The Mary Kinross Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £2,103,997 (charitable activities expenditure, 2025)
• Total Funds: £72,368,000
• Success Rate: Very low - only a few unsolicited applications successful annually
• Decision Time: Rolling programme with trustees meeting 3 times per year
• Grant Range: Small grants up to £25,000; larger grants for portfolio charities (specific amounts not disclosed)
• Geographic Focus: England, Scotland and Wales

Contact Details

Administrator: Mrs Fiona Adams

Address: 36 Grove Avenue, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 9RY

Email: marykinrossct@gmail.com

Phone: 0000 000 0000

Note: The Trust prefers written correspondence rather than telephone calls or emails from applicants seeking grant support.

Overview

Founded in 1957 by John and Mary Kinross, The Mary Kinross Charitable Trust was established in 1970 as a registered charity (212206). With total funds of over £72 million and annual charitable expenditure exceeding £2.1 million, the Trust is a significant grant-maker operating across England, Scotland and Wales. The Trust generates its income primarily from an endowment fund through investments. The founding philosophy was to support 'whole projects' rather than simply 'write cheques', demonstrating a commitment to meaningful, substantial support. The Trust maintains a focused approach, making fewer but larger grants to carefully researched recipients. Governance includes seven trustees with a gender-balanced board (43% male, 57% female), and notably, family involvement continues with the daughters and grandchildren of the founders playing active roles in grant recommendations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Core Grant Programme: No minimum or maximum amounts stipulated, but the Trust focuses on making substantial grants. The Trust operates a continuous rolling application programme with trustees meeting three times per year.

Small Grants Programme: Grants up to £25,000 per annum can be approved by the daughters and grandchildren of the founders with delegated authority.

Application Method: Rolling basis with written applications preferred.

Priority Areas

The Trust currently gives grants in the following fields:

• Medical research - investigating causes and cures of diseases
• Youth - projects supporting children and young people
• Penal affairs - work with offenders and criminal justice
• Health - general health initiatives
• Mental health - mental health support and research
• Community development - community benefit projects
• Education advancement - educational initiatives
• Poverty relief - work addressing poverty and disadvantage

The Trust also supports work with people with disabilities and other registered charities undertaking charitable purposes recognized by law.

What They Don't Fund

The Trust:

• Generally does not encourage unsolicited applications
• Maintains a portfolio of existing beneficiaries receiving regular support
• Focuses on organizations in England, Scotland and Wales only (not international)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: 7 trustees (57% female, 43% male) providing gender-balanced governance

Family Involvement: The daughters and grandchildren of founders John and Mary Kinross continue to play an active role, with delegated authority to recommend new grants and approve small grants up to £25,000 annually.

Recent Trustee Appointments (indicating active board renewal):

• Alexander Sheridan Grant Shields (2023)
• Edwina Mary Catherine Acheson (2024)
• Timothy Cunningham (2024)

Remuneration: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity, demonstrating commitment to maximizing funds for charitable purposes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Initial Enquiry: Charities that consider they represent a good fit with the Trust's objectives should enquire about the prospect of grant support by writing to the Administrator at the address provided above.

Important: The Trust prefers dealing with written correspondence rather than telephone calls or emails from applicants seeking grant support.

Application Format: Written letter of enquiry addressing:

• How your organization aligns with the Trust's funding priorities
• Details of the project or work requiring support
• Evidence of careful research and planning

Decision Timeline

Meeting Schedule: Trustees meet three times per year

Application Processing: Rolling programme - applications considered on an ongoing basis, with decisions made at trustee meetings

Timeframe: Likely 2-6 months depending on timing of application submission relative to trustee meeting schedule

Success Rates

Unsolicited Applications: Only a few unsolicited applications are successful each year. The Trust maintains a low success rate for new applicants as it “generally makes large grants to the same portfolio of charities each year.”

