Incorporated Trustees Of The Number 1 Trust Fund

Charity Number: 275353

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £396,800 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: England (Anglo-Catholic parishes and institutions)
  • Founded: 1909
  • Charity Number: 275353

Contact Details

Website: https://number1trustfund.org.uk

Email: clerk@number1trustfund.org.uk

Phone: 020 7583 7394

Clerk to the Trustees: Mr Nicholas Hills

All correspondence should be addressed to the Clerk.

Overview

The Incorporated Trustees of the Number 1 Trust Fund was founded in 1909 and is governed by a Scheme dated 21 June 2001 (amended 2014). With an annual expenditure of approximately £396,800 (2024), the Trust makes grants to Anglo-Catholic parishes and institutions within the Church of England. The charity's dual objectives are: (1) to further the teaching and practice of the Catholic faith within the Church of England, and (2) to support other charitable purposes connected with the Church of England as defined in the Fidelity Trust Act 1977. The Trust operates with a stable income ranging from £367,900 to £554,200 over recent years and maintains a focused approach to supporting distinctively Catholic traditions where historic priestly and episcopal ministry is maintained.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust makes grants from three types of funds:

  • Unrestricted Funds: Available for general applications meeting the Trust's criteria
  • Restricted Funds: For specific purposes as designated by donors
  • Designated Funds: For particular uses as determined by trustees

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis via email submission to the Clerk.

Priority Areas

The Trust has identified four equal priority areas for grant making:

  • Pastoral assistant placements
  • Ministry training and development
  • Parish missions
  • Programmes of teaching and catechesis
  • Work with children and young people
  • Pilgrimage programmes
  • Provision of liturgical resources (including music)
  • Time-limited staff support for liturgical resources
  • Limited to posts deemed strategically important
  • Generally time-limited (typically three years)
  • Consulted with Council of Bishops for major stipend applications
  • Repair and restoration of churches
  • Parish halls
  • Church offices
  • Clergy housing

What They Don't Fund

The Trust explicitly excludes:

  • Grants to individuals
  • Grants to support works to organs
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Chairman: The Rt Revd Jonathan Baker (term to 2027)

  • Bishop of Fulham in the Church of England
  • Provides alternative episcopal oversight for Anglo-Catholic parishes
  • Former Bishop of Ebbsfleet (2011-2013)
  • Former Chairman of Forward in Faith (2010-2014)
  • Chair of the Church of England Council of Christian Unity
  • National lead Bishop for relations with Orthodox Churches

Clerk: Mr Nicholas Hills

Treasurer: John Hanks

Additional Trustees:

  • The Revd Oswin Gartside CR
  • The Revd Dr George Westhaver
  • The Revd Prebendary Graeme Rowlands
  • The Revd Prebendary David Houlding
  • The Revd Christopher Johnson
  • Dr Colin Podmore MBE
  • Dr Brian Hanson CBE

Trustees are nominated by various Anglo-Catholic organizations and institutions, including Forward in Faith, Community of the Resurrection, and Pusey House, ensuring representation from across the tradition.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are welcome from parishes and institutions and should be submitted via email to the Clerk at clerk@number1trustfund.org.uk.

Required Documents:

  1. Completed Application Form (available on website)
  2. Audited annual accounts for last financial year
  3. Last annual report
  4. Current year budget
  5. Any additional supporting information

Important: Incomplete applications missing any required documents will not be considered by the Trustees.

Applicants must demonstrate how their project will “further catholic life and practice in the Church of England” as defined in the Fidelity Trust Act 1977.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applications are reviewed by Trustees based on established criteria and trustees maintain “absolute discretion” in grant-making decisions.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Contact the Clerk for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's published criteria, strong applications demonstrate:

Strategic Positioning

  • Distinctively Catholic tradition: Priority given to parishes and organisations where “the historic priestly and episcopal ministry as received by the Church of England is maintained”
  • Part of comprehensive fundraising strategy: The Trustees look favourably on applications where “approaches have been made to several grant-making bodies as part of a thought-through fundraising plan”
  • Demonstrable need: Clear evidence of need for the project or position
  • Clearly defined outcomes: Projects must have measurable, specific outcomes

Project Characteristics

  • Essential to proceed: Preference for projects that cannot proceed without the grant
  • Strengthens church mission: Projects should demonstrably advance the mission of the parish or institution
  • Strategic importance: For stipend applications, posts must be of demonstrable strategic importance (typically consulted with Council of Bishops)

Catholic Practice Alignment

Applications must align with the Church of England as defined in:

  • The Fidelity Trust Act 1977
  • The statutes of the Woodard Corporation dated 31 August 1974

This definition emphasizes continuity with historic Catholic faith and practice within Anglicanism.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Demonstrate your Catholic credentials: Clearly articulate your parish or institution's commitment to distinctively Catholic tradition and the historic threefold ministry
  • Show it's part of a bigger plan: Frame your application within a comprehensive fundraising strategy showing approaches to multiple funders
  • Be specific about outcomes: Vague aspirations won't succeed—provide measurable, concrete outcomes
  • Prove you can't proceed without them: Evidence that the grant is essential, not just helpful
  • Submit complete applications: Missing documents mean automatic rejection—ensure all required materials are included
  • Time-limited for stipends: If applying for stipend support, expect grants to be typically limited to three years maximum
  • Consult before major stipend requests: For strategically important posts, the Trustees consult with the Council of Bishops, so be prepared for additional scrutiny

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