John Coates Charitable Trust

The John Coates Charitable Trust, established in 1969 by John Bernard Maurice Coates, is a family-led grant-making trust inspired by the founder's experiences with disability and passions for education, science, history, heritage, and the outdoors. Its mission is to enrich lives through strategic support for UK-registered charities delivering healthcare, research, education, social care, conservation, arts, culture, heritage, and outdoor access, guided by values of compassion, inclusivity, holistic wellbeing, and lasting societal impact. Trustees—family descendants—prioritize initiatives aiding children, young people, the elderly, disabled individuals, and communities, fostering deeper relationships via site visits and ongoing engagement.

Funding aligns with biennially selected themes—currently Literacy and Young People’s Mental Health—encompassing project and core costs for medicine (e.g., cancer support like Maggie’s Centres, chronic illness care), innovative education, environmental conservation (e.g., Future Trees Trust), arts, and disadvantage mitigation. Beneficiaries span national charities and local organizations tied to trustee connections, with a focus on effective, measurable outcomes in healthcare, learning, and cultural enrichment.

Eligible applicants must be UK-registered charities based in the UK, typically with incomes above £150,000, proven sustainability, and impact records; very small or new groups are excluded. Work must target London (especially North Kensington, Lambeth, Merton, Wandsworth), Cambridge environs, Hampshire, North West Norfolk, North Devon, Surrey, West Sussex, or have national reach. Grants average £5,400 (typically £5,000–£10,000), with ~£400,000 distributed annually. Applications are invite-only via online form after trustee shortlisting; no unsolicited submissions, with biannual board reviews and no public deadlines. Distinctively discreet and flexible, the trust avoids statutory bodies, political/religious activities, and unrelated causes, emphasizing personal legacy and high-impact curation.