Charity Of John Marshall

Charity Number: 206780

Annual Expenditure: £1.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,438,335 (total income)
  • Annual Expenditure: £1,509,983
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 8-12 weeks (meets 3-4 times per year)
  • Grant Range: £3,000 - £25,000 (church restoration)
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales (specific counties for church grants)

Contact Details

Address: 66 Newcomen Street, London SE1 1YT

Telephone: 020 7407 2979

Email: grantoffice@marshalls.org.uk

Website: www.marshalls.org.uk

Online Application Portal: https://marshalls.flexigrant.com/

Overview

The Charity of John Marshall was founded in 1631 at the bequest of John Marshall and has evolved over nearly four centuries to become a significant supporter of the Church of England and Church in Wales. With total income of £1.4 million and expenditure of £1.5 million annually, the charity is primarily investment-funded and maintains a focused mission: making grants for the support of parsonages to dioceses and providing restoration and repair grants to Anglican churches. The charity operates as patron of Christ Church, Southwark, and allocates 4% of its net income to Marshall's Educational Foundation. With 14 trustees and 3 employees, the charity maintains a rigorous grant-making approach with applications reviewed three to four times annually.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Church Restoration Grants (Five Dioceses Programme)

  • Amount: £3,000 - £25,000
  • Geographic Coverage: Anglican churches in Kent, Surrey, and Lincolnshire (as constituted in 1855), plus Greater London south of the Thames
  • Eligible Dioceses: Canterbury, Guildford, Lincoln, and Southwark (Rochester diocese churches must consult diocese directly)
  • Application Method: Online via FlexiGrant portal with rolling deadlines
  • Review Schedule: Three times per year

National Parsonages Grant Programme

  • Purpose: Support for parsonages across dioceses of the Church of England and Church in Wales
  • Application Method: Online via FlexiGrant portal

Security Grants

  • Application: Can be applied for at any time

Priority Areas

Eligible Church Restoration Projects:

  • Roof repairs
  • Tower repairs
  • Stonework restoration
  • Church floors
  • Heating and lighting upgrades
  • Installation of new toilets
  • Disabled access adaptations
  • Reordering (within church building footprint)
  • Sound systems
  • Rewiring
  • Mullion repairs

Key Funding Philosophy:

While grants are for building projects, trustees prioritize supporting projects where the building works will benefit the mission and ministry of the church.

What They Don't Fund

The charity has a specific geographic focus and does not fund churches outside the designated counties and dioceses. Information about other exclusions should be confirmed directly with the charity.

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Governance and Leadership

Structure:

  • 14 Trustees (no trustees receive remuneration or benefits)
  • 3 Employees (2 earning over £60,000 annually)

Specific trustee names and backgrounds were not publicly available in accessible sources. For current trustee information, applicants should consult the Charity Commission register or contact the charity directly.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Pre-Application Preparation

  • Parishes considering an application are encouraged to speak to their Archdeacon before applying
  • Confirm diocesan eligibility

Step 2: Online Application

Access the FlexiGrant portal at https://marshalls.flexigrant.com/ and register for the appropriate grant form:

  • Churches The 5 Dioceses Application Form (for church restoration)
  • National Parsonages Application Form (for parsonage support)
  • Security Grant Application Form

Step 3: Diocesan Statement

When an application is received, the relevant diocese will be invited by Marshall's to supply a statement supporting or providing context for the application.

Decision Timeline

Application Deadlines (2025):

  • 7 March 2025
  • 30 May 2025
  • 29 August 2025
  • 14 November 2025

Meeting Dates (2025):

  • 1 May 2025
  • 17 July 2025
  • 16 October 2025
  • 11 December 2025

Typical Timeline:

Applications shortlisted by the Grants Committee are considered at the next full meeting of trustees, resulting in an approximate 8-12 week decision timeline from submission to decision.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, with annual expenditure of approximately £1.5 million and church grants ranging from £3,000-£25,000, the charity likely makes 60-100+ church grants per year, in addition to parsonage support.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Applicants should contact the charity directly at grantoffice@marshalls.org.uk for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Mission and Ministry Alignment:

The trustees explicitly state they “want to support projects where the building works will benefit the mission and ministry of the church.” Applications should clearly articulate how physical improvements will enable or enhance the church's ministry, community engagement, and mission activities.

Diocesan Support:

Pre-application discussion with your Archdeacon is encouraged, and dioceses are asked to provide statements on applications. This suggests diocesan support and alignment with diocesan priorities strengthens applications.

Geographic Eligibility:

Ensure your church falls within the eligible geographic boundaries (Kent, Surrey, Lincolnshire as constituted in 1855, or Greater London south of the Thames) and is within one of the four named dioceses.

Project Scope:

With grants ranging from £3,000-£25,000, projects should be appropriately scaled. The charity supports both minor repairs and more substantial restoration work, provided it serves the church's mission.

Appropriate Timing:

Plan application submission to align with the charity's quarterly review cycle, allowing adequate time for diocesan consultation and statement preparation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Mission-driven projects win: Clearly demonstrate how building repairs or improvements will directly support and enhance the church's mission and ministry work, not just preserve the building.
  • Engage your diocese early: Speak with your Archdeacon before applying, as diocesan support appears to be a valued component of the decision-making process.
  • Geographic specificity matters: Verify your church's eligibility based on the historic county boundaries (as constituted in 1855), not modern administrative boundaries.
  • Plan for quarterly cycles: With only 3-4 decision points per year, time your application strategically to align with your project timeline and fundraising needs.
  • Use the online portal: Applications are managed through FlexiGrant, so ensure you register and familiarize yourself with the system early in your planning process.
  • Multiple funding streams available: If you're affiliated with a parsonage or need security-related support, explore the charity's other grant programmes beyond church restoration.
  • Long institutional history: The charity has been operating since 1631 and maintains traditional Anglican connections—frame your application in language that respects this heritage while demonstrating contemporary relevance.

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References