vera Mathers - Jessica's sister, co-founder

Additional Trustees:

• Sam Hollins - Appointed 27 January 2015
• Alex Mansfield - Appointed 27 January 2015
• Amelia Alice Tyrer Cook - Appointed 22 January 2022
• Miranda Ysobel Eleanor Solly - Appointed 22 January 2022

According to the Trust's materials, the additional trustees include two of Jessica's favourite primary school teachers and two of her good friends, reflecting the deeply personal nature of the Trust's mission. The Trust has no employees with benefits over £60,000 and operates with no trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust accepts applications on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. However, applicants should note that the Trust “mainly makes awards to the charities it has previously supported” and will “consider a small number of new donations to other charities that meet its aims.”

For application enquiries, contact:

• Email: annamathers90@gmail.com
• Phone: 020 8333 0065
• Website: www.thejmt.co.uk/about-us/

No formal application portal or detailed guidelines are publicly available. Interested charities should contact the Trust directly to discuss potential funding opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the Trust's small scale and relationship-based approach, decision times likely vary depending on the organization's existing relationship with the Trust and the nature of the request.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The Trust explicitly states it makes grants primarily to previously supported charities and accepts only “a small number of new donations,” suggesting a highly selective approach for new applicants.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is stated. The Trust's emphasis on supporting charities it has previously funded suggests that successful applicants may receive ongoing support through multi-year relationships.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's mission, activities, and stated priorities, the following factors appear critical for success:

Alignment with Jessica's Story:

The Trust was created to honor Jessica's memory. Organizations working with young people facing challenges, families coping with sudden bereavement, or homeless individuals are most aligned with the Trust's core mission. The personal nature of the Trust's founding suggests applications that resonate with Jessica's story may receive particular consideration.

Deptford Connection:

Organizations working in or serving the Deptford, SE London community appear to receive priority consideration. The Trust's conversion of The Osborne Arms into Jessica's Heart demonstrates their commitment to this specific geographic area.

Relationship Building:

The Trust's stated preference for supporting previously funded charities indicates that building relationships over time is crucial. Organizations seeking support should consider starting with smaller requests or exploring partnership opportunities at Jessica's Heart facility.

Direct Service Delivery:

Review of beneficiary organizations (Bench Outreach, The Compassionate Friends, Road Victims Trust, 2000 Community Action Centre) shows a preference for charities providing direct services to vulnerable populations rather than advocacy or research organizations.

Environmental Sustainability:

While the Trust primarily supports social welfare causes, their secondary objective around environmental protection suggests organizations that combine social impact with environmental sustainability may have an advantage.

UK Registered Charity Status:

Only UK registered charities are eligible for funding - this is explicitly stated and appears to be a firm requirement.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Expect limited opportunities for new applicants: The Trust is transparent that it primarily supports existing partners and accepts only a small number of new grants. First-time applicants should have exceptionally strong alignment with the Trust's mission.

• Geographic focus matters: Organizations working in Deptford, SE London, or willing to develop projects in this area have significantly better prospects than national organizations without local connection.

• Consider the personal memorial nature: This is a family-led memorial trust honoring a thirteen-year-old girl who died tragically. Applications should be respectful of this context and demonstrate understanding of how the proposed work honors Jessica's memory.

• In-kind support may be more accessible than grants: The Trust provides significant in-kind support through rent-free office space at Jessica's Heart. Organizations needing London office space might explore this option rather than or in addition to cash grants.

• Small grants are viable: The confirmed £1,000 grant to Road Victims Trust indicates the Trust makes smaller, targeted donations that can have significant impact for smaller charities.

• Relationship building is essential: With no formal application process and a preference for known charities, building awareness of your organization with the Trust over time is likely more effective than cold applications.

• Multi-year thinking: The Trust's support for organizations like Bench Outreach appears to be long-term and comprehensive. Successful applicants should think about building sustained partnerships rather than one-off grants.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Henry Smith Foundation
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust
• THE ASDA FOUNDATION
• John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust
• IMPACT Foundation
• THE SACKLER TRUST
• The Hobson Charity Limited
• THE BROOK TRUST
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• THE ROGER DE HAAN CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE JOHN HORSEMAN TRUST
• The Invesco Cares Foundation
• THE HUGH SYMONS CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Leigh Trust
• The Cole Charitable Trust
• HENRY SMITH
• National Lottery
• THE HYPATIA FOUNDATION

References

• The Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Jessica Mathers Trust overview page (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1133674&subid=0) -
• The Charity Commission: Trustees information for charity 1133674 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4048904/trustees) -
• Bath and North East Somerset Council: The Jessica Mathers Trust funding information (https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/88695) -
• Beyond Goodbye: The Jessica Mathers Trust and Jessica's Heart feature (http://beyondgoodbye.co.uk/continuing-bonds/the-jessica-mathers-trust-and-jessicas-heart/) -
• Road Victims Trust: Thank you to The Jessica Mathers Trust (https://rvtrust.org.uk/thank-you-to-the-jessica-mathers-trust/) -
• Companies House: The Jessica Mathers Trust company overview (https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07106448) -
• The Jessica Mathers Trust website: www.thejmt.co.uk -