McCorquodale Charitable Trust

The McCorquodale Charitable Trust, established in 1987 (charity number 297697), is a flexible, generalist UK funder dedicated to advancing a broad spectrum of charitable purposes through grants to registered charities and voluntary bodies. Rooted in family philanthropic traditions, it operates with trustee-led discretion, emphasizing good governance, ethical investing, risk management, and long-term stewardship of capital to maximize public benefit across the UK, with a slight emphasis on Scotland and England. Its core values—flexibility, responsiveness, and support for diverse, impactful causes—enable it to back well-governed organizations delivering measurable outcomes without rigid thematic boundaries.

The Trust funds an expansive array of activities, including animal welfare, arts and culture, healthcare and wellbeing (e.g., hospices), heritage preservation, mental health, poverty relief, children and young people, older people, and religious groups. Grants support both capital projects (e.g., building infrastructure) and revenue needs (core costs, project delivery), aiding organizations from small regional charities like Highland Hospice or Abbotsford Trust to national bodies such as the National Trust for Scotland or St Mungo’s.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities operating anywhere in the UK, with no income thresholds, religious restrictions, or size limits—open to grassroots and established entities alike. Typical grants range from £1,000 to £15,000, awarded on a rolling basis via the online Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway (https://funding.ludlowtrust.com), requiring registration and details on activities, governance, finances, and needs. Trustees review applications at their discretion, with no fixed deadlines or meeting schedules.

Distinctively generalist with no sector exclusions beyond UK charity law compliance, the Trust avoids direct project delivery or public fundraising, prioritizing proven track records and public benefit over narrow priorities, making it ideal for diverse, governance-strong applicants seeking flexible support.