The Marks Family Charitable Trust
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £259,826 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: Bi-annual trustee meetings (applications reviewed twice yearly)
- Grant Range: £5,000 - £60,000
- Geographic Focus: Primarily UK, with some international work
Contact Details
Website: marksfamilycharitabletrust.com
Phone: 020 7388 7000
Email: office@marksfamilycharitabletrust.com
Registered Charity Number: 263776
Overview
The Marks Family Charitable Trust was established in 1971 by Simon Marks (3rd Baron Marks of Broughton) as the Simon Richard Marks Trust, and was renamed in 2019 when younger family members joined as trustees. The trust continues a multi-generational philanthropic tradition rooted in the Marks & Spencer founding family. With an annual expenditure of approximately £260,000, the family-run trust supports 10-20 charitable organizations each year. The trust's current focus areas reflect both family history and contemporary social issues, with particular emphasis on young people, refugee support, the arts, and education. Managed from the UK with bi-annual meetings in London, the trust provides grants ranging from £5,000 to £60,000, typically awarded for up to three years.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- Small Grants: £5,000 - £20,000 per year, for up to three years
- Larger Grants: Up to £60,000 available for substantial projects
- Multi-Year Funding: The trust offers repeat donations and supports projects over multiple years
Applications are reviewed at bi-annual trustee meetings held in London.
Priority Areas
Primary Focus:
- Young people in the UK: Particular emphasis on education and health
- Refugees: Supporting refugees arriving and living in the UK
- Promotion of the arts: Arts, culture, and heritage initiatives
Secondary Areas (hands-on, new, and innovative projects):
- Accommodation and housing
- Community facilities and activities
- Health and disability
- Justice and human rights
- Older people
- Protection of the environment and wildlife
- Service and ex-service personnel
- Social welfare
- Special schools, special needs education, and literacy
- Vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals
The trust shows particular favor towards charities working in education, the environment, the arts, health, and support for the Jewish faith. They prefer to support small UK registered charities, especially those that find it difficult to attract funding by the nature of their work.
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals: The trust does not provide grants directly to individuals, only to registered charities
- Non-charitable organizations: Must be a UK registered charity
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Governance and Leadership
Current Trustees:
- Lord Marks of Broughton (Simon Marks, 3rd Baron)
- Hon Mrs Miriam Cooper (née Marks)
- Dr Rebecca Marks
The trust operates with three trustees who receive no remuneration from the charity. The trust deed was originally dated 29 April 1971 and was amended on 8 March 2018. The family lineage includes Michael Marks (great-grandfather, co-founder of Marks & Spencer), Simon Marks, 1st Baron Marks of Broughton (1888-1964, grandfather), and Michael Marks, 2nd Baron Marks of Broughton (1920-1998, father).
The trust describes itself as providing “governance, input and time, as needed” to supported organizations, indicating a hands-on approach beyond just financial support.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Note: At the time of research, the trust's website indicated that grant applications were closed. The trust does not specify when applications will reopen. Interested organizations should monitor the trust's website or contact them directly for updates.
When applications are open, the process typically involves:
- Application Method: Short online form via the trust's website
- Eligibility: UK registered charities only
- Application Type: Rolling basis with bi-annual review cycles
Decision Timeline
Applications are reviewed at bi-annual trustee meetings held in London. This means the trust makes funding decisions twice per year, though specific meeting dates are not publicly disclosed. Typical decision timeframes are not specified, but organizations should expect decisions to align with these bi-annual review cycles.
Success Rates
The trust supports 10-20 charitable organizations each year out of an unknown number of applications. Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. With annual giving of approximately £260,000 and average grants of £5,000-£20,000, this suggests a selective process.
Reapplication Policy
No specific reapplication policy is documented. The trust does provide “one-off or repeat donations,” suggesting that both unsuccessful applicants and previously funded organizations may be eligible to apply.
Application Success Factors
Based on the trust's documented preferences and recent grant awards, successful applications should demonstrate:
- Clear Project Objectives: The trust explicitly states they “endeavour to support projects with a clearly outlined objective or end goal.” Be specific about what you will achieve and by when.
- Innovative and Hands-On Approach: The trust “likes to fund projects that are hands-on, new and innovative.” Emphasize what makes your project different from existing services.
- Small Charity Appeal: The trust is “keen to support small UK registered charities, particularly those that, by the nature of their work, find it difficult to attract funding.” If this describes your organization, make this clear in your application.
