The Michael Marsh Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £340,475 (2024-25)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Local focus on Worcestershire and West Midlands region (Birmingham City, Coventry City, Dudley, Solihull, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Wolverhampton, Worcestershire)

Contact Details

Email: info@michaelmarsh.org.uk or louise.ruane@michaelmarsh.org.uk

Phone: 07812743485

Website: https://michaelmarsh.org.uk/

Address: c/o Pear Tree Cottage, Yarrington Road, Alfrick, Worcester, WR6 5EX

Overview

The Michael Marsh Charitable Trust (registered charity number 220473) was established on 29 May 1964 and is based in Worcestershire. The trust operates with 3 trustees who receive no remuneration, demonstrating a commitment to maximizing charitable impact. With annual expenditure of £340,475 (financial year ending April 2025) and income of £125,515, the trust distributes grants to charities supporting vulnerable populations across the West Midlands region. The trust takes a project-focused approach to grant-making, with trustees favoring specific project funding for locally based smaller charities, though they remain open to considering larger projects. The trust is willing to pledge grants subject to recipients securing remaining project funding, demonstrating flexibility in their funding approach.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a project-based grant program supporting charitable activities across five key beneficiary groups. While specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, the trust's annual expenditure of £340,475 suggests capacity for meaningful grant support. Applications are considered on a rolling basis.

Application Method: Contact via email for application guidelines. No online portal is advertised.

Priority Areas

Grants are broadly divided between charities helping:

• Older people - Projects supporting elderly individuals
• Children - Initiatives benefiting young people
• Disabled individuals - Programs supporting people with disabilities
• The poor - Projects addressing poverty and deprivation
• Educationally needy - Initiatives supporting those with educational disadvantages

The trust shows a clear preference for:

• Specific, defined projects rather than general activities
• Locally based smaller charities in the West Midlands region
• Projects where the trust's grant will help secure additional funding from other sources

What They Don't Fund

• Running costs - Generally not considered
• Operating expenses - Core organizational costs typically excluded
• Organizations outside their geographic focus area (though larger projects may be considered on merit)

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by 3 trustees who serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits. The trust has no employees with benefits exceeding £60,000. This lean governance structure ensures funds are maximized for charitable distribution. Louise Ruane serves as a key contact for the trust.

The trustees demonstrate commitment to transparency by maintaining up-to-date reporting with the Charity Commission and operate with a hands-on approach to grant-making decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Contact the trust directly via email at info@michaelmarsh.org.uk or louise.ruane@michaelmarsh.org.uk to request application guidelines. The trust does not advertise a formal online application portal or downloadable application forms on their website.

Pre-Application: It is advisable to contact the trust before submitting a full application to discuss project suitability.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact the trust directly for information about current processing times.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The trust's financial information shows annual expenditure of £340,475, suggesting they support multiple projects each year, though the exact number of grants awarded is not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Applicants should inquire directly with the trust.

Application Success Factors

While the trust does not publish extensive application guidance, the following factors emerge from their stated priorities:

Key Success Factors:

• Project-specific focus - Clearly defined projects with specific outcomes are favored over general support requests
• Local connection - Being a locally based smaller charity in the West Midlands region appears advantageous
• Leveraging funding - The trust is willing to pledge grants subject to remaining project funding being secured, suggesting they value projects that demonstrate broader funding support
• Beneficiary alignment - Clear demonstration of impact on one or more of their five priority beneficiary groups (elderly, children, disabled, poor, educationally needy)
• Cost-effectiveness - With a stated preference for avoiding running costs, projects should demonstrate value and specific deliverables

What to Avoid:

• Applications focused primarily on core running costs or operational expenses
• Vague or general requests without specific project outcomes
• Projects without clear alignment to their priority beneficiary groups

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Local smaller charities are prioritized - If you're a small, locally based charity in the West Midlands, emphasize your local roots and community connections
• Project specificity is essential - Frame your request around a specific project with clear outcomes, not general organizational support
• Running costs are generally excluded - Structure your request around project delivery costs, not operational overheads
• Matching funding can be an advantage - The trust is willing to pledge grants subject to other funding being secured, so demonstrate your fundraising strategy
• Make direct contact - With limited online guidance, building a relationship through direct email contact may be valuable
• Align with beneficiary groups - Clearly articulate which of the five priority beneficiary groups your project serves
• Be patient with limited transparency - The trust does not publish extensive guidance, so be prepared to ask questions and seek clarification

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - THE MICHAEL MARSH CHARITABLE TRUST (Charity Number 220473). Register of Charities. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=220473&subid=0

1. The Michael Marsh Charitable Trust Official Website. https://michaelmarsh.org.uk/

1. Find that Charity - GB-CHC-220473 - The Michael Marsh Charitable Trust. https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-220473

1. Giving is Great - THE MICHAEL MARSH CHARITABLE TRUST Charity Factsheet. https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=220473

Financial information based on Charity Commission records for financial year ending 05 April 2025 (most recent available data).