The Musk-Burton Family Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Address: Fourth Floor, Unit 5B, The Parklands, Lostock, Bolton BL6 4SD

Phone: 01204 414 243

Email: [email protected]

Charity Number: 1127725

Overview

The Musk-Burton Family Trust (formerly The Burton Family Charitable Trust) was registered as a charity on 27 January 2009. Based in Bolton, Lancashire, the trust operates as a private grant-making foundation making grants to charitable organisations and individuals across England and Wales, focusing on five broad charitable areas: relief of poverty and need, advancement of education, environmental conservation and protection, relief of sickness and health preservation, and advancement of religion. The trust is recognised as a major supporter of the NSPCC and has established itself as a significant private family foundation in the North West region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant-making programme without specific named streams. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organisations and individuals whose work falls within the trust's charitable objectives.

Application Method: Invitation only / trustee discretion

Priority Areas

The trust's charitable objectives cover five main areas:

1. Relief of poverty and need - Supporting individuals and families experiencing financial hardship
2. Advancement of education - Supporting educational initiatives and opportunities
3. Conservation and protection of the physical and natural environment - Environmental protection and sustainability projects
4. Relief of sickness and preservation of health - Healthcare and wellbeing initiatives, including child protection (evidenced by support to NSPCC)
5. Advancement of religion - Religious organisations and activities

Beneficiary Groups: Children and young people, other charities and voluntary bodies, and the general public.

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are publicly documented. However, as a private family trust, they appear to make grants based on trustee discretion rather than open calls for applications.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust operates under the governance of its trustees, with professional oversight provided through Cowgills LLP, an accounting firm in Bolton. Andy Ball, a Partner at Cowgills, is associated with the trust's administration. Ball has demonstrated commitment to charitable causes, having attended the Royal Garden Party in 2018 in honour of HRH Prince Charles' 70th birthday to celebrate the work of the Prince's charities.

The trust has established governance policies covering complaints, financial controls, risk management, safeguarding, and trustee conflicts of interest.

Trust Deed Amendments

The original trust deed dated 08 January 2009 has been amended twice (05 August 2013 and 19 August 2019), indicating the trust has evolved its structure and approach over time.

How to Apply to The Musk-burton Family Trust

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Musk-Burton Family Trust operates as a private family foundation where grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees. Grants appear to be made to organisations and causes known to the trustees or their professional networks rather than through an open application process.

The trust is listed as a major donor to organisations such as the NSPCC, suggesting that established relationships and strategic partnerships form the basis of their grant-making approach.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion rather than through a formal application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable for public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this trust does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors appear relevant to their grant-making approach:

Trustee Discretion: All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees, with professional accounting oversight through Cowgills LLP.

Established Organisations: The trust's recognition as a major donor to organisations like the NSPCC suggests a preference for supporting established, reputable charities with proven track records in their focus areas.

Alignment with Five Charitable Objectives: Organisations working in poverty relief, education, environmental protection, health, or religious advancement are within scope.

Children and Young People: The trust specifically identifies children and young people as beneficiary groups, as evidenced by support to NSPCC.

International Humanitarian Support: The trust has supported the PII Foundation's Ukrainian CrisisCare Telehealth Service, demonstrating willingness to fund international disaster relief and health equity programmes.

Geographic Connection: Based in Bolton, Lancashire, though operating across England and Wales, there may be preference for North West connections or organisations known to the trustees' professional network.

Professional Oversight: With professional administration through Cowgills (an accounting firm), financial transparency and good governance in potential grantees would likely be important factors.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - This trust makes grants by invitation or trustee initiative only
• Focus on building relationships - As a private family trust, grants flow from established connections rather than open calls
• Strong child protection focus - Recognition as NSPCC major donor indicates commitment to children's causes
• International reach demonstrated - Support for Ukrainian CrisisCare Telehealth Service shows willingness to fund global humanitarian programmes
• Professional governance - Administration through Cowgills accounting firm suggests value placed on financial integrity and transparency
• Five broad charitable areas - While scope is broad (poverty, education, environment, health, religion), actual grants appear selective
• Regional base in North West - Bolton headquarters may indicate preference for or awareness of North West organisations
• Private family philanthropy model - Decisions rest with trustees including family members and professional advisors

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Middle Way Trust
• Toby And Regina Wyles Charitable Trust
• The John Macleod Charitable Trust
• The J And H Orlander Trust
• The De Brye Charitable Trust
• The Dmf Ellis Charitable Trust
• The Northwick Trust
• Investream Charitable Trust
• Grace Charitable Trust
• The S And Y Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales, “The Musk-Burton Family Trust - Charity 1127725,” Register of Charities. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5001363/full-print
• Find that Charity, “GB-CHC-1127725 | The Musk-Burton Family Trust,”. https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1127725
• NSPCC, “Our donors and major supporters,”. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/ways-to-give/become-major-donor/our-major-donors/
• PII Foundation, “Our Partners,”. https://www.pii-foundation.org/our-partners
• LinkedIn, “Andy Ball - Partner - Cowgills,”. https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-ball-b1843712/
• Cowgills on Twitter, Royal Garden Party attendance, May 2018. https://twitter.com/cowgills/status/998950757817778178
• Cowgills, “Bolton office,”. https://www.cowgills.co.uk/contact-us/bolton-office/