Gospel Partners Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £322,409 (2024)
• Total Granted Since 2003: Over £3,000,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly review cycle (approximately 3 months)
• Grant Range: £2,000 - £3,000 (average grants in 2024)
• Geographic Focus: UK (with clear UK connection required for international projects)
• Theological Orientation: Conservative evangelical

Contact Details

Address: St. Helens Church, Great St. Helens, London EC3A 6AT

Phone: 020 7283 2231

Email: info@gospelpartnerstrust.org

Website: www.gospelpartnerstrust.org

Trust Administrator: Alan Bright (alan.bright@gospelpartnerstrust.org) - handles applications and inquiries

Overview

Gospel Partners Trust was registered as a charity in England & Wales on 30 April 2003 (Charity Number 1097301). Since its inception, the trust has granted over £3 million to support gospel ministry. With an annual expenditure of approximately £322,000 (2024), the trust focuses on the furtherance of the Christian faith in the UK and overseas, with special emphasis on districts and ministries where financial resources are limited, and the education, training, and deployment of workers without adequate financial resources. The trust is conservative evangelical in theology and operates with a lean volunteer structure - no trustees receive remuneration, and all administrative work is handled by volunteers. The organization is closely connected to St. Helens Bishopsgate in London, with several trustees having links to this church and the wider conservative evangelical network.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Ministry Trainee Support: £2,000 (average 2024)

• For individuals in church ministry trainee schemes
• Rolling applications reviewed quarterly

Theological Student Support: £2,400 (average 2024)

• For students at theological colleges
• Typically undergraduate-level theological training
• Rolling applications reviewed quarterly

Church Projects: £3,000 (average 2024)

• Particularly for new church initiatives
• Church planting and revitalization projects
• Rolling applications reviewed quarterly

The trust meets quarterly to review applications. The trust rarely provides all funding for any individual or project and cannot guarantee funding for more than one year due to the nature of its income.

Priority Areas

• Ministry Training: Supporting individuals training for gospel ministry at theological colleges or through church-based trainee schemes
• Church Planting & New Initiatives: Particularly supporting churches undertaking new gospel ministry projects
• Underserved Areas: Districts and areas where financial and other resources are less available
• Regional Gospel Partnerships: Supporting work connected to the eleven regional Gospel Partnerships across the UK (East Anglia, East of Scotland, Midlands, North East, North West, Peninsula, Solent, South East, South West, Sussex, and Yorkshire)
• UK Focus: Primary emphasis on UK-based ministry with clear UK connections required for international work

What They Don't Fund

• Postgraduate studies immediately following undergraduate degrees: The trust rarely supports masters and doctorates that immediately follow undergraduate studies
• International projects without UK connection: Projects outside the UK must have clear UK links (e.g., connection to a regional Gospel Partnership)
• Full project funding: The trust rarely provides all funding for any individual or project
• Multi-year guaranteed funding: Cannot guarantee funding beyond one year
• Applicants who haven't exhausted other funding sources: Preference given to those who have pursued family, friends, churches, individuals in their ministry context, other trusts, and personal savings

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (Current):

Simon Pilcher - Chairman: A fund manager in the City who resides in Essex and regularly preaches at his local church.

Brian O'Donoghue - Secretary: Manages external partnerships and projects at St. Helens Bishopsgate in London. Previously worked as a corporate lawyer in the City.

Carrie Sandom: Works with the Proclamation Trust and serves on the Bishop of Ebbsfleet's advisory council.

Kyla Malcolm - Treasurer: Works professionally as an economist in London.

Alan Bright - Trust Administrator: Handles administrative functions including applications and donor communications (not a trustee but key operational contact).

The trust emphasizes its volunteer nature - no trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Gospel Partners Trust operates a rolling application system with no formal application form.

Submission Method: Email Alan Bright (alan.bright@gospelpartnerstrust.org) with required information as a Word document, PDF, or similar format.

