The Macdaibhidh Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £645,583 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide and international

Contact Details

• Email: macdaibhidhtrust@btinternet.com
• Phone: 01414283353
• Address: c/o Brodies LLP, 110 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3BX

Note: The trust does not seek unsolicited applications and replies only to successful applicants to minimize administrative costs.

Overview

THE MACDAIBHIDH CHARITABLE TRUST was registered as a charity in England and Wales in September 2016 (Charity Number 1169069). The trust operates as a grant-making foundation supporting other charities throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. With annual expenditure of £645,583 in 2024 significantly exceeding its income of £93,745, the trust appears to be drawing on capital to support its charitable activities. The trust's strategic approach emphasizes actively inviting applications from organizations whose purposes align with its objectives rather than accepting open applications. This selective model allows the trust to maintain minimal administrative costs while focusing resources on grant-making activities that advance its core charitable purposes: relieving poverty, advancing religion (particularly Christianity), promoting health or saving lives, and advancing education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant-making program supporting registered charities that further the trust's charitable objectives. Specific grant amounts and ranges are not publicly disclosed. The trust does not operate fixed grant rounds or deadlines, preferring an invitation-based approach.

Application Method: The trust actively invites applications from potential recipients rather than accepting open applications. Unsolicited applications will be considered but are not encouraged.

Priority Areas

The trust focuses on four primary charitable objectives:

• Advancement of Christianity: Supporting Christian organizations and activities
• Prevention or Relief of Poverty: Organizations working to alleviate poverty and support disadvantaged communities
• Advancement of Health or Saving of Lives: Health-related charities and life-saving initiatives
• Advancement of Education: Educational programs and institutions

The trust supports charities operating throughout the UK and internationally.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, based on the trust's objectives, funding is limited to registered charities that advance one or more of the four primary charitable purposes outlined above.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• John Davidson (Chair) - Appointed 2016, Occupation: Solicitor
• Janet Alison Davidson - Appointed 2016
• Brodies & Co. (Trustees) Limited - Corporate trustee, Appointed 2016

All three trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust employs no staff and operates with minimal administrative overhead. Brodies LLP, a major Scottish law firm, provides registered office services and professional trustee services to the trust from their Glasgow office at 110 Queen Street.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The trust does not maintain an open application process or online portal. According to the charity's stated policy:

• The trustees actively invite applications from potential recipients whose purposes align with the trust's charitable objectives
• Unsolicited applications will be considered but are not actively sought
• To minimize administrative costs, the trust replies only to successful applicants
• Initial contact should be made via email (macdaibhidhtrust@btinternet.com) or phone (01414283353)

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the small trustee board and lack of regular grant rounds, decisions may be made on a rolling basis as applications are invited or received.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The trust's policy of only replying to successful applicants means unsuccessful applicants receive no communication.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Given the invitation-based model, organizations may need to maintain relationships with trustees to be considered for future funding opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about the trust's grant-making activities, the following factors appear important for potential applicants:

• Alignment with Core Objectives: Clear demonstration that your charity advances one or more of the trust's four primary objectives (Christianity, poverty relief, health/saving lives, education)
• Registered Charity Status: The trust explicitly supports other registered charities
• Relationship-Based Approach: The invitation-based model suggests that building awareness of your organization with the trustees may be beneficial
• Christian Focus: With advancement of Christianity listed as a primary objective and the trust appearing on Christian funders directories, faith-based organizations may be particularly well-positioned
• UK or International Work: The trust supports charities working throughout the UK and internationally, indicating broad geographic flexibility

Key Challenge: The trust's policy of not seeking unsolicited applications and only replying to successful applicants creates a high barrier to entry for organizations without existing relationships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-based model: This trust operates differently from most funders - they actively invite applications rather than accepting open submissions. Building awareness of your organization may be necessary before receiving an invitation.
• Christian alignment strongly favored: The advancement of Christianity is listed as a primary objective, making faith-based organizations likely candidates for funding.
• Expect no response if unsuccessful: The trust explicitly states they only reply to successful applicants, so lack of response should be interpreted as rejection.
• Professional trustee management: With Brodies LLP (a major Scottish law firm) serving as corporate trustee and providing registered office services, expect professional due diligence processes.
• Significant grant-making capacity: Annual expenditure exceeding £645,000 indicates substantial grant-making activity despite the low-profile approach.
• Minimal public disclosure: Limited information about grant recipients, amounts, or success stories makes it difficult to identify the types of projects that succeed. Direct contact may be necessary to understand current priorities.
• Multi-objective flexibility: The trust's four broad charitable purposes provide some flexibility for different types of organizations, though Christian organizations appear to be the primary focus.

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - THE MACDAIBHIDH CHARITABLE TRUST (Charity No. 1169069), Register of Charities. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1169069 (Accessed: 7 November 2025)
• Charity Commission - What, who, how, where details for THE MACDAIBHIDH CHARITABLE TRUST. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5085760/what-who-how-where (Accessed: 7 November 2025)
• Christian Funders Forum - The MacDaibhidh Charitable Trust listing. Available at: https://christianfundersforum.org/listing/the-macdaibhidh-charitable-trust-2/ (Accessed: 7 November 2025)
• Giving is Great - THE MACDAIBHIDH CHARITABLE TRUST Charity Factsheet. Available at: https://givingisgreat.org.uk/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1169069 (Accessed: 7 November 2025)