Cheshunt College (cambridge)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £163,176 (2024)
• Annual Income: £176,618 (2024)
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: UK and international (priority for EFCC members)
• Charity Number: 311447

Contact Details

Primary Contact:

• Tutorial Office Phone: 01223 330 630
• Email: office@westminster.cam.ac.uk (also tutorial@westminster.cam.ac.uk)
• Address: Westminster College, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0AA
• Reception: 01223 33 06 33 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm)

Overview

The Cheshunt Foundation, operating as Cheshunt College (Cambridge) charity number 311447, was originally founded in 1768 by Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, making it the oldest of Cambridge's theological colleges. Following a 1967 merger with Westminster College Cambridge, the Foundation now operates under a Board of Governors to advance theological education for ministry both in the United Kingdom and globally. With an annual expenditure of £163,176 (2024), the Foundation provides scholarships, bursaries, maintenance allowances, and grants to ministers of religion and lay people pursuing theological education. The Foundation manages multiple linked scholarship funds and is not associated by constitution with any single denomination, though it gives priority to members of the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches (EFCC).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Cheshunt Foundation administers multiple scholarship and bursary funds including:

• Postgraduate Studies: Financial support for advanced theological research
• Sabbatical Funding: Ten-week terms (shorter periods considered) for ministers and lay people in ministry
• Continuing Ministerial Education: Ongoing professional development for ministry professionals
• General Scholarships and Bursaries: Tenable at Westminster College, Cambridge or other institutions approved by the Governors

The Foundation manages 12+ linked funds including:

• Allon Scholarship Fund
• Mather Scholarship and Library Fund
• Nora Madeline Burns Fund
• Arthur Burns Fund
• Astbury Exhibition Fund
• Bursarial and Scholarship Fund
• Henry Lee Scholarship and Exhibition Fund
• New Bursary Fund
• And others

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Ministers of religion pursuing education for ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• Lay people in ministry and teaching, particularly from the EFCC
• Postgraduate theological research
• Sabbaticals for rest, reflection, and study for ministry leaders
• Academic scholars engaged in theological teaching and scholarship

Priority Groups:

• Active ministry within the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches (EFCC)
• Ministers in the United Reformed Church and ecumenical partners
• Wider Christian community members pursuing serious theological study

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation's charitable objects specify grants are for theological education and ministry training. While specific exclusions are not publicly listed, the focus is clearly on:

• Individual grants only (not organizational funding)
• Theological and ministry education specifically
• Those pursuing courses approved by the Governors

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Governors:

• Currently convened by Revd Bill Bowman
• 9 Trustees listed on Charity Commission register
• No trustees receive remuneration or payments
• Represents diverse stakeholders in theological education

Operational Structure:

• No trading subsidiaries
• No employees with benefits over £60,000
• Works in partnership with Westminster College, Cambridge
• Annual reports submitted to Charity Commission are publicly available

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Cheshunt Foundation does not operate a formal online application portal. Interested applicants should contact the Tutorial Office directly to inquire about funding opportunities and the application process.

Application Method:

• Contact: Tutorial Office at 01223 330 630
• Email: tutorial@westminster.cam.ac.uk or office@westminster.cam.ac.uk
• Address: Westminster College, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0AA

For Sabbaticals:

Applications for sabbatical funding through the Cheshunt Foundation should be directed to the Director at the above contact details.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Applicants should inquire directly with the Tutorial Office about processing times for their specific program.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. Annual reports submitted to Charity Commission may contain additional details about grant distribution.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Applicants should inquire directly with the Foundation.

Application Success Factors

Eligibility Alignment:

• Priority is given to those engaged in active ministry within the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches (EFCC)
• The Governors will consider applicants from the wider Christian community who wish to pursue “serious study to help them in their work” - this phrase suggests applications should demonstrate clear practical ministry application

Key Considerations:

• The Foundation continues a legacy dating to 1768, suggesting respect for theological tradition
• Multiple linked funds indicate various criteria - inquire which fund best matches your circumstances
• Sabbaticals typically run for ten-week terms, with shorter periods considered
• The Reid Fellowship (separate but related) funds sabbaticals for “scholars or practitioners to research Christian ministry or education”

Strategic Approach:

• Direct contact with the Tutorial Office is essential - no online portal exists
• Demonstrate how theological study will enhance ministry work
• EFCC members should emphasize their active ministry role
• Non-EFCC applicants should clearly articulate the serious nature of their study and its ministry application

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Direct Contact Required: No public application process exists; all inquiries must go through the Tutorial Office at Westminster College
• Priority to EFCC: While open to the wider Christian community, active ministers in the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches receive priority
• Individual Focus: All grants are to individuals for theological education, not organizational funding
• Multiple Funds: With 12+ linked scholarship funds, inquire which fund best matches your needs and circumstances
• Sabbatical Opportunities: Ten-week sabbaticals available for ministers and lay people in ministry for rest, reflection, and study
• Flexibility: Governors will consider applications from beyond their priority group if applicants demonstrate serious study relevant to ministry work
• Long Legacy: As the oldest Cambridge theological college (founded 1768), the Foundation has deep roots in theological education

References

1. Charity Commission Register - CHESHUNT COLLEGE (CAMBRIDGE), Charity Number 311447.. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/311447
2. Westminster College Cambridge - Cheshunt Foundation page.. https://www.westminster.cam.ac.uk/cheshunt
3. Westminster College Cambridge - Sabbaticals page.. https://www.westminster.cam.ac.uk/sabbaticals
4. Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches - Other Trusts page.. https://www.efcc.org.uk/resources/other-trusts/
5. Westminster College Cambridge - Contact information.. https://www.westminster.cam.ac.uk/contact-academic
6. British History Online - The city of Cambridge: Theological colleges.. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol3/pp139-141

Financial information (£176,618 income, £163,176 expenditure) from Charity Commission register for financial year ending 30 June 2024.