Hymns Ancient And Modern Limited

Charity Number: 270060

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly specified (dozens of grants annually)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified
  • Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (exceptional circumstances up to £10,000)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide
  • Total Income (2024): £7,169,000
  • Total Expenditure (2024): £7,585,000

Contact Details

Main Contact: Sue Stapleford (Finance Director)

  • Email: grants@hymnsam.co.uk / sue.stapleford@hymnsam.co.uk
  • Phone: 01603 785908
  • Website: www.hymnsam.co.uk
  • Address: 13a Hellesdon Park Road, Norwich NR6 5DR, UK
  • Charity Number: 270060
  • Company Number: 01220696

Overview

Hymns Ancient and Modern Limited is a UK registered charity founded in connection with the publication of the famous 1861 hymnal. The charity encompasses book publishing (including hymnals), periodicals, bookselling, publishing services, book distribution, events, and grant-giving. With total funds of £6.6 million and employing 62 staff, the organization generates income through its commercial activities including Church Times publication and religious publishing through Canterbury Press and SCM Press imprints. “Grant-giving is central to all that we do as a Christian charity,” and surplus funds from business operations are donated via grants each year to dozens of organisations around the UK, including schools, churches, colleges and charities. The charity focuses on promoting religious advancement and supporting organizations connected to the Church of England or churches in communion with it.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Institutional Grants: Up to £5,000 (exceptional circumstances up to £10,000)

  • Rolling application basis
  • Submitted via email with completed application form and two referee forms
  • Requires latest financial statement and project budget

Hymn Book Grants: 25-30% discount on book purchases

  • Minimum order of 20 copies
  • Grant given as free books (e.g., order 100, pay for 70-75)
  • For parishes, schools, chapels purchasing Hymns Ancient & Modern and Canterbury Press titles

Priority Areas

The charity supports organizations with aims aligned with Church of England principles:

  • Religious advancement - promoting Christian faith and practice
  • Church-related projects - supporting Church of England and churches in communion
  • Educational initiatives - supporting schools and educational charities
  • Charitable institutions - societies and charities aligned with Christian principles
  • Projects with wider benefit - initiatives demonstrating “real value” to substantial groups

What They Don't Fund

Explicitly excluded from funding:

  • Salaries - staff costs not supported
  • Fabric restoration projects - building repairs/renovations
  • Accommodation costs - housing expenses
  • Travel expenses - transportation costs
  • Individual applicants - only registered charities eligible
  • Large appeals - organizations with access to substantial charitable funds
  • Big capital campaigns - preference for smaller, focused projects
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Governance and Leadership

Council of Management (Trustees)

  • The Very Reverend Dr Simon Jones - Chairman
  • Christopher Adams
  • Ben Andradi
  • Helen Couldrey
  • The Very Reverend Jane Hedges
  • The Reverend Canon Aidan Platten
  • Mark Knight

Executive Leadership

  • Dominic Vaughan MBA - Group Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary
  • Sue Stapleford Pink FCMA - Group Finance Director

The organization describes itself as "a modern, forward looking organisation still actively pursuing 'the advancement of promotion of religion'" beyond its historical hymnal publishing roots.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Follow-up requirement - Submit project report within 12 months of any award

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. The charity operates on a rolling application basis rather than fixed deadlines.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. The charity states it makes grants to “dozens of organisations around the UK” annually.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated on the charity's website or in publicly available guidance.

Application Success Factors

Key Requirements for Strong Applications

Demonstrate Real Value and Wider Benefit:

The charity emphasizes that projects must “be of real value and will make a difference to a substantial group of people and clearly provide a wider benefit.” Applications should articulate impact beyond immediate beneficiaries.

Show Project Capability:

Trustees will only consider applications where “the applicant is capable of carrying out the project.” Include evidence of organizational capacity, relevant experience, and project management capabilities.

Avoid Large Organizations:

The charity explicitly states it does “not usually contribute to big appeals or applicants who have access to large charitable funds.” Smaller organizations with limited alternative funding sources are preferred.

Church of England Connection:

Strong preference for organizations “connected to the Church of England or churches in communion with it” and projects aligned with Anglican principles and practices.

Complete Documentation:

Applications require full financial transparency including:

  • Latest financial statement
  • Detailed project budget showing all costs
  • Disclosure of all other funding applications and sources
  • Two independent referee recommendations

Follow-Through Commitment:

Successful applicants must provide a report on fund usage within 12 months, demonstrating accountability and project completion.

Language and Approach

The charity uses language emphasizing:

  • “Real value” and “wider benefit”
  • “Substantial group of people”
  • “Capability” and feasibility
  • Connection to “advancement of religion”
  • Alignment with “Church of England principles”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Keep requests modest - Maximum £5,000 available; exceptional circumstances required for higher amounts up to £10,000
  • Emphasize Church of England connection - Strong preference for Anglican organizations and churches in communion
  • Demonstrate wider impact - Show how project benefits substantial groups beyond immediate participants
  • Avoid excluded categories - Do not request funding for salaries, building repairs, travel, or accommodation
  • Highlight organizational capability - Provide evidence you can successfully deliver the proposed project
  • Small is beautiful - Charity explicitly prefers smaller organizations without access to large funds
  • Complete documentation matters - Ensure all required forms, finances, and referee recommendations are submitted
  • Plan for reporting - Be prepared to provide detailed project report within 12 months of any award

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