John Beane's Charity Cio

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £378,625
• Annual Giving: £60,534 to individuals (298 grants)
• Geographic Focus: Administrative County of Surrey
• Grant Range: Crisis grants to individuals; £100-£20,000 for churches
• Founded: 1772
• Charity Number: 1161716

Contact Details

Website: www.johnbeane.org.uk

Email: info@johnbeane.org.uk

Phone: 5603870633

Address: Mulberry Cottage, Goose Rye Road, Worplesdon, Guildford, Surrey GU3 3RJ

Overview

John Beane's Charity CIO was founded in 1772 following the death of Reverend John Beane, who left in trust two farms at Tunbridge and £800 in cash. The charity incorporates the original John Beane Charity (no. 200260) and was registered as a CIO in 2015. With an annual income of approximately £378,625, the charity has two primary purposes: to augment stipends of United Reformed Church (URC) ministers in Surrey and to help those in need within the administrative County of Surrey. The charity operates through a board of six trustees—three representing Dorking URC and three representing Guildford URC—who meet twice annually to review applications and make grant decisions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Crisis Grants to Individuals

• Support for families unable to afford essential items such as white goods, carpeting for children's bedrooms, school uniforms, and other necessities
• Applications must be sponsored by a third-party organization (see application requirements)
• Recent data shows 298 individuals received grants totaling £60,534 in one year

URC Church Capital Projects

• Up to 10% of final project cost or £20,000 (whichever is lower)
• For capital improvement and building projects

URC Church Employment Support

• Grants to assist with employment costs of family and youth workers employed by churches
• Ongoing support for ministry positions

Holiday Programs

• £100 per day for churches organizing Holiday at Home for adults or Holiday Clubs for children
• Up to 10 days per year per church
• Must have average attendance of 20 people

Street Safety Volunteers

• £10 per year to volunteers providing safety services in towns during evenings
• Also available to employees of charities providing similar services

URC Minister Stipends

• One-third of income allocated to ministers of protestant dissenter congregations in Guildford
• One-third allocated to ministers in Dorking
• Direct support for clergy serving these communities

Priority Areas

• Relief of poverty and financial hardship in Surrey
• Support for URC churches and their community activities
• Youth and family work through churches
• Support for non-conformist ministers in Dorking and Guildford
• Community safety initiatives

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations or individuals outside the Administrative County of Surrey
• Churches other than URC congregations (for church-specific grants)
• General operating costs not related to family/youth workers

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by six trustees: three appointed by Dorking United Reformed Church and three appointed by Guildford United Reformed Church. This balanced representation ensures fair consideration of applications from across the charity's geographic area. The trustees meet twice annually to review applications and make funding decisions.

The trustees maintain a strategic reserve equal to approximately one year's expenditure to ensure sufficient funds are always available for distribution. Investment management is delegated to professional advisors, allowing the trustees to focus on grant-making decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Crisis Grants to Individuals:

• Applications cannot be made directly by individuals
• Must be sponsored by one of the following: another charity, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), doctor, Surrey County Council, local council, Sure Start Centre, school, or other recognized organization
• Submit detailed PDF application by post to the charity's address
• The sponsoring organization should provide context about the applicant's circumstances and specific needs

For URC Churches:

• Submit detailed project information by post to the charity's address
• Include project description, timeline, total costs, and other funding sources
• For employment support, provide job descriptions and rationale for the position
• For holiday programs, include program details and expected attendance

Decision Timeline

Trustees meet twice annually to review applications, so timing of submission relative to these meetings will affect decision speed. Specific meeting dates are not publicly advertised, so early submission is advisable.

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions on reapplication were found in the research. Churches and sponsoring organizations may submit multiple applications for different needs.

Application Success Factors

For Individual Crisis Grants:

• Strong sponsorship from recognized organization is essential—applications must come through CAB, doctors, councils, schools, or established charities
• Clearly demonstrate the individual's residence within the Administrative County of Surrey
• Focus on essential needs that will make immediate, tangible difference to family wellbeing
• Specify exact items needed and costs rather than general financial support
• Show how the grant addresses a crisis or prevents deterioration of living conditions

For URC Church Applications:

• Demonstrate how the project serves the community beyond the congregation
• For capital projects, show comprehensive fundraising plan with the charity's grant as part of broader funding mix
• For youth/family worker positions, emphasize community impact and reach to families in need
• Holiday programs must be designed to attract at least 20 attendees per day
• Connect the request to the charity's founding mission of supporting non-conformist churches and relieving poverty

Geographic Focus:

• Residence or operation within the Administrative County of Surrey is non-negotiable
• Applications with Guildford or Dorking connections may align well with the charity's historical roots

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Intermediary required: Individual applicants must work through CAB, doctors, councils, schools, or charities—direct applications are not accepted
• Surrey-only: Geographic restriction to Administrative County of Surrey is absolute and reflects the charity's founding deed from 1772
• URC focus for churches: Church-specific grants are exclusively for United Reformed Church congregations, though community benefit should extend beyond members
• Modest but meaningful: Individual crisis grants address specific, immediate needs rather than ongoing support
• Capital grant cap: Church building projects should seek £20,000 maximum and present this as part of larger fundraising strategy
• Historical mission guides modern practice: The charity remains faithful to Reverend John Beane's 1772 vision of supporting non-conformist ministers and relieving poverty in Dorking and Guildford areas
• Two-meeting structure: Plan application timing around biannual trustee meetings to avoid unnecessary delays

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Guildford Poyle Charities
• Frimley Fuel Allotments CIO
• The Tantum Trust
• The Hussey Trust
• Community Foundation for Surrey
• ROSLYN FLORENCE HARDING
• Farnham Lions Club (CIO)
• Guildford Lions Club (CIO)
• Richmond Foundation
• The Shanly Foundation

References

1. John Beane's Charity official website - www.johnbeane.org.uk
2. Charity Commission Register of Charities - John Beane's Charity CIO (1161716) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1161716&subid=0
3. OpenCharities profile - John Beane's Charity CIO - http://opencharities.org/charities/1161716
4. Charity Choice directory entry - https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/john-beanes-charity-cio-246798
5. Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31 March 2017 - via Charity Commission register