Francis Coales Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £118,000
• Success Rate: 92-100%
• Decision Time: 3 trustee meetings per year
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire (churches); UK-wide (monuments)

Contact Details

Website: https://franciscoales.co.uk

Phone: 01934 750817

Email: administrator@franciscoales.uk

Address: The Old Rectory, Rectory Way, Lympsham, Weston-Super-Mare, BS24 0EW

Overview

The Francis Coales Charitable Foundation was established in 1975 following the winding up of Francis Coales and Son Ltd., a corn merchant business operating in Buckinghamshire from 1885. The foundation focuses specifically on structural repair of old buildings (built before 1875) that are open to the public, with a strong preference for churches and their contents in the historic counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Northamptonshire. With annual expenditure of approximately £118,000 and grant commitments of £121,300 across 22 approved applications in 2024, the foundation demonstrates consistent support for ecclesiastical heritage conservation. The foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025 and presents an annual Memorial Chalice to parishes demonstrating sustained restoration work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Main Grant Program: £1,000 - £10,000 for structural repair of buildings built before 1875
• Applications via electronic interactive form (rolling basis)
• Assessed at one of three annual trustee meetings

Priority Areas

• Church Fabric Repairs: Structural repair of ecclesiastical buildings in four core counties
• Wall Painting Conservation: Considered part of building fabric
• Monuments and Monumental Brasses: UK-wide (ICON accredited conservators required)
• Archaeological research and heritage documentation
• Publication of architectural and archaeological materials

What They Don't Fund

• Domestic items (heating, electrical, lighting)
• Buildings not open to the public
• Buildings built after 1875 (outside primary area)
• Revenue costs or operational expenses

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• H. Martin Stuchfield MBE (Chairman since 2006) - Conservation Officer for Monumental Brass Society
• Matthew J. Saunders MBE - Architectural historian and conservation expert
• Rev. Brian H. Wilcox - Responsible for technical aspects of applications
• John Barker - Chartered building surveyor specializing in ecclesiastical buildings
• John E. Vigar - Professional ecclesiastical historian

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Download interactive grant application form from franciscoales.co.uk
• Submit electronically with detailed work specifications
• Friends organizations require PCC confirmation letter
• Applications accepted year-round

Decision Timeline

• Three trustee meetings annually
• Technical review by one trustee before full board consideration
• Notification following trustee meetings

Success Rates

• 2024: 100% (22 of 22 approved)
• 2023: 92% (23 of 25 approved)

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified (rarely needed given high success rates)

Application Success Factors

• Technical accuracy is critical - Applications undergo expert technical assessment
• Focus on fabric, not facilities - Structural conservation only
• Geographic alignment matters - Four core counties for churches (pre-1974 boundaries)
• Pre-1875 construction required - Firm date requirement
• Public access essential - Buildings must be open to public
• ICON accreditation required for monument/brass conservators
• Wall paintings considered fabric - Unlike many funders
• Long-term relationships valued - Memorial Chalice for sustained engagement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Exceptional 92-100% success rates suggest applicants understand criteria well
• Technical specifications essential - provide professionally-prepared details
• Strictly “fabric” not “facilities” - no heating, lighting, or wiring
• Geographic restrictions firm but monuments/brasses UK-wide
• Chairman's expertise in monumental brasses may favor aligned applications
• Consider foundation as long-term partner for major restoration programs
• Applications from Friends groups need PCC acknowledgment

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Historic Houses Foundation
• The Friends of Kent Churches
• The Devon Historic Churches Trust
• Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust
• Churches Conservation
• Friends of Essex Churches Trust
• The Northumbria Historic Churches Trust
• The Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust
• The Suffolk Historic Churches Trust
• THE ALAN EVANS MEMORIAL TRUST

References

• Francis Coales Charitable Foundation official website, https://franciscoales.co.uk
• Charity Commission Register, Charity 270718
• Heritage Funding Directory UK, Francis Coales entry
• National Churches Trust support organization profile
• Diocese of St Albans News, Memorial Chalice presentation
• Charity Commission Annual Returns 2023-2024