The Meikle Foundation

Charity Number: CUSTOM_B1CEC8B6

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £450,000 - £500,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 8-12 weeks from deadline
  • Grant Range: Typically around £2,000
  • Geographic Focus: Scotland (particular emphasis on Fife and Aberdeen)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.themeiklefoundation.com/

Administrator: Sandra Graham

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0141 566 7268

Address: The Meikle Foundation, Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP, 1 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 1RW

Overview

The Meikle Foundation was established in 1973 by four sisters (Janet Martin Meikle, Agnes Connell Meikle, Isobel Saunders Meikle, and Margaret Ewen) as the Martin Connell Charitable Trust. Following the death of the last surviving sister, the charity was renamed The Meikle Foundation in 2020 to reflect the family name. The foundation has grown through estate gifts from the founding sisters and now distributes approximately £450,000-£500,000 annually in grants. With broad charitable objectives, the foundation has supported diverse causes including medical, youth, aged, and cultural initiatives across Scotland. The trustees meet biannually to consider applications, focusing their grant-making on Scottish-based charities with particular interest in the Fife and Aberdeen areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with no specific streams:

  • Small Impact Grants: Typically around £2,000 per award
  • Application method: Rolling basis with two annual deadlines (end of July and end of December)
  • Trustees meet biannually in September and February to consider applications

Priority Areas

The foundation supports a wide range of charitable activities including:

  • Medical and health: Health care and wellbeing, mental health care, research
  • Youth services: Programs supporting children and young people
  • Services for older people: Projects benefiting the aged
  • Arts and culture: Cultural initiatives and organizations
  • Disability support: Services for people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and sensory impairments
  • General charitable activities: Broad charitable purposes at trustees' discretion

The foundation has a clear preference for Scottish-based charities or those with a strong Scottish connection, with particular interest in initiatives in Aberdeen and Fife.

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals: The trustees do not make grants to individuals
  • Unregistered organizations: Only appeals from registered charities will be considered
  • Recent grant recipients: Charities supported within the last three years cannot reapply until two years have elapsed from the date of prior support
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Governance and Leadership

The Meikle Foundation is managed by an independent Board of Trustees. Day-to-day administration is handled by Sandra Graham through the Glasgow office of Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP. The trustees have broadly drawn objectives that allow payments to charitable institutions, societies, or organizations as they select in their absolute discretion.

The trustees' strategy, both short and long term, is to continue their grant-making activities to the extent achievable from available income. Individual trustee names are not currently publicly disclosed on the Scottish Charity Register or the foundation's website.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Format: No fixed format or application form required
  • Method: Trustees prefer electronic submissions where possible
  • Deadlines: Submit by end of July or end of December
  • Address: Applications should be sent to Sandra Graham at [email protected]
  • Acknowledgment: Applications will not be formally acknowledged

Decision Timeline

  • Trustee meetings: Biannually in September and February
  • Notification timing:
  • July deadline: Notification by end of November
  • December deadline: Notification by end of March
  • Timeframe: Approximately 8-12 weeks from deadline to notification
  • Feedback: No feedback is provided on applications

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed by the foundation. Given that the foundation distributes approximately £450,000-£500,000 annually in grants of typically around £2,000, this suggests approximately 225-250 grants may be awarded each year, though actual numbers may vary based on grant sizes.

Reapplication Policy

If your charity has been supported in the last three years, any new application will only be considered after a period of two years has elapsed from the date of any prior support. This effectively creates a three-year gap between successful grants for returning applicants.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Approach

The foundation seeks to support organizations “where they perceive that a small donation, typically around £2,000, will make a significant impact.” This is the key criterion - applications should clearly demonstrate how a relatively small grant will create meaningful change.

Examples of Funded Organizations

Known recipients include:

  • Royal Scottish National Orchestra (arts and culture)
  • Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (health and wellbeing)

These examples suggest the foundation supports both nationally recognized charities and smaller organizations across their priority areas.

Geographic Advantage

Organizations based in Scotland, particularly those operating in Fife or Aberdeen, are more likely to receive funding given the trustees' stated emphasis on these areas.

Application Tips

  • Keep applications concise and focused on impact
  • Clearly articulate the specific difference £2,000 will make
  • Highlight Scottish connections or operations in Fife/Aberdeen
  • Ensure your organization is a registered charity
  • Submit well before the deadline to allow proper consideration
  • Do not expect acknowledgment or feedback - patience is required

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Small grants, big impact: Frame your application around how £2,000 specifically will make a meaningful difference rather than requesting larger amounts
  • Scottish focus is essential: Emphasize your Scottish base or connections, particularly to Fife or Aberdeen
  • Biannual planning: Plan applications around the two annual deadlines and expect 8-12 weeks for decisions
  • Simple application process: No complex forms or requirements, but also no opportunity for feedback or dialogue
  • Broad eligibility: The foundation's wide charitable objectives mean many causes qualify, but competition is likely significant
  • Previous success doesn't guarantee return funding: The two-year waiting period after support means you need alternative funding sources
  • Registered charity status is mandatory: Ensure your charity registration is current before applying

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