Martin Charitable Trust

The Martin Charitable Trust (charity number 298197) is a grant-making trust established in 1987 from the estate of Mrs Kathleen Martin, governed by trustees with full discretion over distributions. Its core mission encompasses the relief of poverty, advancement of education, advancement of religion, and other community-benefiting charitable purposes, maintaining a deliberately broad, generalist remit unchanged since inception. Rooted in pragmatic responsiveness, the Trust's values emphasize flexibility, immediate needs assessment, and enduring public benefit through trustee-led decisions, eschewing thematic programmes or strategic models for adaptive, impact-focused philanthropy.

It funds a diverse array of UK charitable activities without restrictions on causes, beneficiaries, or interventions, supporting project costs, core costs, capital, or revenue needs across sectors like poverty relief, education, religion, and community welfare. Grants go to registered charities of varying sizes, from small regional groups to national bodies, with a practical emphasis on England-based initiatives that align with classic charitable objects.

Eligible applicants must be UK-registered charities, with no formal income thresholds or geographic limits beyond UK operations, though giving concentrates in England. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; trustees select recipients at their discretion without public processes, forms, or contact details.

Typical grants range from £1,000 to £5,000, with occasional larger awards based on assessed need; meetings occur ad hoc without deadlines or rounds. Distinctively generalist amid specialized funders, it avoids partisan, non-charitable, or overseas activities, prioritizing transparent governance, reserve stewardship, and trustee independence for balanced, opportunistic support.