Charity Of Walter Stanley

Charity Number: 216308

Annual Expenditure: £0.8M

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £786,844 (2024 expenditure)
Annual Income: £8,773
Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
Geographic Focus: West Bromwich Deanery only
Type: Ecclesiastical endowment trust

Contact Details

Charity Registration Number: 216308

Note: Contact details for trustees are available through the Charity Commission register. This charity operates through the Church of England's Lichfield Diocese structure.

Overview

The Charity of Walter Stanley was established in 1613 by Walter Stanley to provide endowment income for ecclesiastical purposes in West Bromwich. With current annual expenditure of approximately £787,000 against income of £8,773, the charity operates primarily from its historic endowment, making significant grants for church-related purposes. The charity's objects specifically focus on “provision of grants for ecclesiastical purposes in the deanery of West Bromwich, including church buildings.” Governed by 14 trustees, the charity has evolved from serving a single parish in 1613 to supporting 11 Church of England parishes across the West Bromwich Deanery following Acts of Parliament in 1819 and 1949. The trust continues to play a vital role in supporting Anglican ministry and church infrastructure in the West Bromwich area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity provides grants exclusively for ecclesiastical purposes within the West Bromwich Deanery, including:

Church Buildings and Repairs: Funding for church building maintenance, repairs, and improvements
Church Furnishings: Support for furniture, flooring, and other church fittings (evidenced by donations to The Good Shepherd with St John Church)
Ministry Support: Endowment income to support Church of England clergy and ministry in West Bromwich parishes
Church Development Projects: Partnership funding for new church initiatives (evidenced by support for West Bromwich Network Church in 2007)

Priority Areas

Church of England parishes within the West Bromwich Deanery
Church building preservation and enhancement
Support for Anglican ministry and lectureships
Ecclesiastical infrastructure development

What They Don't Fund

Non-Church of England denominations
Churches or projects outside the West Bromwich Deanery
Secular projects
Individual applications from the general public
Non-ecclesiastical purposes

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by a board of 14 trustees who oversee the distribution of the endowment income according to schemes established by Acts of Parliament (1819 and 1949).

Historical Context: According to the 1949 Parliamentary debate, the original scheme distributed income to two parishes, but population growth necessitated expansion. The modified scheme provided:

£600 annually to a repair fund (until reaching £20,000)
£1,000 to the two original parishes
£1,870 distributed among nine additional parishes

The trust operates within the framework of the Church of England's Lichfield Diocese, which encompasses the Black Country including West Bromwich.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Charity of Walter Stanley operates as an ecclesiastical endowment trust where grants are distributed to Church of England parishes in the West Bromwich Deanery by trustee discretion. The charity does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations or individuals outside of this specific ecclesiastical framework.

Grants are awarded according to schemes established by Acts of Parliament and are typically directed to:

Incumbent clergy in designated parishes
Church building projects within beneficiary parishes
Ministry and lectureship support in the deanery

Getting on Their Radar

Church of England parishes in West Bromwich Deanery: If your parish is within the West Bromwich Deanery of the Lichfield Diocese, funding may be available through established ecclesiastical channels. Contact:

Your parish's incumbent or churchwardens who may have direct relationships with the trustees
The Lichfield Diocese offices for guidance on accessing Walter Stanley Trust support
Deanery leadership who may facilitate connections with the trust

Known Partnership Approach: The trust has demonstrated willingness to partner with the Lichfield Diocese and other organizations on specific projects, as evidenced by the 2007 West Bromwich Network Church plant, which was a collaboration between Rev. Evan Cockshaw (on behalf of Lichfield Diocese), West Bromwich & District YMCA, and the Walter Stanley Trust.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Trust Purposes

The trust is legally bound to support ecclesiastical purposes in the West Bromwich Deanery. Successful funding has been documented for:

Church Infrastructure: The Good Shepherd with St John Church received furniture and flooring, “the majority by the Walter Stanley Trust,” demonstrating support for practical church improvements that enhance worship spaces.

Innovative Ministry Models: West Bromwich Network Church (2007) was funded as a church plant specifically “to create new forms of church for the 20-30s generation across the deanery of West Bromwich,” showing openness to contemporary ministry approaches.

Church of England Connection

All funding is directed to Church of England parishes and projects. The trust operates within Anglican ecclesiastical structures and follows schemes established by Parliament specifically for Church of England purposes in West Bromwich.

Geographic Limitation

Strict limitation to the West Bromwich Deanery means projects must be located within this specific geographic area to be eligible.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Not publicly accessible: This trust does not accept general applications - it operates through Church of England ecclesiastical channels only
Deanery-specific: Only Church of England parishes and projects within the West Bromwich Deanery are eligible
Significant resources: With £787,000 in annual expenditure, the trust has substantial funds to distribute
Building and ministry focus: Documented funding includes church buildings, furnishings, and innovative ministry projects
Partnership approach: The trust has shown willingness to partner with diocesan initiatives and other organizations on specific projects
Work through official channels: Contact the Lichfield Diocese or your parish leadership rather than approaching the trust directly
Long-term commitment: As a 400+ year old endowment, the trust represents stable, ongoing support for West Bromwich Anglican churches