The Malcolm Isaac Charitable Trust
Charity Number: 1064591
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £168,072 (FYE April 2023)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
- Geographic Focus: Worldwide
- Charity Number: 1064591
Contact Details
Address: Onslow House, Onslow Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4TL
Phone: 01483407100
Website: None identified
Email: Not publicly available
The trust is administered by Smith & Williamson Ltd (now Evelyn Partners).
Overview
The Malcolm Isaac Charitable Trust was established on 1 August 1996 and registered as a charity on 25 September 1997. The trust was founded by Malcolm Isaac MBE FRAgS, a pioneering figure in the UK watercress and salad industry who built Vitacress Salads from a one-acre plot in 1951 into an international business supplying over one million bags of salads weekly before its sale in 2008.
The trust applies funds for charitable purposes as the trustees see fit in any part of the world, with a particular interest in supporting medical and horticultural projects. In the financial year ending April 2023, the trust had an income of £57,884 and made grants totaling £168,072, demonstrating active grant-making that exceeds annual income, drawing on accumulated reserves.
Malcolm Isaac completed his Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 1967, which he credited as instrumental to his success. He established the Malcolm Isaac Scholarship with the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust to provide funding in perpetuity for horticultural scholarships, reflecting his commitment to supporting the next generation in horticulture.
Funding Priorities
Priority Areas
Horticulture: The trust has a particular interest in supporting horticultural projects, education, and training. This reflects the founder's background in salad production and his legacy through the Malcolm Isaac Scholarship for horticultural studies.
Medical and Health: The trust prioritizes the advancement of health or saving of lives, including medical research and health-related projects.
Education and Training: Support for educational initiatives, particularly those related to horticulture and health.
Research: Sponsoring or undertaking research in areas aligned with the trust's charitable purposes.
What They Don't Fund
Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a small private trust operating through trustee discretion, they likely focus grants within their stated priority areas of medical and horticultural projects.
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Governance and Leadership
Trustees:
- Mr. Malcolm John Isaac (Founder - deceased September 2024 at age 95)
- Mrs. Jill Elisabeth Isaac
- Mr. David Wallace Russell
The trust is governed by a Trust Deed dated 1 August 1996, as amended by Deed of Variation dated 18 August 1997 and supplemental trust deeds of 11 May 2009 and 12 June 2009.
No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust has no employees and does not operate any trading subsidiaries.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This trust does not have a public application process. There is no website, application portal, or publicly available application guidelines.
The trust operates through trustee discretion, with the trustees applying funds “for such charitable purposes as the trustees see fit” within their areas of interest. Grants appear to be awarded based on trustees' knowledge, connections, and identification of worthy causes rather than through an open competitive process.
Given the trust's small size and the specific focus areas aligned with the founder's legacy, grants are likely directed to:
- Organizations known to the trustees
- Projects identified through their networks in horticulture and healthcare
- Initiatives that align with Malcolm Isaac's legacy in agricultural innovation and education
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - no public application process.
Success Rates
Not applicable - no public application process.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - no public application process.
Application Success Factors
As this trust does not accept unsolicited applications, the key factors for receiving funding appear to be:
Alignment with Founder's Legacy: Projects that connect to Malcolm Isaac's pioneering work in horticulture, particularly watercress and salad production, or his commitment to agricultural education and innovation, may resonate with the trustees.
Connection to Priority Areas: Clear focus on either horticultural advancement or medical/health improvement, ideally combining both (such as therapeutic horticulture or health benefits of fresh produce).
Education and Training Component: Malcolm Isaac's commitment to the Nuffield Farming Scholarships demonstrates the importance he placed on education. Projects with strong educational or training elements in horticulture or health may align with the trust's values.
Research Focus: The trust explicitly mentions sponsoring or undertaking research, suggesting value placed on evidence-based innovation and advancement in their priority fields.
Geographic Flexibility: While based in Surrey, the trust's objectives explicitly state they operate “in any part of the world,” suggesting openness to international projects of sufficient merit.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No public application process exists - this trust awards grants through trustee discretion only
- Annual grant-making of approximately £168,000 demonstrates active philanthropy despite modest income
- Dual focus on horticulture and medical/health projects - ideally these areas might intersect (e.g., therapeutic gardens, nutritional health research)
- Education and research components strengthen alignment with the founder's legacy and stated priorities
- Strong connection to Malcolm Isaac's pioneering work in bringing baby leaf salads and pre-packed watercress to the UK market may inform trustee interests
- Small trustee board of three individuals means grant decisions are highly personal and relationship-based
- No overhead for administration - trust administered by professional trustees at Evelyn Partners, allowing funds to focus on charitable purposes
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References
- UK Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Malcolm Isaac Charitable Trust (Charity Number 1064591).. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1064591
- Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust - Malcolm Isaac Scholarship.. https://www.nuffieldscholar.org/sponsors/our-sponsors/malcolm-isaac-scholarship
- Hort News - “Watercress industry bids farewell to influential watercress pioneer, Malcolm Isaac”.. https://hortnews.com/watercress-industry-bids-farewell-to-influential-watercress-pioneer-malcolm-isaac/
- Exton Park Vineyard - “Remembering Malcolm J. Isaac - Founder of Exton Park Vineyard” (2024).. https://extonparkvineyard.com/blogs/news/in-memory-of-our-founder-malcolm-j-isaac
- Charity Commission Financial Returns for The Malcolm Isaac Charitable Trust - Financial Year Ending 05 April 2023..