The Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £287,131 (2024)
• Grant Range: £50 - £40,000
• Typical Grant: £3,300
• Decision Time: Within 28 days of trustee meetings
• Meeting Schedule: Three times per year (February, June, October)
• Geographic Focus: Chester, Ellesmere Port, and West Cheshire
• Total Given Since 2010: Over £1.5 million across 450+ grants

Contact Details

Address: c/o Morris & Co Chartered Accountants, Chester House, Lloyd Drive, Ellesmere Port CH65 9HQ

Email: Marjoryboddytrust@moco.co.uk

Phone: 0151 348 8400

Website: https://marjoryboddy.co.uk

Pre-Application Support: The trust welcomes informal discussions before applying - contact them to discuss project feasibility

Overview

Established in 2002, The Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust manages the legacy of the late Marjory Boddy, a Chester resident who was a dedicated supporter of local causes. Since 2010, the trust has distributed over £1.5 million through more than 450 grants, demonstrating sustained commitment to west Cheshire communities. With recent annual expenditure of £287,131 and total income of £148,685 (2024), the trust actively supports registered charities across health, education, welfare, and the arts sectors. The trust prioritises organisations serving vulnerable, disadvantaged, or overlooked community groups and particularly values projects that “enable others to help themselves and create sustainable outcomes.” Chair Bill Benoy emphasises the trust's mission: "It's a privilege to offer financial support to local organisations that make a difference."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £50 - £40,000 (typically under £10,000)

• Simple online application form via Plinth system
• Rolling applications reviewed at three annual meetings (February, June, October)
• Funds capital costs preferred, but running costs and salaries considered

Volunteering Fund: Up to £5,000

• For organisations with income under £300,000
• Separate application form required
• Supports volunteer recruitment, retention, and programme development
• Covers specialist equipment, staff time, training, DBS checks, insurance, travel expenses, and refreshments

Priority Areas

• Health: Including facilities for people with neurological conditions, hospital improvements for vulnerable elderly patients
• Education: Programmes supporting local educational needs
• Welfare: Services for vulnerable, disadvantaged, or overlooked community members
• Arts: Cultural activities benefiting local communities
• Sustainable Outcomes: Projects that enable self-help and long-term impact
• Community Services: Organisations facing increased demand, volunteer shortages, or budget challenges

Geographic Focus

Primary focus on Chester, Ellesmere Port, and immediate surrounding areas in West Cheshire. Occasionally supports organisations based outside these areas if beneficiaries are clearly from the local community.

What They Don't Fund

• Retrospective costs (already incurred expenditures)
• Organisations without appropriate safeguarding and equality policies (for grants over £20,000)
• Organisations not serving the Chester, Ellesmere Port, or West Cheshire areas

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (as of 2024)

• William Benoy - Chair
• Elizabeth Roberts - Trustee
• Clare Harrison - Trustee
• Michael Rodney Mills - Trustee
• Peter John Catherall - Trustee

The trust operates with five trustees who serve without remuneration. Chair Bill Benoy has been quoted emphasising the trust's commitment to local impact and supporting organisations making a tangible difference in the community.

How to Apply to The Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted via:

• Online e-form via Plinth system (https://app.plinth.org.uk/application/t5RG8l3LPyMxlJWFLrVF)
• Post to Morris & Co Chartered Accountants, Chester House, Lloyd Drive, Ellesmere Port CH65 9HQ
• Email to Marjoryboddytrust@moco.co.uk

Pre-Application Contact: The trust recommends having an informal discussion before applying to discuss project feasibility and suitability.

Required Information:

• Charity registration number and brief history
• Details of any previous applications to the trust
• Grant amount requested
• Purpose of funds and specific spending plan
• Beneficiary details (age groups, numbers, needs, location)
• Applicant contact information

Additional Requirements for Grants Over £20,000:

• Current accounts
• Safeguarding policy
• Equality policy

Separate Process: The Volunteering Fund requires a different application form, available on the trust's website.

