The Michael Marks Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £140,000 - £260,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (applications by 31 May, decisions June-July)
• Grant Range: Up to £10,000 (typically)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
• Total Giving Since 1966: Over £20 million

Contact Details

Website: www.michaelmarkscharitabletrust.org

Email: michaelmarkscharitabletrust@hotmail.co.uk

Phone: 020 7286 4633

Registered Charity Number: 248136

Overview

The Michael Marks Charitable Trust was founded in 1966 by the late Lord Marks, 2nd Baron of Broughton (grandson of Michael Marks, co-founder of Marks & Spencer) to support the preservation and promotion of culture and the environment. Since its foundation, the Trust has committed over £20 million to assist non-profit organisations and charities. The Trust operates with minimal administrative costs, with no trustees receiving remuneration and no paid employees. Annual expenditure ranges from £140,000 to £260,000. The vast majority of grants made by the Trust support arts charities, though it also funds environmental and educational projects. The Trust is perhaps best known for establishing the Michael Marks Awards for Poetry Pamphlets in 2009, an annual celebration of poetry pamphlets in English and Celtic languages.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust makes a limited number of grants annually to registered charities through an annual application cycle:

• General Grant Programme: Typically under £10,000
• Application Deadline: 31 May annually
• Decision Timeline: June-July AGM review
• Funding Notification: Before end of July

Priority Areas

The Trust's objects are to apply capital and income in favour of charitable projects concerned with the environment and the arts. Specific areas of support include:

Arts & Culture (majority of grants)

• Museums and art galleries
• Exhibitions and exhibition catalogues
• Orchestras performing classical music
• Commissioning new compositions of classical music
• Old churches of the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon periods
• Restoration of historical artefacts
• Poetry pamphlets and literary projects

Education

• Research projects in universities and libraries
• Conservation projects in academic institutions

Environment

• Conservation projects
• Environmental preservation initiatives
• Recent example: £5,000 to Farm Resilience Programme (2022)

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but the Trust:

• Only funds registered charities
• Focuses exclusively on culture and environment
• Does not respond to unsuccessful applications

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a small board of expert trustees, all serving without remuneration:

Marina Marks (Chairman, since 1997)

• PhD in History from SOAS University of London
• Vice-Chairman of The Hellenic Centre in London
• Widow of Michael Marks, 2nd Baron of Broughton
• Awarded Order of Merit of the Knights of Malta (1996)
• Author of “The Uses of Oppression – the Ottoman Empire through its Greek Newspapers 1830-1862”

Professor Sir Christopher White (Trustee, retiring July 2025)

• British art historian and curator
• Former Director of Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art
• Former Director of Ashmolean Museum
• Knighted in 2001 for services to art history

Noël Annesley (Trustee)

• Honorary Chairman of Christie's Fine Art Auctioneers
• Specialist in Old Master and British drawings
• MA in Classics from Worcester College, Oxford
• Career at Christie's since 1964

Alex Sakalis (Trustee)

The expertise of the trustees in art history, museums, and classical arts reflects the Trust's strong emphasis on cultural preservation.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust accepts applications via email only to: michaelmarkscharitabletrust@hotmail.co.uk

Application Requirements:

1. A page about your charity
2. Information about the project for which you are requesting help
3. A breakdown of the costs involved
4. A copy of your latest annual accounts (not required for charities registered in England and Wales)
5. Your banking details

Key Process Notes:

• The trustees meet once a year, in June or July
• Review all applications that arrive before the end of May
• Successful applications receive a donation before the end of July
• “The trustees do not reply to unsuccessful applications, in order to keep costs down”

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: 31 May annually
• Trustee Meeting: June or July (AGM on 4 July 2025)
• Decision Notification: Before end of July (successful applicants only)
• Total Timeline: Approximately 6-8 weeks from deadline to notification

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust describes making “a limited number of small and larger grants,” suggesting a selective process. The fact that unsuccessful applicants do not receive notifications indicates a competitive process where the majority of applications may be declined.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. As the Trust operates on an annual cycle with a single deadline, unsuccessful applicants could apply in subsequent years.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Trustee Expertise:

The composition of the trustee board suggests strong preference for projects involving:

• Art history and fine art
• Museums and galleries
• Classical music
• Historical preservation
• Old Master drawings and British art
• Cultural institutions with academic rigor

What the Trust Values:

Based on their stated mission and funded projects, the Trust prioritizes:

• Cultural preservation over contemporary projects: Focus on “old churches of the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon periods,” historical artefacts, classical music
• Quality and scholarly merit: The trustees are all distinguished experts in their fields
• Efficiency: The Trust operates with minimal costs and expects clear, concise applications
• Registered charity status: Must be formally registered
• Specific project focus: Applications should detail a particular project, not general operating costs

Application Tips:

• Be concise and efficient in your application - the Trust values low administrative costs
• Provide a clear, detailed cost breakdown
• Include banking details from the start
• Focus on cultural preservation or environmental conservation aspects
• If your project involves art, music, or heritage, emphasize scholarly or historical significance
• Remember that the vast majority of grants go to arts charities
• Do not expect a response if unsuccessful

Recent Example:

The Trust contributed £5,000 to the 2022 Farm Resilience Programme, demonstrating they will fund environmental projects, though these appear to be less common than arts grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Single annual deadline: Applications must arrive by 31 May for consideration at the June/July trustee meeting
• Arts-focused: The vast majority of grants support arts charities - align your application with cultural preservation
• Small grants: Typical grants are under £10,000 - appropriate for specific projects rather than major capital campaigns
• Expert trustees: The board includes distinguished art historians and auctioneers who will recognize quality and significance
• No feedback for rejections: Unsuccessful applicants receive no response, so ensure your first application is strong
• Efficiency valued: Minimal bureaucracy, email-only applications, concise requirements - mirror this efficiency in your submission
• Absolute trustee discretion: Applications are reviewed subjectively by expert trustees, not against a scoring rubric

References

1. The Michael Marks Charitable Trust official website - www.michaelmarkscharitabletrust.org
2. The Michael Marks Charitable Trust - How to Apply page - https://michaelmarkscharitabletrust.org/howtoapply/
3. The Michael Marks Charitable Trust - Who We Are page - https://michaelmarkscharitabletrust.org/whoweare/
4. Charity Commission Register of Charities - Charity Number 248136 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=248136&subid=0
5. Funding for All - Michael Marks Charitable Trust profile - https://fundingforall.org.uk/funds/michael-marks-charitable-trust/
6. Royal Countryside Fund - “Michael Marks Charitable Trust supports Farm Resilience Programme” - https://www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/news/michael-marks-charitable-trust-supports-farm-resilience-programme/