Mason Bibby 1981 Trust

The Mason Bibby 1981 Trust, established by trust deed in July 1981 and registered as a grant-making charity in 1982, exists to relieve financial hardship among current and former UK employees of J Bibby & Sons plc (now part of Barloworld plc) and its subsidiaries, including their dependants and relatives facing needs like ill health, disability, bereavement, or acute distress. Rooted in the founder's commitment to workforce welfare amid industrial change, the trust embodies values of resilience, dignity, and practical stewardship, prioritizing necessity-based support for this defined legacy community over broad or innovative initiatives. It also extends grants to aligned UK charities, particularly hospices and welfare organizations such as Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Sue Ryder, and Queenscourt Hospice, that deliver relevant relief, especially in the North West of England where the company's historic footprint lies.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities operating UK-wide (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) with mission alignment to workforce hardship relief; individuals must demonstrate direct employment or familial ties to J Bibby & Sons. The trust shows no preference for specific income levels but favors small to medium-sized entities providing direct welfare or end-of-life care. It does not accept unsolicited applications—grants are awarded at trustees' discretion based on internal priorities.

Typical grants range from £1,000 to £10,000 (often £2,000–£5,000), funding hardship relief, core costs, or operational support rather than projects, capital, or general causes. Decisions occur biannually via trustee meetings with no public deadlines. Distinctive for its narrow industrial legacy focus, transparent governance, and quiet, needs-driven ethos, the trust avoids open calls, innovation funding, or unrelated themes, setting it apart from generalist funders.