The Northwood Charitable Trust

Charity Number: CUSTOM_9428ED1C

Annual Expenditure: £5.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £5.4 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified (rolling/invitation basis)
  • Grant Range: £500 - £500,000+ (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Dundee; also Angus, Perth & Kinross, Fife, Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire, Inverness-shire

Contact Details

Address: 22 Meadowside, Dundee DD1 1LN

Website: Information available via Funding Scotland and OSCR

Charity Number: SC014487

Note: Applications are by invitation only. Prospective applicants should submit an expression of interest via email.

Overview

The Northwood Charitable Trust was established in 1972 by a member of the Thomson family (DC Thomson) with the purpose of making communities in Dundee and surrounding areas better and more supportive places for people to live, work and prosper. With annual expenditure of £5.4 million (2024), the Trust is one of the most significant funders in the region. Subsequent members of the Thomson family have provided continuity and leadership, with current trustees remaining committed to upholding the founder's values. The Trust operates as the Thomson family's private charitable organization and has been a key supporter of major projects including the £500,000 donation to the Dundee Cultural Recovery Fund (2021) and ongoing support for Eden Project Dundee.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grants: £500 - £6,000

  • Rolling basis, application by invitation only
  • First send expression of interest; if successful, invited to submit full application

Major Strategic Partnerships: £75,000 - £500,000+

  • Long-term partnerships with institutions
  • Example: £150,000 per year to Abertay University (three-year partnership)
  • Example: £75,000 over three years to The McManus Museum
  • Example: £500,000 to Dundee Cultural Recovery Fund

Youth Philanthropy Initiative: £3,000 grants

  • Funding partner for YPI across Dundee and Angus secondary schools
  • Over £20,000 distributed annually through youth-led decision-making

Priority Areas

The Trust's main funding themes are:

  • Addressing deprivation, poverty and inequality: Including cost of living support, housing support, and community services for vulnerable populations
  • Advancing educational attainment: Supporting universities, literacy programs, and youth development initiatives
  • Progressing physical and mental health and wellbeing: Including palliative care, mental health services, and healthcare facilities
  • Supporting community, heritage and cultural enrichment: Museums, arts venues, cultural recovery, and community facilities

What They Don't Fund

Information not publicly available, but the Trust focuses exclusively on the Dundee/Tayside region and occasionally considers applications from Angus, Perth & Kinross, Fife, Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire, and Inverness-shire.

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Governance and Leadership

Blair Thomson - Director of The Northwood Charitable Trust

Blair Thomson has stated the Trust values “the vital role that [organizations] play in challenging social and educational disadvantage” and that they are “pleased to be supporting work that will directly benefit the local community.” On Eden Project Dundee, he noted it is “a project that will be transformative for Dundee.”

Morag Neville - Head of Charitable Giving

Morag Neville regularly represents the Trust at community events and serves as a judge for YPI showcases. She has stated: "We are proud to partner with YPI. We get the chance to hear what's important to young people and fund incredible local charities working at the heart of our communities to improve lives."

Other Trustees: Christopher Thomson and Murray Thomson are also trustees (family members maintaining continuity with founder's vision).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Invitation-Only Process:

  1. Send an expression of interest via email at any time
  2. If the Trust is interested in your project, they will invite you to submit a full application
  3. No online portal; applications handled on a case-by-case basis

Eligibility: Registered charitable organisations or groups

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. The Trust appears to operate on a rolling basis with decisions made as expressions of interest are reviewed.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified, though the Trust maintains multi-year partnerships with some organizations, suggesting they support sustained impact over time.

Application Success Factors

Direct Community Impact: The Trust prioritizes projects that “directly benefit the local community” with measurable outcomes for people in need.

Alignment with Core Themes: Successful applications clearly address one or more of the four main funding themes: deprivation/poverty/inequality, education, health/wellbeing, or heritage/culture.

Geographic Focus: Strong preference for Dundee-based organizations, though they do consider applications from surrounding areas. Demonstrating local roots and community connections is important.

Strategic Partnerships: The Trust values long-term relationships with organizations that share their goals. Examples include multi-year partnerships with Abertay University (£150,000/year) and The McManus Museum (£75,000 over three years).

Youth Empowerment: The Trust's support for YPI demonstrates their interest in giving young people a voice in philanthropic decision-making and supporting youth-identified community needs.

Recent Funded Projects:

  • The McManus Museum: £75,000 over three years for “McManus Connections” learning and engagement project supporting children and families in need
  • Abertay University: £150,000 per year for teaching, research and enterprise projects
  • Dundee Cultural Recovery Fund: £500,000 challenge fund
  • Flexible Childcare Services Scotland: £45,000 for sustainability and service delivery
  • Youth Philanthropy Initiative: Ongoing funding partner across Dundee and Angus
  • Dundee Women's Aid: £5,000 for warm clothes and blankets
  • Eden Project Dundee: Key supporter of development phase

Language and Values: The Trust uses language emphasizing “transformative” change, “challenging social and educational disadvantage,” and supporting organizations “working at the heart of our communities to improve lives.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only process requires strong expression of interest: Your initial approach needs to clearly demonstrate alignment with Trust priorities and potential for community impact
  • Local focus is critical: Dundee-based organizations have strongest chance; others must demonstrate clear benefit to the region
  • Think multi-year impact: The Trust favors sustained partnerships over one-off grants, particularly for larger amounts
  • Demonstrate direct community benefit: Be specific about who will benefit and how, particularly regarding disadvantaged populations
  • Consider strategic timing: The Trust has shown particular interest in crisis response (Cultural Recovery Fund) and transformative projects (Eden Project)
  • Family foundation values matter: As a Thomson family trust with 50+ years of history, demonstrating understanding of their long-term commitment to Dundee is valuable
  • Youth engagement is valued: Projects involving young people or youth-led decision-making align well with Trust interests

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