Robert B Massey Memorial Trust

The Robert B Massey Memorial Trust, established by trust deed on 1 August 1990, is a place-based philanthropy dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and social welfare of residents in Market Weighton and its surrounding areas within the East Riding of Yorkshire. Its core mission focuses on providing and maintaining public recreational spaces—particularly a recreation ground and bowling green—while supporting other charitable purposes that address unmet local needs beyond public funding. Rooted in local stewardship, the Trust's values emphasize tangible community impact, grassroots wellbeing, and filling gaps in statutory provision through trustee-led discretion, with unpaid local trustees ensuring decisions align closely with area-specific priorities.

It funds recreation and amenity improvements, such as upgrades to community facilities, bowling greens, and recreation grounds; broader charitable initiatives benefiting residents, including capital and revenue costs for local projects, individual hardship relief, and sporting or recreational activities lacking public support. Beneficiaries include small charities, voluntary groups, clubs, and community initiatives demonstrating direct, enduring benefits to Market Weighton inhabitants.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups based strictly in Market Weighton and immediate surroundings; small, grassroots entities are preferred, with no formal income thresholds or religious restrictions. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications proactively but advises writing to trustees for guidance. Grants are modest—typically £hundreds to a few thousand pounds, with annual totals around £20,000–£40,000—awarded adhoc at unscheduled trustee meetings, without deadlines, open rounds, or online forms.

Distinctively, it avoids national or wider causes, unrestricted/multi-year funding, or rigid programmes, prioritizing proactive, locally attuned investments in recreation and unmet needs that differentiate it as a hyper-local steward rather than a generalist funder.