The Macdonald-buchanan Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £130,000 - £304,000 (variable)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Annual trustee meetings
• Grant Range: Not specified
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Northamptonshire
• Established: 1952 (registered 1964)

Contact Details

Address: Rathbones Trust Company Limited, 30 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QN

Phone: 0207 399 0444

Email: rtccharities@rathbones.com

Note: When applying, clearly identify “The Macdonald-Buchanan Charitable Trust” in your email subject line, as Rathbones manages multiple trusts through this contact point.

Overview

The Macdonald-Buchanan Charitable Trust was established by charitable trust deed on 9 December 1952 and registered with the Charity Commission on 26 February 1964. The trust represents the philanthropic legacy of the Macdonald-Buchanan family, whose wealth originated from James Buchanan, Lord Woolavington, founder of Buchanan's Black & White whisky. The family has strong historical connections to Northamptonshire, having owned Cottesbrooke Hall since 1936. The trust operates with broad discretionary powers, allowing trustees to support diverse charitable causes across multiple sectors. In recent years, annual expenditure has ranged from £131,000 to £304,000, occasionally drawing on capital reserves to fund significant projects. The trust's grant-making approach emphasizes trustee discretion, with individual trustees researching projects and bringing proposals to annual meetings for collective discussion and debate.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate formal grant programs with specified funding bands. Instead, it operates as a discretionary grant-making foundation where trustees allocate income and capital according to their assessment of charitable need and impact.

Application Method: Email applications to rtccharities@rathbones.com on a rolling basis, reviewed at annual trustee meetings.

Priority Areas

The trust supports a broad range of charitable purposes including:

• Education and Training: Supporting educational initiatives and skill development programs
• Health and Saving Lives: Advancement of health-related charities and life-saving services
• Disability Support: Organizations supporting people with disabilities
• Animal Welfare: Charities focused on animal protection and welfare
• Environment, Conservation and Heritage: Environmental protection and heritage preservation projects
• General Charitable Purposes: Support for elderly/old people, children/young people, and other charitable bodies

The trust has particular historical connections to Northamptonshire causes, reflecting the family's long association with the county.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a discretionary trust, funding decisions rest entirely with the trustees' judgment.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust is governed by four trustees who maintain gender balance (50% male, 50% female):

• Alastair Reginald Macdonald-Buchanan: Current owner of Lavington Stud, the historic stud farm founded by his great-grandfather Lord Woolavington. Also serves as trustee of The Hospital of John Langham.

• Hugh Macdonald-Buchanan: Member of the Macdonald-Buchanan family continuing the family's philanthropic tradition.

• Camilla Mary Lascelles (appointed 2021): Brings contemporary perspective to the trust's decision-making.

• Joanna Catherine Lascelles (appointed 2012): Also serves as trustee of The Carriejo Charitable Trust.

All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, reflecting a commitment to purely philanthropic service.

Family Legacy

The trust continues the philanthropic work of Captain John Macdonald-Buchanan (1925-2014), who earned the Military Cross and served as Vice-Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, and Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire. He was a governor of Christ's Hospital School, a committee member of Victim Support in Northampton, and a founder member of the Northampton Five Charities Association.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Email Applications: All grant applications must be submitted via email to rtccharities@rathbones.com

Critical Requirement: The subject line of your email must clearly identify “The Macdonald-Buchanan Charitable Trust” as the intended recipient, since Rathbones Trust Company administers multiple charitable trusts through this single contact point.

Application Format: No specific application form or format has been publicly documented. Organizations should prepare comprehensive proposals detailing their charitable purpose, project description, budget, and alignment with the trust's broad charitable objectives.

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: The trustees meet annually to review applications for funding
• Notification: Only successful applicants are notified of the trustees' decision
• Timeline: Given annual meetings, applicants should expect decisions to take several months depending on submission timing relative to the trustee meeting schedule

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The trust does not publish lists of grant recipients or application statistics.

Reapplication Policy

Certain charities are supported annually, although no commitment is given. This suggests that successful applicants may receive ongoing support, but repeat funding is never guaranteed and remains at trustee discretion.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about this trust's specific preferences, the following factors are likely important based on the trust's structure and governance:

Alignment with Broad Charitable Purposes: The trust's founding documents emphasize discretionary powers across “such charitable purposes...as the Trustees may in their absolute discretion think fit.” This suggests trustees value projects demonstrating clear charitable benefit across their stated priority areas.

Northamptonshire Connections: While the trust operates nationally, the family's deep historical roots in Northamptonshire (Cottesbrooke Hall, civic leadership roles) suggest projects benefiting this county may receive favorable consideration.

Trustee-Researched Projects: The trust's approach involves “trustees individually research projects and bring proposals to their annual meeting for discussion and debate.” This indicates applications that facilitate trustee research—providing comprehensive background, clear outcomes, and verifiable impact—will be advantageous.

Multi-Year Support Potential: The note that “certain charities are supported annually” suggests trustees value long-term relationships with effective organizations. First-time applicants might consider framing proposals with potential for ongoing partnership.

Financial Prudence: Recent financial data shows the trust occasionally draws on capital reserves for substantial grants. This suggests willingness to support significant projects, but applications should demonstrate careful financial planning and value for money.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Discretionary Trust: Funding decisions rest entirely with four family trustees who meet annually—applications must convince this small, knowledgeable group rather than professional grant officers

• No Public Application Process Details: The absence of detailed guidelines or application forms suggests flexibility but requires applicants to craft compelling, comprehensive proposals without a template

• Annual Decision Cycle: With trustees meeting once yearly, timing is critical—submit well in advance of anticipated project start dates

• Silence Means Rejection: Only successful applicants are notified, so lack of response should be interpreted as an unsuccessful application

• Northamptonshire Legacy: The family's deep connection to Northamptonshire through Cottesbrooke Hall and civic leadership suggests local projects may align with trustees' interests and knowledge

• Broad Charitable Scope: The trust supports diverse causes from animals to health to heritage—don't self-eliminate based on narrow focus assumptions

• Relationship Potential: Some charities receive annual support, indicating trustees value proven impact and may prefer deepening relationships with effective organizations over constantly seeking new beneficiaries

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Macdonald-Buchanan Charitable Trust (209994). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=209994&subid=0

• Giving is Great Database: The Macdonald-Buchanan Charitable Trust Factsheet. https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=209994

• Charity Commission Register: Contact Information for The Macdonald-Buchanan Charitable Trust. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/209994/contact-information

• Geni Genealogy: Captain John Macdonald-Buchanan (1925-2014). https://www.geni.com/people/Captain-John-Macdonald-Buchanan-M-C/6000000010024289365

• Charity Commission: Oliver Stanley Charitable Trust - Application Process (illustrative of Rathbones-managed trust procedures). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1022815/full-print