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Three times per year in February, June, and October
• Notification: Successful applicants are notified within 28 days of trustee meetings
• Total Timeline: Approximately 1-4 months depending on when application is submitted relative to next meeting date

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not published, the trust's track record of awarding 450+ grants since 2010 (averaging 30-45 grants annually) indicates an active and accessible grant-making programme. Recent rounds have supported between 13 projects (March 2022 round distributing nearly £100,000) to potentially many more smaller grants.

Reapplication Policy

The application form asks about previous applications to the trust, indicating they accept repeat applications. No specific waiting period or restrictions on reapplication are publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's documented priorities and funded projects, successful applications typically demonstrate:

Clear Local Benefit: The trust emphasises organisations must “demonstrate that their activities deliver a direct benefit or meet the specific needs of groups or individuals within those local communities, particularly those who are vulnerable, disadvantaged or overlooked.” Successful applicants clearly articulate who benefits and how.

Sustainable Outcomes: The trust “particularly welcomes applications from charities for projects and other initiatives that enable others to help themselves and create sustainable outcomes.” Projects showing long-term impact beyond immediate funding are favoured.

Capital Investment Preferred: While running costs and salaries are considered, the trust states it “prefers applications that fund capital costs.” Recent examples include £50,000 for a gym facility and £18,000 for a Memory Lane lounge and garden.

Significant Recent Grants:

• Neuro Therapy Centre: £50,000 for accessible gym for people with neurological conditions
• Countess of Chester Hospital Charity: £18,000 for Memory Lane project (lounge and garden for vulnerable elderly patients)
• RASASC: £5,000 for counselling support

Strategic Advice: Chair Bill Benoy and trustees meet three times yearly to review applications personally. Taking advantage of the pre-application informal discussion opportunity can help align your proposal with current priorities and ensure your application is competitive.

Policy Requirements: For larger grants (over £20,000), having robust safeguarding and equality policies is mandatory. Organisations should ensure these are current and comprehensive.

Volunteering Focus: The introduction of the Volunteering Fund indicates the trust recognises challenges facing local charities including “increased demand for services, loss of volunteers and reduced budgets.” Applications addressing volunteer sustainability may be particularly timely.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Local is crucial: Geographic limitation to Chester, Ellesmere Port, and West Cheshire is strictly applied - clearly demonstrate local beneficiaries
• Start with conversation: Use the pre-application discussion opportunity to test fit and refine your proposal
• Capital projects favoured: While not exclusive, capital costs are preferred over running expenses - structure applications accordingly
• Think sustainability: Emphasise how your project enables self-help and creates lasting outcomes beyond the grant period
• Typical grants are modest: With an average of £3,300, most grants are in the low thousands - tailor request size appropriately (though grants up to £40,000 are possible)
• Volunteer support available: If your organisation has income under £300,000, consider the Volunteering Fund for volunteer-related expenses up to £5,000
• Application timing matters: With three annual meetings, plan submissions to align with February, June, or October review cycles for faster decisions
• Multiple applications welcomed: The form asks about previous applications, suggesting reapplication is accepted - unsuccessful applicants should refine and resubmit

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Steve Morgan Foundation
• P H Holt Foundation
• Sir Donald And Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust
• Pilkington Charities Fund
• Lord Leverhulme's Charitable Trust
• Crh Charitable Trust
• The Ursula Keyes Trust
• The Zochonis Charitable Trust
• The Equilibrium Foundation
• Community Foundations For Lancashire And Merseyside

References

• The Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust official website: https://marjoryboddy.co.uk
• Trust application guidance: https://marjoryboddy.co.uk/apply/
• About the Trust: https://marjoryboddy.co.uk/about/
• Trust news and grant awards: https://marjoryboddy.co.uk/news/
• Volunteering Fund details: https://marjoryboddy.co.uk/application-form-volunteering-fund/
• Charity Commission Register - charity number 1091356: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1091356&subid=0
• Chester Standard - Memory Lane project article (2018): https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/16197323.18k-donation-will-allow-work-start-countess-chester-hospitals-memory-lane-project/
• Charity Choice directory listing: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-marjory-boddy-charitable-trust-67198