David Laing Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £451,234 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-16 weeks (quarterly trustee meetings)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Northamptonshire

Contact Details

Website: https://www.davidlaingfoundation.co.uk/

Email: dlf@hcrlaw.com

Phone: 01604 233233

Address: c/o HCR Hewitsons, Lancaster House, Northampton

Overview

The David Laing Foundation (charity number 278462) was established by David Laing CBE DL, grandson of Sir John Laing, founder of John Laing Construction Company. The Foundation had an annual income of £264,378 and total expenditure of £451,234 in the financial year ending April 2024. The Foundation operates as a general grant-making trust supporting charitable organisations across Northamptonshire with emphasis on ethos and faith, youth, health, arts, disability and disadvantage, education, community, heritage and heritage skills. Following David Laing's passing in March 2024, the Foundation continues under the stewardship of five trustees, including family members. David Laing was awarded a CBE in the 2024 New Year's Honours list for his services to charity and philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single grant program accepting applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, with decisions made at quarterly trustee meetings.

Priority Areas

The Foundation offers funding to a wide range of charitable organisations with particular emphasis on:

• Ethos and faith - Supporting faith-based organisations and initiatives
• Youth - Programs benefiting young people across Northamptonshire
• Health - Health-related charitable initiatives
• Arts - Arts organisations and cultural programs (David Laing had a particular passion for arts organisations, especially Birmingham Royal Ballet)
• Disability and disadvantage - Supporting disabled people and disadvantaged communities
• Education - Educational initiatives and programs
• Community - Community development and grassroots organisations
• Heritage and heritage skills - Preservation and development of heritage

The Foundation supports both established charities and small volunteer-led groups.

Geographic Focus

Grants are exclusively available to charitable organisations operating in Northamptonshire.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, as with most foundations, grants are likely restricted to registered charities and charitable organisations within Northamptonshire.

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by five trustees:

• Charles William David Laing (appointed 1 January 2023) - Also serves as trustee for The Paviors' Charity, The London Construction Academy, The Beatrice Laing Trust, The Maurice and Hilda Laing Charitable Trust, and The Early Opera Company Limited
• John Benjamin Laing (appointed 26 March 2024)
• Frances Mary Laing - Also serves as trustee for The Wadenhoe Trust
• Dominic Adrian Hopkins (appointed 23 September 2023) - Also serves as trustee for Museum of London Archaeology
• Mr. John Stuart Lewis DL FCIS

No trustees receive remuneration, and the charity has no employees receiving benefits over £60,000.

David Laing's Philosophy

David Laing's approach to philanthropy was guided by his motto: “Let Your Light Shine”. Colleagues described him as “a man with an enormous heart” whose “philanthropy was often guided right to the centre of an issue, where most needed.” He was known for his “charming personality, genuine warmth and wholehearted concern for the welfare of Northamptonshire and its people.” His approach championed values of “peace, justice, and strong institutions” and he was particularly interested in supporting small charities and volunteer-led groups while addressing evolving community challenges.

How to Apply to David Laing Foundation

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted at any time on a rolling basis. The Foundation website indicates that an application form is available online, though the specific online application portal may have changed following David Laing's passing. Applicants are advised to complete the application form in full and can direct questions to dlf@hcrlaw.com.

Decision Timeline

• Acknowledgment: Applications are reviewed and acknowledged within 2 weeks of submission
• Decision: Decisions are made at quarterly trustee meetings
• Notification: Applicants are informed of the outcome within 4 weeks of the trustee meeting
• Total timeline: Approximately 2-4 months from submission to final decision, depending on the timing of your application relative to the quarterly meeting schedule

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose application numbers or success rates. For context, the related Christopher Laing Foundation historically awards grants to approximately 1 in 6 applicants (16.7% success rate), though the David Laing Foundation's rates may differ.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation has not publicly disclosed its reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. For reference, the related Laing Family Trusts ask unsuccessful applicants to wait at least 18 months before reapplying. Applicants should contact the Foundation directly for clarification on their specific policy.

Application Success Factors

Based on David Laing's documented approach to philanthropy and the Foundation's stated priorities:

Alignment with Local Needs: David Laing's philanthropy was described as being “guided right to the centre of an issue, where most needed.” Applications should clearly demonstrate how the proposed work addresses genuine, pressing needs within Northamptonshire communities.

Focus on Grassroots Impact: The Foundation has a documented interest in supporting small charities and volunteer-led groups. Smaller organisations should not hesitate to apply, provided they can demonstrate effective use of funds.

Values Alignment: David Laing championed “peace, justice, and strong institutions.” Applications that align with these values and demonstrate ethical approaches to their work may resonate with trustees.

Clear Connection to Priority Areas: While the Foundation funds across a broad spectrum, applications with clear connections to youth, disability, arts, heritage, or faith-based work align closely with stated emphases.

Northamptonshire Focus: Geographic restriction to Northamptonshire is strictly observed. Applications must clearly demonstrate operations and impact within the county.

Complete Applications: The Foundation requests that applicants “complete the application form in full,” suggesting attention to detail and thoroughness is valued.

Example Funded Project: The Foundation has sponsored accessible books for Living Paintings, an organisation creating materials for people with visual impairments, demonstrating support for disability-focused arts and education initiatives.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Rolling applications accepted year-round - Apply when ready, but account for quarterly decision cycle
• Northamptonshire organisations only - Geographic restriction is strictly enforced
• Broad funding remit - While emphasis areas exist, the Foundation describes itself as a “general grant making trust”
• Small organisations welcome - The Foundation's philosophy explicitly values grassroots and volunteer-led groups
• Values matter - Alignment with principles of peace, justice, and community welfare resonates with the Foundation's mission
• Allow 2-4 months for decisions - Factor quarterly meeting schedule into project planning timelines
• Complete applications essential - Take time to fully complete all sections of the application form

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Davidge Usher Trust
• The Benham Charitable Settlement
• Beckett's And Sargeant's Educational Foundation
• Leicester Charity Organisation Society (charity Link)
• Margaret Giffen Charitable Trust
• The J Reginald Corah Foundation Fund
• The Maud Elkington Charitable Trust
• Provincial Grand Charity Of Northamptonshire And Huntingdonshire
• The Macdonald-buchanan Charitable Trust
• Sir John Eastwood Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register - David Laing Foundation (278462): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=278462 (Accessed 2 December 2025)
• David Laing Foundation website: https://www.davidlaingfoundation.co.uk/ (Accessed 2 December 2025)
• Northamptonshire Community Foundation - A commemoration and thank you to David Laing CBE: https://www.ncf.uk.com/giving/tribute-david-laing-cbe (Accessed 2 December 2025) - Source of quotes about David Laing's philanthropic philosophy
• The Worshipful Company of Paviors - David Laing CBE DL biography: https://www.paviors.org.uk/david-e-laing-dl/ (Accessed 2 December 2025)
• Living Paintings - Books sponsored by The David Laing Foundation: https://livingpaintings.org/sponsored-by/the-david-laing-foundation (Accessed 2 December 2025)
• West Northamptonshire Council - Tributes paid to celebrated civic champion: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/news/tributes-paid-celebrated-civic-champion (Accessed 2 December 2025) - Source of “Let Your Light Shine” motto