The Jth Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £200,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (applications reviewed within 1-3 months)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (small grants to larger awards)
• Geographic Focus: Glasgow (primary), Central belt, Argyll & Isles, Scotland-wide
• Charity Number: SC000201

Contact Details

Address: Harper Macleod LLP, The Ca'd'oro, 45 Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3PE

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0141 304 3434

Applications: Submit written applications to Harper Macleod LLP at the address above

Overview

The JTH Charitable Trust (also known as the James T Howat Charitable Trust) was established in 1989 and is registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) under charity number SC000201. The trust distributes approximately £200,000 annually in grants to voluntary and community organisations across Scotland. Administered by Harper Macleod LLP, a prominent Glasgow law firm, the trust's primary focus is supporting projects that benefit Glasgow and its citizens, though funding extends to the central belt, Argyll & Isles area, and Scotland-wide projects. The trust takes a broad approach to charitable giving, supporting both capital and revenue costs across diverse sectors including health, education, arts and culture, social welfare, and environmental conservation. The trust prioritizes local initiatives where their funding can make a meaningful difference.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant program with quarterly application deadlines. Specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, though the trust references “small grants” for wider Scottish and UK projects that can be applied locally, suggesting a tiered approach to funding.

Application Schedule: Rolling applications reviewed quarterly

• March meeting (apply by mid-February)
• June meeting (apply by mid-May)
• September meeting (apply by mid-August)
• December meeting (apply by mid-November)

Type of Costs: Both capital and revenue funding available

Priority Areas

The trust funds a wide range of charitable activities including:

• Animal welfare: Projects supporting animal protection and welfare
• Arts and culture: Cultural initiatives and artistic programs
• Education and training: Educational projects and skills development
• Health care and wellbeing: Health services and wellness programs
• Mental health care: Mental health support services
• Sport and physical activity: Sports programs and recreational activities
• Respite and holidays: Respite care and recreational breaks
• Social care and welfare: Social services and community support
• Environment and heritage: Conservation and heritage preservation

Beneficiary Groups

The trust supports projects benefiting:

• Children and young people
• Families
• Older people
• People with disabilities (physical, learning, and mental health conditions)
• Economically or socially disadvantaged individuals
• Homeless or badly housed people
• Veterans and armed forces personnel
• Local communities
• General public

Geographic Priorities

Primary focus: Projects benefiting Glasgow and its citizens

Secondary focus: Central belt and Argyll & Isles area

Considered for small grants: Other Scottish and UK-wide projects if they can be applied locally

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly listed. Contact the trust directly for clarification on ineligible activities or organizations.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is administered by Harper Macleod LLP, a Glasgow-based law firm specializing in trusts and trust funds management. The trustees meet quarterly to review grant applications. Specific names of individual trustees are not publicly available in current OSCR records, though new regulations will require trustee names to be published from January 2026.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Written application submitted to Harper Macleod LLP

Required Materials:

• Single A4 summary of the project/request
• Organization accounts
• Business plan (if applicable)
• Foundation documents (constitution, governing documents)
• Any other relevant information supporting the application

Contact for Applications:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 0141 304 3434
• Post: Harper Macleod LLP, The Ca'd'oro, 45 Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3PE

Decision Timeline

The trustees meet quarterly to consider grant applications:

• March meeting: Submit by mid-February
• June meeting: Submit by mid-May
• September meeting: Submit by mid-August
• December meeting: Submit by mid-November

Applications are typically reviewed within 1-3 months depending on when submitted relative to the next trustee meeting.

Post-Award Requirements

“It is a condition of any grant given that a report will be made as to how the funds have been used.” Grant recipients must provide accountability reporting on the use of funds received.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. As a locally-focused trust with relatively modest annual giving (£200,000 distributed across multiple grants), competition may be moderate to high.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly stated. Contact the trust directly to inquire about reapplication if an initial application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's stated priorities and approach, successful applications likely demonstrate:

Geographic alignment: Applications from Glasgow-based organizations or projects directly benefiting Glasgow citizens appear to receive priority. The trust explicitly states Glasgow is their primary focus, so clearly articulate the Glasgow connection.

Local impact: The trust emphasizes supporting “local initiatives where their help can make a real difference.” Demonstrate tangible, measurable local impact rather than broad, diffuse benefits.

Clear reporting capability: Since post-award reporting is mandatory, applications should demonstrate organizational capacity for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on fund usage.

Diverse charitable purposes: With such a broad range of funded activities (from animal welfare to arts to social care), the trust appears open to varied charitable work. Don't self-select out based on narrow assumptions about eligibility.

Appropriate scale: References to “small grants” for wider Scottish projects suggest applications should be appropriately scaled to the trust's annual giving (£200,000 total). Very large requests may be less competitive.

Recent Grant Examples

• IWORK4ME: £500 (self-employment support for autistic people in Scotland)
• Kirkmichael Trust: Amount not disclosed (heritage preservation)
• Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation: Amount not disclosed (drug awareness education)
• Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland: Amount not disclosed
• Royal Scottish National Orchestra: Amount not disclosed
• National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS): Amount not disclosed

Application Tips

1. Submit early in the cycle: With only four meeting dates per year, timing matters. Submit well before the mid-month deadline to ensure consideration at the next meeting.

1. Keep it concise: The requirement for a “single A4 summary” suggests trustees value clarity and brevity. Make your case compelling but succinct.

1. Emphasize Glasgow connection: Even if your organization operates more widely, highlight specific benefits to Glasgow residents or communities.

1. Include complete documentation: Submit accounts, business plans, and governing documents together to avoid delays or requests for additional information.

1. Demonstrate accountability: Show how you'll track and report on fund usage, given this is a mandatory requirement.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is critical: Glasgow-based projects receive priority, followed by central belt and Argyll & Isles. Clearly demonstrate local benefit.

• Broad thematic eligibility: The trust funds across diverse sectors—don't assume your cause is outside scope. Both capital and revenue costs are eligible.

• Quarterly deadlines require planning: With only four decision points per year, missing a deadline means waiting months. Plan applications around the quarterly cycle.

• Modest grant amounts likely: With £200,000 annual giving and references to “small grants,” expectations should be calibrated accordingly. The example of £500 to IWORK4ME suggests grants may range from hundreds to low thousands of pounds.

• Accountability is non-negotiable: Post-award reporting is mandatory. Be prepared to demonstrate impact and fund usage.

• No online portal: This is a traditional, correspondence-based application process. Professional written applications with complete supporting documents are essential.

• Personal connection may help: As a locally-focused trust administered by a Glasgow law firm, establishing relationships or demonstrating community connections could be valuable.

References

1. Funding Scotland - James T Howat Charitable Trust profile, https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000000Ng6jEAC/james-t-howat-charitable-trust

1. Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) - Charity Details SC000201, https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC000201

1. Glasgow Life - James T Howat Charitable Trust, https://glasgowlife.sportsuite.co.uk/funding/1229

1. Find that Charity - GB-SC-SC000201 James T Howat Charitable Trust, https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-SC-SC000201

1. IWORK4ME - James T Howat Charitable Trust donation announcement, https://www.iwork4me.org.uk/james-t-howat-charitable-trust-donation/

1. Kirkmichael Trust - Sponsors listing, https://www.kirkmichael.info/sponsors.html

1. Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation - James T Howat Trust acknowledgment, https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/james-t-howat-trust/

1. Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland - Charitable Trusts and Foundations, https://www.chss.org.uk/supportus/fundraise-for-us/charitable-trusts-and-foundations/