Greyfriars Missionary Trust

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 270369
• Annual Income: £128,977 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £110,452 (2024)
• Founded: November 1975
• Geographic Focus: International (with focus on evangelical Christian mission work)
• Application Method: Contact-based (no public application portal)
• Primary Beneficiaries: Greyfriars and New Hope church members and associated mission partners

Contact Details

Email: mission@greyfriars.org.uk

Chair: Martin Haley

Phone: 1189516700

Address: Reading, England

Website: https://greyfriars.org.uk/globalmission/

Charity Commission: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/270369

Overview

Greyfriars Missionary Trust was established in November 1975 as a church-based trust to provide funding for members and charitable organisations working overseas with NGOs, universities and mission societies. With an annual income of approximately £129,000, the Trust operates as the funding arm of Greyfriars Church in Reading, supporting both short-term and long-term Christian missionary work in the evangelical tradition. The Trust functions entirely through volunteer trustees who receive no remuneration, and it raises funds from the public without working with professional fundraisers or commercial participators. The majority of Trust funds support Greyfriars' mission partners working internationally, with smaller amounts allocated to selected mission agencies.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Long-term Mission Partner Support

• Ongoing financial support for established mission partners
• Individuals and couples serving internationally
• Duration: Multi-year commitments
• Application: Through relationship with Greyfriars Church

Short-term Mission Grants

• Duration: Two weeks to one year
• Eligibility: Members of Greyfriars and New Hope churches
• Includes: Gap-year programs, career breaks, post-retirement service, school/university trips
• Examples: 6-month placements in Nepal and South Africa, 3-4 week projects in Brazil and Cambodia

Team Mission Support

• Youth group mission trips
• Student ministry teams
• Adult ministry teams
• Examples funded: Greyfriars Youth trip to Peru, student Salvation Army project in USA, holiday programme for missionary children in Thailand

Mission Agency Grants

• Smaller grants to selected mission agencies
• Supports organizations aligned with evangelical Christian mission work

Priority Areas

Geographic Focus:

• Uganda (David and Emma Craig; Sam and Chloe Mutton)
• South Sudan/Kenya (Emmanuel and Grace Sharland; Roger and Jos Sharland)
• Bangladesh (Phil and Jenny Bushell)
• Wales (Eli and Dan King)
• UK-based mission work (Richard and Riekje Wallace)

Thematic Priorities:

• Evangelical Christian missionary work
• Gospel outreach in all nations
• Partnerships with NGOs, universities, and mission societies working overseas
• Supporting individuals called to long-term mission service
• Enabling short-term mission experiences for church members

What They Don't Fund

The Trust appears to exclusively fund:

• Christian evangelical mission work
• Activities aligned with advancement of religion through missionary work
• Individuals and organizations connected to Greyfriars and New Hope churches or their approved mission partners

Based on their specific religious charitable purpose, they would not fund:

• Non-religious charitable work
• Projects not aligned with evangelical Christian mission
• Organizations or individuals without connection to the church community

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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

• Chair: Martin Haley (contact: mission@greyfriars.org.uk)

Trustee Board (as of 2024):

• 5 trustees total
• All serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration
• No employees with benefits over £60,000

Previous Trustees (2022):

• Liz Smith (Chair)
• Alan Cross
• Helen Dibley
• Craig Hampton
• Tim Seals
• Rev David

Governance Principles:

• All trustees serve without payment or benefits
• No trading subsidiaries
• Volunteer-driven governance structure (1 additional volunteer beyond trustees)
• Transparent financial reporting to Charity Commission

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Long-term Mission Partner Support:

There is no public application process. Mission partners are typically individuals from within the Greyfriars and New Hope church community who have developed their calling to mission through relationship with the church. Those interested in long-term mission support should:

• Establish membership and relationship with Greyfriars or New Hope church
• Engage with the church's mission leadership
• Contact Martin Haley at mission@greyfriars.org.uk to discuss potential partnership

For Short-term Mission Grants:

Any member of Greyfriars and New Hope churches can apply for short-term mission grants (2 weeks to 1 year). The application process includes:

• Contact the Missionary Trust chair at mission@greyfriars.org.uk
• No published deadlines - inquire about current availability
• Suitable for gap years, career breaks, post-retirement service, or short-term projects

For Mission Agencies:

The Trust allocates smaller amounts to selected mission agencies. These appear to be established partnerships rather than open applications. Organizations should contact the Trust directly to inquire about potential partnership.