For Individual Applicants (ministry trainees and theological students):

• Purpose of funds needed
• Christian background and ministry experience
• Age, education, and employment history
• Future goals and plans
• Annual budget showing: income and expenditure, existing funds and sources, amount requested from the trust, current shortfall, and strategy for raising remaining funds (accounting for spouse, children, or other dependents where applicable)
• Two references sent directly by referees to the trustees (not via the applicant)

For Church/Project Applicants:

• Project rationale and development plans
• Information about key personnel involved
• Three-year budgets and funds raised to date
• Church accounts (if church-based) and typical Sunday attendance
• Two references from people familiar with both the project and key individuals
• At least one reference must be from someone outside the church organization

Important Note: The trust may share applicant details with potential donors to facilitate additional funding opportunities beyond the trust's own grants.

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet four times per year (quarterly) to consider applications
• Application deadline example: For the meeting at the end of February, applications and references must arrive by 1 February
• Applicants should plan for approximately 3-month cycles between trustee meetings
• Notification methods are not specified but would typically come via email from the trust administrator

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. The trust does not publish statistics on the number of applications received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Contact the trust administrator for guidance if an application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirement - Demonstrate Exhausted Funding Sources: The trust explicitly states it “prefer[s] to receive applications which demonstrate that applicants have mostly exhausted their available avenues of support - eg family, friends, churches, individuals among whom they have been involved in ministry, other trusts, personal savings etc.” Your application must clearly show what other funding you've pursued and secured.

Theological Alignment is Essential: The trust is conservative evangelical in its theology and successful applicants are likely to be so also. Applications should reflect this theological orientation.

References Carry Significant Weight: According to donor feedback, “The trust does the due diligence that I am simply unable to do on that many applications.” References are critical - trustees prioritize referees they already know and may request additional information. Choose referees who can speak authoritatively about your character, ministry capability, and theological soundness.

Realistic Budgeting: Applications must include thorough budget information demonstrating clear thinking about financial needs. Show all income sources, existing commitments, and realistic fundraising plans.

UK Connection Required: For international projects, clearly articulate the UK connection, such as links to a regional Gospel Partnership or UK-based supporting churches.

Modest Expectations: In 2024, average grants were £2,000 for trainees, £2,400 for theological students, and £3,000 for churches. The trust rarely provides full funding and cannot guarantee multi-year support. Frame your request accordingly.

New Church Initiatives Prioritized: For church applications, the trust particularly welcomes proposals for “new initiatives” - church planting, revitalization projects, and innovative gospel outreach.

Evidence of Ministry Integration: Demonstrate that you're embedded in gospel ministry communities. Show involvement in churches, regional Gospel Partnerships, or theological networks that align with the trust's conservative evangelical stance.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Exhaust other funding first: Clearly document all other funding sources pursued (family, friends, churches, other trusts, personal savings) - this is the trustees' stated preference
• Conservative evangelical theology matters: The trust is explicit that successful applicants are “likely to be” conservative evangelical in theology - ensure alignment is clear
• References are critical due diligence: Choose referees the trustees may know within conservative evangelical networks; references carry significant weight in decision-making
• Think modest and supplementary: Average grants range £2,000-£3,000; position your request as part of a broader funding strategy, not as comprehensive support
• Quarterly cycles require planning: With four annual trustee meetings, plan application timing carefully (e.g., 1 February deadline for end-of-February meeting)
• UK connection is non-negotiable: For any non-UK work, clearly articulate links to regional Gospel Partnerships or UK churches
• New church initiatives get priority: Church applications focusing on new ministry initiatives, church planting, or revitalization projects align most closely with stated priorities
• Multi-year funding is uncertain: The trust “cannot guarantee funding for more than one year” - plan accordingly and don't expect ongoing commitments

References

• Gospel Partners Trust - Official Website
• Gospel Partners Trust - How to Apply
• Gospel Partners Trust - Trustees
• Gospel Partners Trust - Partnering
• Charity Commission - Gospel Partners Trust Charity Details
• Affinity - Gospel Partnerships and Gospel Unity in the United Kingdom