- Alignment with Family Legacy: Recent projects show connections to education (Exeter College Library, Oxford scholarships), refugee support (Refugee Academic Futures Programme, Refugees at Home), environment (BirdLife International database, Berkeley Reafforestation Trust), health (NHS Healing Garden), and the arts (Royal Academy Schools). Projects that align with the founding family's legacy in retail, education, and social welfare may have particular resonance.
- Partnership Potential: Several funded projects involve partnerships with established institutions (Royal Horticultural Society & NHS, universities, national organizations). The trust offers “governance, input and time, as needed,” suggesting they value ongoing relationships.
- Evidence of Impact on Priority Groups: Recent grants show strong support for projects serving young people (school literacy programs), refugees (academic scholarships, host coordinator funding), and vulnerable communities. Demonstrate clear outcomes for these beneficiary groups.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- The trust supports 10-20 organizations annually with grants of £5,000-£60,000, typically for up to three years
- Strong preference for small charities tackling issues that make fundraising difficult
- “Hands-on, new and innovative” projects are explicitly favored over traditional service delivery
- Projects must have “clearly outlined objective or end goal” – be specific about deliverables and timelines
- Priority beneficiaries are young people (education/health), refugees, and arts organizations
- The trust offers more than funding: “governance, input and time, as needed” suggests relationship-based philanthropy
- Multi-year funding is available, indicating the trust values sustained impact over one-off projects
- Applications reviewed bi-annually – plan submission timing accordingly when applications reopen
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- George Elias Charitable Trust
- The Geoffrey Watling Charity
- The Nani Huyu Charitable Trust
- Sir John and Lady Heathcoat Amory's Charitable Trust
- D L M Charitable Trust
- The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust
- The Elaine and Angus Lloyd Charitable Trust
- The Nisbet Trust
- The Consuelo and Anthony Brooke Charitable Trust
- THE ALA GREEN CHARITABLE TRUST
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References
- Marks Family Charitable Trust official website - Homepage and About section
https://www.marksfamilycharitabletrust.com/ and https://www.marksfamilycharitabletrust.com/about
Accessed: December 2025
- Marks Family Charitable Trust - Projects page
https://www.marksfamilycharitabletrust.com/projects
Accessed: December 2025
- Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Marks Family Charitable Trust (263776)
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=263776
Accessed: December 2025
- Bath and North East Somerset Council - The Marks Family Charitable Trust funding page
https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/87636
Accessed: December 2025
- Richmond CVS - Funding: Marks Family Charitable Trust
https://richmondcvs.org.uk/funding-marks-family-charitable-trust-apply-any-time/
Accessed: December 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Marks Family Charitable Trust fund?
Grant Programs Small Grants: £5,000 - £20,000 per year, for up to three years Larger Grants: Up to £60,000 available for substantial projects Multi-Year Funding: The trust offers repeat donations and supports projects over multiple years Applications are reviewed at bi-annual trustee meetings held in London. Priority Areas Primary Focus: Young people in the UK: Particular emphasis on education and health Refugees: Supporting refugees arriving and living in the UK Promotion of the arts: Arts, culture, and heritage initiatives Secondary Areas (hands-on, new, and innovative projects): Accommodation and housing Community facilities and activities Health and disability Justice and human rights Older people Protection of the environment and wildlife Service and ex-service personnel Social welfare Special schools, special needs education, and literacy Vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals The trust shows particular favor towards charities working in education, the environment, the arts, health, and support for the Jewish faith.
How much funding does The Marks Family Charitable Trust provide?
The Marks Family Charitable Trust provides grants ranging from £5,000 - £60,000, with total annual giving of approximately £259,826 (2024).
How do I contact The Marks Family Charitable Trust?
Website: marksfamilycharitabletrust. com Phone: 020 7388 7000 Email: office@marksfamilycharitabletrust.
Is The Marks Family Charitable Trust a registered charity?
Yes, The Marks Family Charitable Trust is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 263776). They primarily serve organisations in Throughout England.
How do I apply to The Marks Family Charitable Trust?
How to Apply Note: At the time of research, the trust's website indicated that grant applications were closed. The trust does not specify when applications will reopen. Interested organizations should monitor the trust's website or contact them directly for updates.
Where is The Marks Family Charitable Trust based?
They fund organisations in Throughout England.