The Jim Marshall Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £185,000 (approx., based on 2022 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Small grants (example: £8,000)
• Geographic Focus: Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes
• Established: 1989

Contact Details

Address: C/O Simpson Wreford LLP, Wellesley House, Duke of Wellington Avenue, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6SS

Phone: 020 8317 6460

Website: None

Email: Not publicly available

Note: The trust is administered through Simpson Wreford LLP accountants

Overview

The Jim Marshall Charitable Trust was established in 1989 to continue the philanthropic legacy of Jim Marshall OBE (1923-2012), founder of Marshall Amplification and known as “The Father of Loud.” The trust honors Marshall's personal commitment to charitable giving, inspired by his own childhood experience with tubercular bones and extensive hospital treatment. The trust makes grants to organizations that aid children, young people, the sick and disabled, and the local community generally in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. Financial records show the trust had income of £499,786 and expenditure of £377,929 in 2021, and income of £133,191 with expenditure of £185,484 in 2022. Following the 2023 sale of Marshall Amplification to Zound Industries, the trust became a shareholder in the Marshall Group with increased scope to support the causes Jim Marshall championed.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust offers small grants to charitable organizations. No specific funding streams or fixed grant amounts are publicized. The trust operates on a discretionary basis managed by staff members from Marshall Amplification.

Application Method: No public application process; grants appear to be made at the discretion of trustees

Priority Areas

Strong Interest:

• Disability support - The trust has a particular interest in supporting individuals with disabilities
• Children and young people
• The sick and disabled
• Local community organizations in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes

Broad Areas:

• General charitable purposes
• Education and training
• Advancement of health or saving of lives
• Amateur sport

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Given the geographic focus, organizations outside Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes are unlikely to be supported.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Joanne Simone Marshall Price (appointed 2023) - Granddaughter of Jim Marshall, also serves on the Marshall Group investor board

Management: The fund is managed by staff members from Marshall Amplification who vote on grant decisions

The trust operates as a private family trust continuing the legacy of its founder. Jim Marshall OBE was awarded his honor in 2003 for “services to the music industry and to charity,” following substantial donations to Macmillan Cancer Care and Willen Hospice. He donated millions of pounds to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, London, where he received treatment as a child.

A trust spokesperson has stated: “We are proud to be based in Milton Keynes, where our founder Jim Marshall established the business” and emphasized their commitment to “continue to support his vision” of philanthropy.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Jim Marshall Charitable Trust operates on a discretionary basis, with grants made “at such time or times and in such manner as the trustees may in their absolute discretion determine.” Staff members from Marshall Amplification manage the fund and vote unanimously on funding decisions.

Organizations interested in support may contact the trust through:

• Phone: 020 8317 6460
• Written correspondence to their registered address at Simpson Wreford LLP

There is no formal application portal, fixed deadlines, or published application guidelines.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. The trust appears to make decisions on a rolling basis as opportunities arise.

Success Rates

Not publicly available due to the discretionary, invitation-based nature of the grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented. Given the private nature of the trust's operations, reapplication procedures are not specified.

Application Success Factors

Based on the limited public information available, organizations most likely to receive support from The Jim Marshall Charitable Trust will demonstrate:

Mission Alignment:

• Direct service to people with disabilities - this is the trust's stated area of particular interest
• Support for children, young people, or people who are sick
• Community benefit in Buckinghamton or Milton Keynes specifically

Connection to Jim Marshall's Legacy:

The Camphill MK grant suggests the trust values:

• Organizations rooted in the Milton Keynes community where Marshall Amplification was based
• Projects that create lasting impact through infrastructure improvements
• Services that enable participation and inclusion for people with disabilities

Demonstrated Need:

The £8,000 grant to Camphill MK funded specific capital improvements (lighting desk replacement and LED upgrades) rather than general operating costs, suggesting the trust may favor:

• Specific, tangible projects with clear outcomes
• Capital improvements that enhance service delivery
• Practical solutions to identified problems

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - This is a private discretionary trust; relationship-building and connections to the Marshall family or business may be important
• Disability focus is paramount - The trust has explicitly stated particular interest in supporting individuals with disabilities
• Geographic restriction is firm - Only organizations operating in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes should pursue this funder
• Small grants for specific projects - The documented grant of £8,000 suggests modest funding amounts for concrete, defined needs rather than general operating support
• Marshall legacy matters - Connection to Milton Keynes, to Jim Marshall's personal values, or to causes he supported (healthcare, disability services) may be advantageous
• Contact via administrators - Inquiries should go through Simpson Wreford LLP at the provided contact details
• Staff voting system - Marshall Amplification staff vote on grants, suggesting organizational connection to the company may facilitate consideration

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Carrington Charitable Trust
• The Balney Charitable Trust
• The Lionel Abel-Smith Trust
• The Pharsalia Charitable Trust
• The Prince Philip Trust Fund
• The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust
• THE WILLIAM DELAFIELD CHARITABLE TRUST
• Mobbs Memorial Trust Limited
• The Sherling Charitable Trust
• E F AND M G HALL CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• Charity Commission Register, THE JIM MARSHALL CHARITABLE TRUST (328118): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=328118&subid=0
• Camphill MK, “Marshall Amplification Staff Step in to Support Community Theatre,”: https://camphillmk.co.uk/marshall-amplification-staff-step-in-to-support-community-theatre/
• Marshall.com, “2003: The Jim Marshall charitable trust and a meeting with The Queen,”: https://www.marshall.com/us/en/backstage/early-2000s/2003-meeting-the-queen
• Wikipedia, “Jim Marshall (businessman),”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Marshall_(businessman)
• Giving is Great, THE JIM MARSHALL CHARITABLE TRUST Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=328118
• Companies House, THE JIM MARSHALL CHARITY officers: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15676693/officers