Marcela Trust
Could Marcela Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- £50,000 – £500,000
- Applications
- Not accepted
- Decisions
- Quarterly
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Marcela Trust
The Marcela Trust is a grant-making charity established in honour of Marcela Botnar by her late husband, Octav Botnar, founder of Datsun UK. Operating across England and Wales, the Trust delivers public benefit through selective philanthropy, guided by a conservative ethos of prudent investment and long-term sustainability. With a small, stable board of trustees, it emphasises discretion, autonomy, and alignment with core charitable objects, focusing on high-impact support for areas dependent on not-for-profit funding. The Trust is a low-profile, highly selective generalist funder that avoids open rounds, emergency relief, or capacity-building streams, instead leveraging financial resilience for enduring, trustee-driven impact on national-scale needs.
What Marcela Trust funds
The Marcela Trust prioritises medical research, the arts, education, and poverty relief, particularly for disadvantaged children and young people. Grants support UK charities and voluntary bodies delivering health initiatives, youth welfare, educational programmes, and cultural projects. The Trust funds both restricted (donor-aligned) and discretionary awards, which can cover projects, research, core costs, capital, or revenue needs. Its geographic focus is England and Wales.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are exclusively UK-registered charities based in England and Wales. The Trust shows a preference for established medium-to-large organisations demonstrating proven impact. There are no income thresholds or religious restrictions. Beneficiary groups include disadvantaged children and young people, as well as those benefiting from health initiatives, the arts, education, and poverty relief. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications; only trustee-identified entities qualify.
What Marcela Trust doesn't fund
The Marcela Trust avoids funding for open rounds, emergency relief, or capacity-building streams. It does not support organisations that are not UK-registered charities or those based outside England and Wales. Unsolicited applications are not considered, and the Trust does not fund through public grant programmes.
How they like to fund
The Marcela Trust operates as a highly selective, trustee-driven funder. It does not accept unsolicited applications; instead, only organisations identified by the trustees are considered. The Trust supports both restricted (donor-aligned) and discretionary awards, and can fund a range of needs including projects, research, core costs, capital, or revenue. It emphasises prudent investment and long-term sustainability.
How much does Marcela Trust give?
Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Marcela Trust
Marcela Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.
- A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
- If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
- Decisions are typically quarterly.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Marcela Trust.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Marcela Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Marcela Trust provide?
Marcela Trust typically provides grants of £50,000 - £500,000.
Where does Marcela Trust fund charities?
Marcela Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Marcela Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Marcela Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Marcela Trust?
Marcela Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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Could Marcela Trust be a fit?
Check free — then find open funders like them.