The Mackintosh Foundation

Charity Number: 327751

Annual Expenditure: £1.3M
Throughout England And Wales, Greece, Malta, United States, Scotland

Contact Info

Phone:020 7637 8866

Email:info@camack.co.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Over £27 million donated since 1988
  • Decision Time: 4-6 weeks typical response time
  • Grant Range: Up to £10,000 (grants committee); larger grants considered by trustees
  • Geographic Focus: UK (preference for theatre education); international for other themes
  • Meeting Schedule: Quarterly (March, June, September, December); weekly grants committee for smaller awards

Contact Details

Address: 1 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3RB

Email: info@camack.co.uk

Phone: 020 7637 8866

Overview

The Mackintosh Foundation was established in 1988 by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, the renowned theatrical producer. Since its inception, the foundation has donated over £27 million to charitable causes. The foundation operates as a private company limited by guarantee and is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity Number 327751). While the foundation supports a broad spectrum of causes including medical research, community development, the environment, homelessness, and education, its core focus in recent years has been theatre training and education. The foundation is notable for its significant support of theatre infrastructure and talent development, including multi-year commitments to programmes like the Theatre Trust's Small Grants Programme and the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Musical Theatre Writer scheme.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants (up to £10,000)

  • Considered weekly by the grants committee
  • Rolling application process
  • Faster turnaround time

Large Grants (over £10,000)

  • Considered by trustees at quarterly meetings
  • More substantial projects requiring greater investment
  • Multi-year funding commitments available for strategic partnerships

Notable Programme Support:

  • £150,000 over five years to Theatre Trust's Small Grants Programme (from 2022)
  • Over £1 million to Theatre Artists Fund during the pandemic
  • Cameron Mackintosh Resident Musical Theatre Writer Placements (since 2011, 19 placements awarded)

Priority Areas

Theatre and Performing Arts (Core Focus)

  • Theatre training and education
  • Theatre refurbishment and restoration projects
  • Musical theatre development programmes
  • Theatre infrastructure improvements
  • Professional development for theatre artists and composers

Medical Research and Healthcare

  • AIDS/Cancer research and treatment
  • General medical research
  • Relief of sickness

Community and Social Welfare

  • Relief of poverty
  • Support for homeless and poverty-stricken individuals
  • General community projects

Education

  • Schools and educational institutions
  • Children and young people's education
  • Arts education

Environment

  • Conservation and protection of nature
  • Enhancement of countryside amenities and areas of natural beauty in the UK

What They Don't Fund

Information on specific exclusions is not publicly detailed. Applicants should note the foundation's preference for UK organisations for theatre education themes, though international organisations may be considered for other charitable themes.

Governance and Leadership

Chair: Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh (appointed 1988)

Trustees:

  • Nicholas David Allott OBE - Theatre Producer (appointed 1988)
  • Nicholas Ian Macdonald Mackintosh - Theatrical Producer (appointed 2002)
  • Robert Frederick Strang Noble - Company Director (appointed 2003)
  • Bart Peerless - Lawyer (appointed 2010)
  • F Richard Pappas - Lawyer (appointed 2010)
  • Thomas Schonberg - Theatre Producer (appointed 2010)

The trustee board brings extensive experience from the theatre industry, legal sector, and business leadership, reflecting the foundation's commitment to professional governance and its deep roots in the performing arts sector.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be made in writing to the Appeals Secretary at the foundation's address (1 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3RB) or via email to info@camack.co.uk.

Application Requirements:

  • Details of your organisation
  • Description of the project requiring funding
  • Detailed breakdown of costs involved
  • Keep supporting documentation to a minimum
  • Include a stamped addressed envelope if you want materials returned

Application Timing:

  • Applications accepted year-round (rolling basis)
  • For consideration at quarterly trustee meetings, submit applications 3-4 weeks before meeting dates
  • Quarterly meetings held in March, June, September, and December
  • Weekly grants committee considers applications up to £10,000

Decision Timeline

  • Typical response time: 4-6 weeks
  • All applications receive a written response
  • Smaller grants (up to £10,000) may be processed more quickly through the weekly grants committee
  • Larger grants requiring trustee approval follow the quarterly meeting schedule

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the foundation has supported numerous organisations and awarded grants across a broad spectrum of causes, suggesting a reasonable level of accessibility for well-aligned projects.

Reapplication Policy

Information on reapplication policies is not publicly specified. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the foundation directly to discuss eligibility for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Theatre Focus: Projects involving theatre training, education, or infrastructure improvements are particularly well-positioned given the foundation's core focus in recent years. The foundation has demonstrated sustained commitment to theatre development through multi-year partnerships.

Clear Project Costs: Applications should include a detailed breakdown of costs. The foundation values transparency and clarity in financial planning.

Minimal Documentation: The foundation explicitly requests that supporting documentation be kept to a minimum, suggesting they value concise, focused applications over lengthy submissions.

Strategic Timing: For grants over £10,000, submitting applications 3-4 weeks before quarterly meetings (March, June, September, December) ensures timely consideration. For grants up to £10,000, the weekly committee structure offers more flexibility.

Examples of Funded Initiatives:

  • Theatre Trust's Small Grants Programme (infrastructure improvements for theatres, grants up to £7,500)
  • Cameron Mackintosh Resident Musical Theatre Writer Placements at venues including Royal Shakespeare Company, Theatr Clwyd, Dundee Rep, British Youth Music Theatre, The Lowry, and Octagon Theatre Bolton
  • Theatre Artists Fund (individual grants of £1,000 to freelance theatre workers during the pandemic)

Geographic Considerations: While the foundation has a preference for UK organisations, particularly for theatre education projects, international organisations may be considered for other charitable themes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Theatre projects have clear advantage: With theatre training and education as the core focus in 2024, applications in this area are particularly well-positioned for success.
  • Consider grant size strategically: If your project can be structured for under £10,000, you'll benefit from weekly consideration rather than waiting for quarterly meetings.
  • Keep it concise: The foundation explicitly asks for minimal documentation—focus on clarity and impact rather than volume.
  • Plan ahead for larger grants: Allow 3-4 weeks before quarterly meetings (March, June, September, December) for consideration of grants over £10,000.
  • Multi-year partnerships are possible: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to commit to strategic multi-year funding (e.g., £150,000 over five years to Theatre Trust), so don't limit your ask to single-year projects if a longer commitment makes strategic sense.
  • Demonstrate sustainability and impact: Projects that help organisations become viable and thrive long-term appear to resonate, as evidenced by support for infrastructure improvements and professional development schemes.
  • Build on established relationships: The foundation has supported organisations like Theatre Trust through multiple programmes, suggesting that successful partnerships can lead to ongoing support.

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References