Transforming Lives

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £100,676 (expenditure 2024)
• Success Rate: N/A - trustee discretion
• Decision Time: Not applicable - trustee discretion
• Grant Range: Individual grants up to £100,000 documented
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom

Contact Details

• Phone: 07836 203651
• Email: transforminglives6745@gmail.com
• Website: www.transforminglives.me
• Registered Address: Brick Bank, Brick Bank Lane, Allostock, Cheshire, WA16 9LY

Overview

Transforming Lives is a charitable foundation established in 2014 by Mike and Catriona Marshall with the mission to “help transform the lives of people who most need it.” Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1158447), the foundation has total income of £133,211 and expenditure of £100,676 as of May 2024. The charity operates primarily through organizing the annual Cheshire Dash cycling event and making strategic grants to carefully selected charities. Notable achievements include raising over £112,000 for Duchenne UK and making a transformative £100,000 donation to HideOut Youth Zone in East Manchester.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity has established its grant making policy to benefit charitable objects and individuals in the United Kingdom as the trustees see fit. While specific grant streams are not publicly advertised, documented giving includes:

• Major capital grants: Up to £100,000 (HideOut Youth Zone example)
• Support through fundraising events: Variable amounts raised through Cheshire Dash

Priority Areas

• Youth development and youth zones
• Children's health conditions (cancer, Duchenne muscular dystrophy)
• Hospice care
• Disability support
• Brain injury and neurological conditions
• General charitable purposes
• Education/Training
• Poverty prevention
• Accommodation/Housing
• Economic/Community Development

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions documented, though giving patterns suggest focus on UK-based charities with clear social impact.

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 4 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments or benefits. Founded by Mike and Catriona Marshall, who remain actively involved in the charity's direction. The Marshalls stated they were “delighted to offer our support” to youth development after “discovering the difference OnSide Youth Zones were making in their local communities.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at trustee discretion to organizations identified and selected by the trustees.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on their giving patterns, organizations may come to their attention through:

• Participation in or connection to the Cheshire Dash cycling event
• Being nominated as a beneficiary charity for annual fundraising events
• Having strong connections to the Cheshire area where the founders are based
• Working in partnership with organizations they already support

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions made at trustee discretion without formal application timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

As grants are made at trustee discretion, organizations that align with the following characteristics appear more likely to receive support:

• Strong connection to Cheshire or Manchester regions
• Focus on transformative impact for beneficiaries
• Work with children and young people, particularly those facing health challenges
• Established track record and clear evidence of impact
• Potential for partnership through the Cheshire Dash cycling event
• Organizations recommended by existing beneficiaries or trusted partners

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a trustee-discretion funder with no public application process
• Focus on building relationships and visibility in the Cheshire area
• Consider participation in or support for the Cheshire Dash cycling event as a connection point
• The charity particularly values organizations making transformative differences in young people's lives
• Major grants (£100,000) are possible for the right strategic fit
• Annual selection of beneficiary charities for cycling event fundraising provides regular opportunity for support
• Personal connection and trustee awareness appear to be critical factors in receiving support

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• Welsh Government
• The Arts Council of England
• BENEFACT TRUST LIMITED
• Trust for London
• THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL
• The Grace Trust
• The Wolfson Foundation
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• The Adint Charitable Trust
• The Medlock Charitable Trust
• PROJECT GIVING BACK
• The Jerusalem Trust
• The Frances and Augustus Newman Foundation
• National Lottery
• HELP FUND
• THE LIGHTHOUSE
• Bloomberg
• FRONTIERS

References

• Charity Commission Register: TRANSFORMING LIVES (1158447) -
• Transforming Lives official website (www.transforminglives.me) -
• HideOut Youth Zone: “Transforming Lives in East Manchester” article documenting £100,000 donation -
• Various news articles about Cheshire Dash fundraising events (Dee Radio, Duchenne UK, Brainwave, The Joshua Tree) -
• UK Charity Commission Annual Report and Financial Statements for year ending 30 May 2024 -