The London Marathon Charitable Trust Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £5.9m (2022, second highest ever)
• Success Rate: 28% (Expression of Interest stage)
• Decision Time: 30 working days for EOI; 4 rounds annually for full applications
• Grant Range: £10,000 - £80,000 (occasionally higher for capital projects)
• Geographic Focus: London (Active Spaces Fund), UK-wide (other programs)

Contact Details

Website: www.londonmarathonfoundation.org

Email: info@londonmarathonfoundation.org

Phone: 020 7902 0215

Charity Number: 283813

Overview

Founded in 1981 by London Marathon co-founders Chris Brasher and John Disley, The London Marathon Charitable Trust Limited (operating as London Marathon Foundation) is one of the UK's major charitable funders of initiatives to support people in leading active and healthy lives. The Foundation has awarded over £110 million to more than 1,600 projects since inception, reaching a significant milestone of £100 million in cumulative funding in 2023. All income comes from London Marathon Events through corporate Gift Aid, with the Foundation receiving £5.9m in 2022 (its second highest annual total after £8.3m in 2018). The Foundation believes that participating in sport and physical activity has the power to change lives and focuses on inspiring children and adults across the UK to lead active and healthy lives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Active Spaces Fund: £10,000 - £80,000 (occasionally higher for capital projects) - Rolling applications with EOI system
• Facilities Grants Programme: £5,000 - £250,000 (Small grants £5,000-£50,000; Major grants £50,000-£250,000) - Focus on London and Surrey
• Strategic Partnership Grants: Variable amounts for proactive collaborations addressing inequality in physical activity access

Priority Areas

• Projects that inspire physical activity among children and adults
• Facilities development and modernization for sports and physical activity
• Supporting least active and underserved groups and communities
• Areas with fewer existing spaces/facilities or high levels of deprivation
• Community-based organizations with strong local connections

What They Don't Fund

• Projects that primarily promote religion or seek to convert individuals
• Faith-based projects that don't benefit the wider community
• Projects outside their geographic focus areas
• Organizations already funded through Go! London (cannot apply simultaneously)

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Sir Rodney Walker

Executive Director: Catherine Anderson (appointed April 2021, formerly CEO of Jo Cox Foundation)

Group CEO: Nick Bitel (London Marathon Group)

Group Funding and Impact Director: Mike Diaper

Recent Trustee Appointments (2025): Aida Cable, Shrina Shah, and Denise Stephenson

Catherine Anderson noted: “The organisation received £5.9m in the 2022 calendar year, its second highest ever total after the £8.3m raised in 2018.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two-stage process:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit at any time throughout the year via online portal
2. Full Application: By invitation only after successful EOI

Decision Timeline

• EOI Response: 30 working days
• Full Applications: Four rounds annually with set deadlines (under £100,000)
• Applications over £100,000: Additional month for processing

Success Rates

• EOI Success Rate: 28% are invited to full application stage
• Partnership funding is required and must be demonstrated during application

Reapplication Policy

Applications can be resubmitted throughout the year for the EOI stage. No specific waiting period mentioned for unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Key Requirements from the Foundation:

• Partnership funding must be secured or planned
• Projects should take place in areas of greatest need
• Organizations should have close community connections
• Projects must improve and activate spaces beyond the funding period
• Demonstrate how the project will support priority groups and achieve outcomes

What They Look For:

• Community letters of support and existing relationships
• Clear demonstration of need in the target area
• Sustainable impact beyond funding period
• Strong diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations
• Real Living Wage commitment
• Environmental sustainability planning

Recent Funding Examples:

• £2.4 million awarded to 81 projects through Active Spaces Fund (2023)
• Focus on projects that “challenge inequality of access to physical activity”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Community Connection is Critical: Organizations must demonstrate strong relationships with the communities they serve
• Partnership Funding Required: Applications must show additional funding sources secured or planned
• Geographic Targeting: Active Spaces Fund focuses on London; other programs may have UK-wide scope
• Two-Stage Process: Invest time in strong EOI as only 28% progress to full application
• Sustainability Focus: Projects must demonstrate lasting impact beyond funding period
• Flexibility Available: Foundation commits to being flexible with application timelines
• Rolling Basis: EOIs accepted year-round, providing multiple opportunities to apply

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Football Foundation
• The Wimbledon Foundation
• The Dulverton Trust
• THE CADOGAN CHARITY
• PEACOCK CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE SIMON GIBSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Christopher Laing Foundation
• THE LINDER FOUNDATION
• PORTERS TRUST
• Heritage Lottery Fund

References

• London Marathon Foundation website: www.londonmarathonfoundation.org
• 360Giving GrantNav data showing 775 grants totaling £62,403,416 to 555 recipients
• UK Fundraising: “London Marathon Foundation reaches £100mn funding landmark”
• Civil Society: “London Marathon Foundation reaches £100m funding milestone” (2023)
• Active Spaces Fund guidelines and application process documentation
• Charity Commission Register entry for charity 283813
• London Marathon Foundation Annual Reports section