Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust

The Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust, established in 2002 in Chester as a grant-making CIO, honors the legacy of local philanthropist Marjory Boddy by supporting grassroots charities that enhance life in Chester, Ellesmere Port, and surrounding West Cheshire areas. Governed by five unpaid trustees, its mission emphasizes responsive, practical grant making in health, education, welfare, and arts, with a strong focus on vulnerable groups like children, youth, elderly people, those with disabilities, and mental health challenges. Core values of localism, equity, generosity, and accessibility drive its straightforward approach, prioritizing community-led initiatives that deliver direct benefits, such as service delivery, core costs, capital projects, and volunteering programs.

It funds a broad spectrum of local causes, including cancer support, hospices, disability services, youth clubs, theatre groups, and mental health organizations—exemplified by grants to The Hospice of the Good Shepherd and OPAL Services—while remaining open to other charitable areas with clear local impact. UK-registered charities are eligible, with preference for small to medium grassroots groups; organizations outside the area can apply if beneficiaries are local residents. No strict income limits apply, though it favors community-focused entities.

Grants typically range from £50 to £10,000, occasionally up to £40,000 for exceptional projects. Unsolicited applications are welcomed via a simple online form, post, or email (including charity number, history, and project details; larger grants need accounts and policies), with informal pre-application discussions encouraged. Rolling submissions are considered at three annual trustee meetings (spring, summer, winter), with the next deadline 31/12/2025; decisions follow within months. It avoids repeat funding for the same project within two years. Distinctive for its hyper-local focus, endowment-backed sustainability, and warm, dialogue-driven process, it stands out from broader funders by amplifying direct community wellbeing.