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timelines are published. Given the relationship-based nature of the Trust's work and volunteer governance structure, prospective applicants should:

• Contact well in advance of planned mission work
• Allow time for relationship building with church leadership
• Expect decisions to be made by trustee meetings (frequency not specified)

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Trust's structure suggests:

• High success rate for church members applying for short-term mission grants (given eligibility criteria)
• Long-term mission partners represent established relationships rather than competitive applications
• Annual expenditure of £110,452 supports multiple mission partners and short-term mission grants

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is published. Given the relationship-based model:

• Short-term mission grant recipients may apply for multiple trips if remaining church members
• Long-term mission partners typically receive ongoing support rather than reapplying annually

Application Success Factors

For Church Members Seeking Short-term Mission Grants:

• Membership is essential: “Anyone who is a member of Greyfriars and New Hope can apply for a short-term mission grant”
• Duration flexibility: The Trust supports missions ranging from two weeks to one year, accommodating various life stages
• Diverse life stages welcomed: Explicitly includes “those undertaking post-retirement or career break experiences as well as those going on school or university gap-year trips”
• Team projects supported: History of funding youth groups, student teams, and adult ministry teams

For Prospective Long-term Mission Partners:

• Relationship with the church community: Long-term funding appears reserved for those who have developed their calling through relationship with Greyfriars/New Hope
• Alignment with evangelical mission: The Trust's charitable purpose specifies “Christian missionary work in the evangelical Christian tradition”
• Partnership with established organizations: Mission partners work with NGOs, universities, and mission societies
• Geographic diversity valued: Current mission partners serve across multiple continents

For Mission Agencies:

• Alignment with Trust priorities: Selected agencies should support evangelical Christian mission work
• Established partnership model: Appears to fund ongoing relationships rather than one-off projects

Key Strategic Insight:

The Trust operates on a relationship-based model rather than competitive grant-making. Success is built on connection to the Greyfriars and New Hope church community and alignment with their evangelical mission priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Membership prerequisite: For short-term grants, you must be a member of Greyfriars or New Hope churches - this is non-negotiable
• Relationship over application: The Trust operates through established relationships rather than formal application processes; building connection with church leadership is essential
• Wide age range welcomed: From school gap years to post-retirement service, the Trust explicitly welcomes mission work across all life stages
• Flexible durations: Short-term grants support anything from two-week trips to year-long placements
• Contact early: With no published deadlines or timelines, reach out to mission@greyfriars.org.uk well in advance of your planned mission work
• Evangelical alignment required: All funding supports “Christian missionary work in the evangelical Christian tradition” - ensure your project fits this purpose
• Team applications possible: The Trust has a track record of supporting group missions, not just individuals

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Smith Bradbeer Charitable Trust
• HESED TRUST
• UK Foundation for Christian Service
• THE MAURICE AND HILDA LAING CHARITABLE TRUST
• Seedfield Trust
• Hinchley Charitable Trust
• THE BISHOP RADFORD TRUST
• Gospel Partners Trust
• John James Charitable Trust
• THE GIBBS CHARITABLE TRUSTS

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Greyfriars Missionary Trust (270369)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/270369

Accessed: January 2026

1. Greyfriars Church - Global Mission webpage

https://greyfriars.org.uk/globalmission/

Accessed: January 2026

1. “A Global Mission Spring 2022 at Greyfriars and New Hope Global Mission” (PDF document)

https://greyfriars.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Greyfriars-GlobalMission-2022-final-1.pdf

Accessed: January 2026

1. NPFunds Directory - Greyfriars Missionary Trust profile

https://npfunds.com/directory/greyfriars-missionary-trust-2/

Accessed: January 2026

1. NGO Explorer - Charity 270369

https://ngoexplorer.org/charity/270369

Accessed: January 2026