The John Coates Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 262057

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £400,000 (approximate)
  • Success Rate: 20% (one in five applicants)
  • Decision Time: Biannual review (Summer and Winter meetings)
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £10,000 (exceptional circumstances may vary)
  • Geographic Focus: National UK charities, plus specific regions: North Devon, London-wide (North Kensington, Lambeth, Merton, Wandsworth), Cambridge, Hampshire, Norfolk, Surrey, and West Sussex

Contact Details

Website: https://johncoatescharitabletrust.org.uk/

Email: johncoates@thetrustpartnership.com

Phone: 01285 719 595

Overview

Established by John Bernard Maurice Coates on 6 November 1969, The John Coates Charitable Trust distributes approximately £400,000 annually to UK-registered charities. The Trust's mission reflects the founder's diverse interests in pioneering healthcare and research, conservation, history, social care, and education. Coates, diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at age 19, became a founding member of NASS (National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society). In recent years, the Trust has shifted to a selective, invitation-only model, focusing on specific themes for two-year periods. Currently, trustees focus exclusively on Literacy and Young People's Mental Health. The Trust made 90 grants in its most recent reporting period, with an average grant size of £5,400. Trustees are John Coates' children and grandchildren, continuing his philanthropic legacy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Current Thematic Focus (Invitation Only)

  • £5,000 - £10,000 per grant (typical range)
  • Trustees select themes for two-year periods
  • Charities are identified, shortlisted, and invited to apply
  • Website closed to unsolicited applications
  • Current themes: Literacy and Young People's Mental Health

Application Method: Rolling invitations to shortlisted organizations only

Priority Areas

The Trust's current exclusive focus areas are:

  • Literacy: Supporting organizations that promote reading, writing, and literacy skills
  • Young People's Mental Health: Organizations providing mental health support and services to young people

Historical funding priorities (prior to the invitation-only model):

  • Medicine and Healthcare (largest category historically)
  • Societal and Community Cohesion
  • Education
  • Support for disabled people
  • Conservation and protection of green spaces, coastal areas, and endangered species
  • Arts accessibility and outdoor experiences
  • Theatres and festivals

What They Don't Fund

  • Charities less than five years old
  • Organizations with annual income below £150,000
  • Charities considered “too small” by trustees
  • Organizations outside designated geographic areas
  • More than one grant to any organization within a 12-month period (though renewal support possible in subsequent years)
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Claire Cartledge
  • Sue Down
  • Elspeth McGregor
  • Annie Youngman
  • Rupert Youngman

All trustees are descendants of founder John Coates. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Leadership Perspective

Dame Laura Lee, Maggie's Chief Executive, praised the Trust's support: "The John Coates Charitable Trust have been of invaluable support to Maggie's and we could not have built" their Southampton centre without them.

The Trust emphasizes: “We receive many more applications than we can possibly support,” indicating highly competitive funding conditions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Current Process (Invitation Only):

  1. Trustees select thematic priorities for two-year periods
  2. Trustees identify and shortlist charities working within these themes
  3. Shortlisted charities receive formal invitations to apply via the website
  4. Website remains closed to unsolicited applications from other charities

Eligibility Requirements:

  • UK-registered charity
  • Working in the UK for UK residents
  • Annual Charity Commission reporting up to date
  • Minimum five years of operation
  • Minimum annual income of £150,000
  • Working within current thematic priorities (Literacy or Young People's Mental Health)
  • Located in or serving designated geographic areas

Decision Timeline

  • Trustees meet twice annually (Summer and Winter)
  • Applications reviewed according to biannual meeting schedules
  • Specific decision timelines not publicly disclosed
  • Notifications sent following trustee meetings

Success Rates

  • 20% overall success rate (one in five applicants)
  • 90 grants awarded in most recent reporting period
  • Average grant size: £5,400
  • “Majority had been supported before,” indicating strong preference for repeat grantees
  • 14 new charities supported in recent period, demonstrating openness to new relationships

Reapplication Policy

  • Unsuccessful applicants must wait two years before reapplying
  • Exception: Trust may invite specific charities to apply sooner at their discretion
  • Only one grant per organization within any 12-month period
  • Trustees may choose to renew support in subsequent years

Application Success Factors

What the Trust Values

Organizational Characteristics:

  • Long-term vision: Trustees favor organizations with strategic planning
  • Financial sustainability: Prefer established, financially stable organizations
  • Track record of positive impact: Evidence of successful program delivery
  • Relationship building: "Majority had been supported before, reflecting the Trust's desire to build relationships with its grantees"

Preferred Organization Profile:

  • Average income of supported charities: £3,600,000
  • Reflects preference for financially sustainable national charities
  • Approximately half of grants support national organizations operating across the UK

Common Rejection Reasons

Applications typically declined because:

  1. Too small: Organization doesn't meet minimum size requirements
  2. Out of area: Geographic location outside designated regions
  3. Insufficient information: “Lack of information about the need and how the proposed work would help address it”

Examples of Funded Organizations

  • Maggie's: Supported construction of Southampton centre and planning for Cambridge centre
  • NASS (National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society): Founded by John Coates himself
  • Frozen Light Theatre: Among cultural organizations supported
  • Four grants in recent period supported overseas humanitarian relief

Strategic Guidance

  • Clearly articulate the community need your work addresses
  • Demonstrate how your proposed work will solve the identified problem
  • Emphasize organizational sustainability and long-term vision
  • Highlight track record of impact
  • Ensure geographic alignment with Trust's focus areas
  • Align work explicitly with current thematic priorities (Literacy or Young People's Mental Health)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model: Currently no open application process; Trust proactively identifies and invites potential grantees
  • Thematic focus changes every two years: Current themes are Literacy and Young People's Mental Health; monitor for future theme announcements
  • Relationship-focused: Strong preference for building long-term relationships with grantees; repeat funding common
  • Financial sustainability matters: Prefer established charities with minimum £150,000 income and five-year track record
  • Geographic specificity: Ensure your work falls within designated areas (national scope or specific regions: North Devon, London areas, Cambridge, Hampshire, Norfolk, Surrey, West Sussex)
  • Articulate need clearly: Primary rejection reason is insufficient information about community need and proposed solutions
  • Patient approach: Biannual review cycle means longer wait times; unsuccessful applicants face two-year waiting period before reapplying

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