The Marsh Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 284470

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £478,962 (year ending April 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 8 weeks typically
  • Grant Range: £300 - £2,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)

Contact Details

Address: 4 Matthew Parker Street, London, SW1H 9NP

Website: www.marshcharitabletrust.org

Email: mccarthy@bpmarsh.co.uk

Phone: 7766391674

Trust Manager: Annie McCarthy

Trust Administrator: Heather Crombie

Overview

The Marsh Charitable Trust was founded in 1981 by Brian Marsh OBE with £75,000, establishing a sustainable way to give back to society. Operating for over 40 years, the Trust is funded entirely through investment portfolio income rather than public donations. In the year ending April 2024, the Trust awarded £478,962 in grants and awards (up from £440,839 in 2023), supporting approximately 400 charities annually through its Grants Programme and awarding around 100 Awards to individuals and groups across the charity sector. Originally named Marsh Christian Trust, it was renamed in 2021 to reflect the inclusive policies it has always followed, supporting organizations “of all faiths or none” while remaining rooted in Christian principles of reaching out, caring for the natural world, and helping those in need.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Core Grants Programme: £300 - £2,000 (unrestricted funding, rolling basis)

  • New applicants typically receive grants at the lower end of the scale
  • Long-term core funding approach with annual review for renewal
  • Applications processed on ongoing basis with no fixed deadlines
  • Monthly grants committee reviews applications

Priority Areas

The Trust provides long-term core funding for registered charities across:

  • Social & Welfare: £299,998 (2024) - largest funding category, supporting organizations addressing homelessness, youth services, and community support
  • Arts and Heritage: £76,035 (2024) - supporting cultural preservation and artistic endeavors
  • Environmental Causes and Animal Welfare: £68,391 (2024) - conservation and animal protection work
  • Healthcare and Medical Research: £19,947 (2024) - health-related charitable activities
  • Education and Training: £14,591 (2024) - skills development and learning initiatives

The Trust focuses on funding operational running costs such as volunteer expenses, training days, equipment maintenance, and other core organizational expenses.

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Individual Churches
  • Hospices/Hospitals
  • Start-up costs
  • Project-specific costs
  • Schools and Universities
  • Community Interest Companies (CICs)
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Brian Marsh OBE (Chairman and Founder) - Awarded OBE in 2005 for services to business and charity
  • Nick Carter
  • Charles Micklewright
  • Natalie Collings
  • Alice Foulk
  • Oliver Bogue

Staff:

  • Annie McCarthy (Trust Manager)
  • Heather Crombie (Trust Administrator)

Brian Marsh has been actively involved as both Founder and Chairman, dedicating significant time and effort to growing the Trust's resources and activities over more than four decades.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust has no standard application form. Applications require:

  • A cover letter (1-2 pages) including organization information and contact details
  • Copy of most recent Annual Report and Accounts (or equivalent financial information if annual income is under £25,000)

Submit by postal mail to: 4 Matthew Parker Street, London, SW1H 9NP

Decision Timeline

  • No application deadline - rolling basis
  • Applications processed continuously
  • Monthly grants committee reviews
  • Typical response within 2 months of receipt
  • Occasionally longer due to high volume of applications
  • Upon receipt, applications are divided into new appeals and renewals for evaluation

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed. The Trust indicates it receives a high volume of applications and supports around 400 charities annually through the Grants Programme.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust aims to build long-standing relationships with successful applicants. Subject to annual review, continued support is provided over time. Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly stated.

Application Success Factors

Evaluation Criteria:

Each application is considered based on:

  • Organization's financial position
  • Performance against charitable aims and objectives
  • Ratio of voluntary income against fundraising expenses
  • Suitability of the application to the type of funding provided

Key Requirements:

  • Must be a registered charity with Charity Commission for England and Wales, Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, or Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
  • Must have been established for more than one financial year
  • Must be experienced in chosen field of work

What Works:

  • Demonstrate understanding that the Trust provides core operational funding, not project funding
  • Illustrate how long-term organizational benefit will result from funding
  • Show strong financial management and efficient fundraising ratios
  • Emphasize alignment with social welfare, arts/heritage, environmental, healthcare, or education priorities
  • Keep cover letter concise (1-2 pages) while providing clear context

Examples of Long-term Funded Organizations:

  • Teen Action - received 10 years of funding, supporting skills development, arts engagement, vocational training, mentoring, and career support
  • Acet UK - supported since 2013 for youth emotional and physical well-being
  • Oasis Community Housing - supported for 25 years beginning in 1999 for homelessness services

Process Tips:

  • Expect lower initial grant amount for new applicants
  • Focus on core running costs rather than specific projects
  • Build toward long-term relationship with annual renewals
  • Ensure Annual Report and Accounts clearly demonstrate strong performance against charitable objectives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Core funding focus: This Trust specifically funds running costs (volunteer expenses, training, equipment maintenance), not projects - tailor applications accordingly
  • Small but sustainable: Grants are modest (£300-£2,000) but offer potential for long-term annual renewal, providing reliable core income
  • Simple application: No complex form required - just a 1-2 page cover letter and recent accounts, making it relatively easy to apply
  • Long-term relationships: The Trust values building ongoing partnerships, so initial lower grants can grow into multi-year support
  • Financial health matters: Strong performance against charitable objectives and efficient fundraising ratios are key evaluation criteria
  • Rolling deadlines: No fixed deadline pressure - applications reviewed monthly on ongoing basis with 2-month typical response time
  • Established charities only: Must have at least one full year of operation and full Annual Report and Accounts available

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