Mackie Foundation

The Mackie Foundation, established in 1990 as a registered grant-making charity in the UK, advances general charitable objectives with a strong emphasis on health improvement and saving lives across England and Wales. Directed by a small, unpaid board of three trustees—Nicholas Robert Lindsay Barton, James Cooper Mackie Riggs, and Fiona Ann Smith—it operates as a pure intermediary philanthropist, distributing funds exclusively through strategic grants to other charities and voluntary bodies. Its pragmatic, outcomes-focused approach prioritizes sustainable impact, evidenced by consistent support for evidence-based initiatives in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, medical research, and facility enhancements, without a publicly stated founding vision but guided by trustee discretion.

The Foundation funds capital projects that transform beneficiary organizations, particularly refurbishments of supported housing and accommodation for addiction recovery, as seen in grants to groups like The Nehemiah Project. It targets charities delivering measurable wellbeing improvements in health and rehabilitation, favoring those advancing medical research or capacity-building in recovery services, rather than revenue support, unrestricted funding, or direct operations.

Eligible applicants must be UK-registered charities operating throughout England and Wales, with a preference for medium-to-large, established entities demonstrating strong track records—no strict income thresholds apply, but smaller or unproven groups are unlikely. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; funding is invite-only, selected proactively by trustees at annual meetings with no published deadlines or processes.

Grants typically range from £10,000 to £100,000, often £20,000–£75,000 for major capital works, excluding individuals, businesses, or non-health initiatives. Distinctive for its 30+ years of targeted, high-impact grant-making solely to health-focused orgs, it stands out as a discreet, trustee-driven funder ideal for transformative rehab and research projects.