Childs Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £831,763 (2023 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (highly competitive)
• Decision Time: Up to 6 months
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: UK and overseas Christian mission work

Contact Details

Website: www.childscharitabletrust.org

Email: info@childstrust.org

Phone: 01323 417944

Registered Address: Pawlett, Somerset

For application enquiries, contact the office to request an application form after reviewing the funding criteria.

Overview

Founded by Ernest Childs, a builder from Woking, Surrey, the Childs Charitable Trust was registered as a charity in 2013 (Charity Number 1153327). The Trust is a grant-making organization supporting Christian charities and organizations working in the UK and overseas. With an income of £359,472 and expenditure of £831,763 in 2023, the Trust operates with a clear mission: “to see a world where every person has the potential to hear and respond to the Gospel message.” The Trust is currently managed by five trustees and employs one staff member (CEO Melanie Churchyard, who has been with the organization since 1999). The Trust takes a strategic approach to funding, focusing specifically on organizations that actively share the Christian gospel in their work through evangelistic, educational, and humanitarian projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

New Applicants: Up to £5,000 maximum (organizations not funded in the past 3 years)

Previous Recipients: Up to £10,000 maximum (organizations funded within the past 3 years)

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, with trustees meeting quarterly to make funding decisions.

Application Schedule:

• Applications received November-February: Considered in April
• Applications received March-May: Considered in July
• Applications received June-August: Considered in October
• No trustees meeting in January

Important Note: The Trust is frequently closed to new applications due to high demand. Organizations not previously funded within the past 3 years should check the website for current application status before applying.

Priority Areas

The Trust funds organizations that:

• RE lessons and school assemblies
• Lunchtime and after-school clubs
• Evangelism programs
• Personal development programmes
• Homelessness prevention

• Church plants
• Overseas missions
• Training in evangelism
• Chaplaincy work

1. Society - Initiatives with positive social impact demonstrating how faith contributes to social action and justice

1. Policy, Advocacy, and Research - Applications to develop policy work, advocacy initiatives, and research projects will also be considered

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

• Building work, repairs, or restoration projects
• Foodbanks
• Street Pastors or Street Wardens
• GAP year projects
• Uniformed youth organizations (e.g., Scouts, Guides)
• Organizations less than 3 years old with turnover under £100,000
• Organizations with turnover over £5 million (must contact office first to check eligibility)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Steve Puttock - Trustee since 2008
• Chris Large - Trustee since 2013
• Melanie Churchyard - Trustee since 2020
• Robin Peake - Trustee since 2021
• Janice Kalyan - Trustee since 2022

Chief Executive Officer:

Melanie Churchyard - Has worked at the Trust since October 1999 and was appointed to the board of trustees in October 2020.

The Trust maintains a hands-on approach to grant-making, with trustees sometimes requesting site visits or additional information before making funding decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Review Funding Criteria: Carefully review all eligibility requirements and exclusions on the Trust's website
2. Check Application Status: Verify the Trust is currently accepting new applications (frequently closed to new applicants)
3. Contact the Office: Request an application form by contacting the Trust office
4. Submit Application: Complete and return the application form
5. Await Decision: Applications are considered at quarterly trustee meetings

Key Requirement: Organizations must demonstrate active gospel-sharing in their work, which should be evident on their website or listed in their Charity Commission objects.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales, Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, or Charity Commission of Northern Ireland (or be an “excepted” charity)
• Must share the Trust's Christian ethos and vision
• Must actively share the Christian gospel in their work
• Organizations over 3 years old OR turnover over £100,000 (if younger)

Decision Timeline

• Application to Decision: Up to 6 months
• Trustees Meetings: Quarterly (April, July, October, with no meeting in January)
• Additional Steps: May include requests for further information or site visits before final decision

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust explicitly states they “receive many more requests than we can fund,” indicating highly competitive selection. The Trust's approach of frequently closing to new applications further suggests extremely high demand relative to available funds.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have been funded within the past 3 years may reapply. Organizations not funded within the past 3 years are typically unable to apply during periods when the Trust is closed to new applicants. When closed, previously unfunded organizations should not contact the Trust to request funding until the application status is reviewed (typically October each year).

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's published guidance and priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Gospel Focus: Organizations must demonstrate they actively share the Christian gospel in their work. This should be evident on your website and in your charitable objects. Generic Christian ethos is insufficient—active evangelism is required.

1. Strategic Alignment: Applications should clearly show alignment with one or more of the Trust's three priority areas (Youth, Outreach, Society).

• New applicants should request no more than £5,000
• Previous recipients can request up to £10,000
• Grants typically average around £10,000

1. Appropriate Organizational Size: While there are no strict minimum requirements (except for organizations under 3 years old), organizations with turnover exceeding £5 million must contact the office before applying.

1. Eligible Activities: Ensure your project does not fall within the explicit exclusions list, particularly building projects, foodbanks, or uniformed youth groups.

1. Strong Application: Given the highly competitive nature and the note that the Trust receives “many more requests than can be funded,” applications must be compelling, well-written, and demonstrate clear impact.

1. Patience and Timing: The process can take up to 6 months, and trustees may request additional information or conduct site visits. Be prepared for thorough due diligence.

Key Insight: The Trust's frequent closure to new applications suggests they prioritize building long-term relationships with existing grantees. First-time applicants should be aware that competition is extremely high, and gaining initial funding may be more challenging than securing repeat grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Gospel-centered is non-negotiable: Your organization must actively share the Christian gospel—not just operate with Christian values. Make this explicit in your application and ensure it's visible on your website.

• Timing is critical: The Trust frequently closes to new applications. Monitor their website regularly and apply as soon as applications open. Previous grantees have ongoing access.

• Request appropriate amounts: Don't exceed the £5,000 maximum for first-time applications or £10,000 for repeat applicants. Requesting more will likely disqualify your application.

• Avoid excluded categories: Before investing time in an application, carefully review the exclusions list. Building projects, foodbanks, and uniformed youth groups are explicitly excluded.

• Plan for a long timeline: With up to 6 months for decisions and quarterly trustee meetings, apply well in advance of when you need the funds.

• Build relationships for future funding: The Trust's structure favors repeat applicants (higher grant amounts, continued access when closed to new applicants). A first grant should be seen as the start of a potential long-term funding relationship.

• Demonstrate impact, not just need: With high competition, show how your work advances the Trust's vision of giving every person the potential to hear and respond to the Gospel message.

References

• Childs Charitable Trust official website - https://childscharitabletrust.org/
• Childs Charitable Trust funding criteria - https://childscharitabletrust.org/funding/
• Childs Charitable Trust Meet the Team - https://childscharitabletrust.org/meet-the-team/
• UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1153327 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1153327&subid=0
• Young Camden Foundation - Childs Charitable Trust profile - https://youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/funding/childs-charitable-trust
• Forum Strategy - Childs Charitable Trust profile - https://forumstrategy.org/funding-grants/childs-charitable-trust/
• Find that Charity - GB-CHC-1153327 - https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1153327