Sir John Middlemore Charitable Trust

The Sir John Middlemore Charitable Trust, rooted in the late 19th-century philanthropy of Sir John Middlemore—who founded Middlemore Homes and child emigration schemes—now focuses on grantmaking to improve the welfare and life chances of disadvantaged children under 18 and young people with disabilities up to 25 in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Its mission emphasizes direct, practical benefits for vulnerable groups facing disadvantage, disability, care experience, deprivation, or challenging circumstances, prioritizing small-scale, community-oriented organizations overlooked by larger funders. Core values include local responsiveness, tangible impact, and accountability through post-grant evaluations, with a theory of change linking modest grants to measurable wellbeing improvements.

The Trust funds projects enhancing inclusion, wellbeing, and opportunities, such as leisure activities, education, personal development, and bespoke support for disabled children, looked-after children, care leavers, young carers, and those in poverty. Examples include Sensory People’s Dudley Early Years Cool Kids Scheme, targeting social, economic, or physical barriers via grassroots initiatives.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities with annual incomes below £250,000 and unrestricted reserves under six months' operating costs, operating exclusively in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Herefordshire, Sandwell, Shropshire, Solihull, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, or Worcestershire. Applications, accepted unsolicited via email (download form from website), must arrive 21 days before quarterly trustee meetings in January, April, July, and October; decisions take 3-8 weeks. Typical grants range £1,000-£2,000 for specific projects only—no core costs, capital, or unrestricted funding.

Distinctively, it avoids medical research, political bodies, or large organizations, standing out for its unwavering regional focus, historical child welfare legacy, and commitment to empowering local nonprofits delivering immediate, outcomes-driven change for at-risk youth.