The Marchus Trust

Charity Number: 1137768

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £539,907 (charitable activities, year ending March 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales
  • Total Income: £1,075,350
  • Total Assets: Over £13 million

Contact Details

Phone: 020 8988 6100

Address:

Barnes Roffe LLP

Leytonstone House

3 Hanbury Drive

Leytonstone

London

Website: www.marchustrust.net

Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Marchus Trust (charity number 1137768) is a well-resourced UK charity with substantial assets exceeding £13 million. Registered in England and Wales, the Trust focuses on advancing culture and the arts through two distinct streams: music and architecture. The charity's mission encompasses sponsoring musical works, performances, music education, and art commissions, as well as advancing architectural education through lecture series, awards, exhibitions, and travel opportunities. With charitable expenditure of £539,907 in the year ending March 2024, the Trust maintains a strategic approach to funding cultural and educational initiatives. The charity is led by Spencer de Grey CBE RA, Senior Executive Partner at Foster + Partners and a prominent figure in British architecture, alongside trustees Lucy de Grey and Caroline Reekie.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Music:

  • Commissioning new musical compositions
  • Supporting music performances and concerts
  • Music education initiatives
  • Supporting contemporary music ensembles and orchestras
  • Youth music projects

Architecture:

  • Architectural education programs
  • Lecture series on architecture
  • Architectural awards and prizes
  • Exhibitions showcasing architectural work
  • Travel grants for architectural study
  • Engagement initiatives connecting architecture with young people
  • Architectural writing and publications

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but based on their charitable objectives, the Trust appears focused exclusively on music and architecture projects. Projects outside these two domains are unlikely to be considered.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Spencer de Grey CBE RA (Chair)

Senior Executive Partner and Head of Design at Foster + Partners, Spencer de Grey is one of Britain's most distinguished architects. His notable projects include Stansted Airport, the Great Court at the British Museum, and the Sackler Galleries at the Royal Academy. He is also Chairman of the Building Centre Trust and serves on the Cambridge University School of Architecture Advisory Board. His leadership brings significant expertise in both architecture and arts philanthropy to the Trust.

Lucy de Grey (Trustee)

Caroline Reekie (Trustee)

No trustees receive remuneration from the charity, demonstrating commitment to maximizing charitable impact.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Marchus Trust does not publish detailed application guidelines or processes on publicly available platforms. The Trust appears to operate through direct engagement with potential grantees rather than open application cycles.

Organizations interested in applying should contact the Trust directly via:

  • Phone: 020 8988 6100
  • Website: www.marchustrust.net

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Funded Projects Examples

Music:

  • Hampshire County Youth Orchestra: Grant to commission “Winchester Tales,” a string composition by Jeff Moore designed with inclusive parts from novice to advanced players, performed at Winchester Cathedral in February 2020
  • The Hermes Experiment: Multi-year support (2023-26) for this contemporary music quartet
  • Spitalfields Music: Support for concert programming
  • Benjamin Tassie: Support for “A Ladder is Not the Only Kind of Time,” an album and film featuring new music for water-powered historical instruments

Architecture:

  • Architecture Foundation Writing Prize 2022: Sponsorship of Category 3: “Design and the Climate and Biodiversity Emergencies”
  • Thornton Education Trust: Grant for ENGAGE Toolkit, a resource helping architecture practices engage with children and young people through workshops and educational programs

Key Success Factors

Based on funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

  1. Educational Impact: Projects with strong educational components, particularly those engaging young people or emerging professionals
  2. Innovation and Quality: High-quality artistic or architectural merit with innovative approaches
  3. Accessibility: Music projects designed to be inclusive across skill levels
  4. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with established cultural organizations
  5. Tangible Outputs: Commissioning new works, publications, or resources with lasting impact
  6. Contemporary Relevance: Projects addressing current issues (e.g., climate and biodiversity in architecture)

Project Characteristics

The Trust appears to favor:

  • Commissioning new works rather than general operational support
  • Projects that advance their fields through writing, research, or innovation
  • Multi-year partnerships with organizations demonstrating sustained impact
  • Educational initiatives connecting professionals with young people
  • Projects celebrating both emerging and established talent

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Dual Focus: Ensure your project clearly aligns with either music or architecture—these are the Trust's exclusive funding areas
  • Educational Value: Emphasize educational components, particularly initiatives that engage young people or advance professional development
  • Quality Over Quantity: With substantial assets but selective grantmaking, the Trust appears to fund fewer, higher-impact projects rather than numerous small grants
  • Direct Engagement: Without published guidelines, building a relationship with trustees or making direct contact may be important for funding consideration
  • Leadership Connection: Given Chair Spencer de Grey's prominence in architecture, architectural projects may benefit from demonstrating alignment with contemporary architectural thinking and professional development
  • Multi-Year Potential: The Trust demonstrates willingness to provide sustained support (e.g., The Hermes Experiment 2023-26), suggesting strong performers may receive ongoing funding
  • Commission Focus: Projects involving commissioning new musical works, architectural writing, or creating educational resources appear particularly attractive to the Trust

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References