Grant Philosophy: The Trust prioritizes depth over breadth, stating: “The Trustees consider that, by their policy of using the income available to make fewer but more substantial grants to carefully researched recipients, they provide more benefit than they would by making many more but smaller grants to organisations that they did not research so fully.”

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated, but the Trust's approach of maintaining a portfolio of regular beneficiaries suggests that once accepted, organizations may receive ongoing support. For unsuccessful applicants, the policy on reapplication is not specified.

Application Success Factors

Key Considerations

1. Perfect Alignment: With very few new grants made annually, organizations must demonstrate exceptional alignment with the Trust's priority areas. Generic applications are unlikely to succeed.

1. Family Recommendations: The majority of new grants are recommended by the daughters and grandchildren of the founders. While not explicitly stated, having connections or recommendations from those familiar with the Trust's work may be advantageous.

1. Substantial Projects: The Trust seeks to fund “whole projects” and prefers making fewer, larger grants. Applications should present significant, well-researched initiatives rather than requesting small contributions.

1. Thorough Research: The Trust values “carefully researched recipients” - demonstrate that you understand the Trust's history, philosophy, and existing funding patterns.

1. Written Communication: Adhering to the Trust's preference for written correspondence demonstrates respect for their processes and attention to their guidance.

Example Beneficiaries

• Play for Progress - Listed as a beneficiary, supporting the Trust's focus on youth and community development
• Bendrigg Lodge - Historical major project: purchased in 1976 as an activity residential center for people with disabilities in rural Cumbria, exemplifying the Trust's commitment to funding “whole projects”

Language and Approach

The Trust values:

• Careful research and planning
• Substantial, meaningful impact
• Long-term sustainability
• Community benefit
• Evidence-based approaches

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Manage Expectations: This is an extremely competitive funder with very low success rates for unsolicited applications. Only apply if your organization demonstrates exceptional alignment.

• Substantial Grants Only: Don't approach this Trust for small contributions. They prefer making fewer, larger grants to carefully selected organizations.

• Written Application First: Follow their stated preference for written correspondence. Send a well-crafted letter of enquiry to Mrs Fiona Adams at the Birmingham address.

• Demonstrate Research: Show that you understand the Trust's history, philosophy, and approach. Reference their commitment to funding “whole projects” and substantial impact.

• Portfolio Approach: Understand that this Trust maintains ongoing relationships with existing beneficiaries. Breaking into their portfolio requires exceptional alignment and possibly personal recommendations.

• Patient Timeline: With trustees meeting only three times per year and a preference for existing beneficiaries, expect a lengthy decision process.

• Family Connections: Be aware that family members of the founders play significant roles in grant recommendations. Any legitimate connections to the Trust's network may be beneficial.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• The Henry Smith Foundation
• MOONDANCE FOUNDATION
• The John Armitage Charitable Trust
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• THE CALLEVA FOUNDATION
• THE EVESON TRUST
• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• The Charles Hayward Foundation
• Devon Community Foundation
• DRAPERS CHARITABLE FUND
• John Laing Charitable Trust
• THE ERNEST KLEINWORT CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE BASIL SAMUEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• Louis Nicholas Residuary Charitable Trust
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• National Lottery
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION
• THE BIG GIVE TRUST
• THE STONE FAMILY FOUNDATION

References

• Charity Commission Register: The Mary Kinross Charitable Trust (212206). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=212206&subId=0 (Accessed: October 2025)

• Giving is Great: Charity Factsheet - The Mary Kinross Charitable Trust. Available at: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=212206 (Accessed: October 2025)

• Bath and North East Somerset Council: The Mary Kinross Charitable Trust funding information. Available at: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/88329 (Accessed: October 2025)

• Play for Progress: Awards & Funders. Available at: https://www.playforprogress.org/our-funders (Accessed: October 2025)

• Charity Commission financial data showing annual expenditure of £2,469,136 for year ending 31 March 2025, with charitable activities spending of £2,103,997