John Laing Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 236852

Annual Expenditure: £2.9M
Geographic Focus: Australia, Netherlands, South Africa, United States, Throughout England And Wales

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2,907,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only applications)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £25,000 (employee schemes and small grants); £15,000 - £25,000 (major grants)
  • Geographic Focus: UK and international (particularly where John Laing operates)

Contact Details

Website: www.johnlaingcharitabletrust.com

Email: helen.parker@jlct.org.uk

Phone: 0203 836 7930

Address: 33 Bunns Lane, London, NW7 2DX

Note: The Trust operates a proactive grant-making approach and only considers invited applications. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Overview

The John Laing Charitable Trust was established in 1962 by Sir John Laing to support current and former employees of the John Laing Group and to improve the lives of people in need. With total income of £2.5 million and annual charitable expenditure of approximately £2.9 million (2024), the Trust operates with a dual mission: caring for the welfare of existing and former John Laing employees, and working with others in the community to address social challenges. The Trust takes a proactive, values-led approach to grant-making, seeking out organisations that align with their strategic priorities through active research, collaboration, and networks. They make multi-year grants to select organisations and collaborate with local Community Foundations to distribute smaller grants. The Trust operates nationally and internationally, with particular focus on communities where John Laing operates or has operated.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Grants Programme: Multi-year grants typically ranging from £15,000 to £25,000 annually

  • Invitation-only applications
  • Multi-year commitments (often 3-year partnerships)
  • Recent examples: STARS Foundation (£22,000/year for 3 years), Cruz Roja Colombiana (£16,000), Alder Hey Children's Charity (£16,000), Clontarf Foundation (£24,738)

JLG Partnership Grants: For charities nominated or supported by current/former John Laing Group employees

  • Make a Difference Scheme: Up to £1,000 for charities where staff or immediate family volunteer regularly
  • Matched Fundraising Scheme: Up to £1,500 matching funds raised by staff or immediate family

Community Foundation Grants: Small grants distributed through partner Community Foundations

  • Named funds established in four Community Foundations
  • Examples include Community Foundation for Lancashire

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on four strategic themes:

  1. Homelessness - “Safe homes for all”: Supporting organisations working to end the cycle of homelessness
  2. Community - “Supporting People in Need”: Addressing financial hardship and social isolation
  3. Young People - “Building Futures”: Empowering disadvantaged young people aged 4-18
  4. Skills & Education - “Inspiring Learning”: Improving access to education and employability skills

The Trust emphasizes equity, inclusion, and environmental responsibility in all funding decisions, aligned with Sir John Laing's values. They particularly support local, community-based services.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust's proactive approach means they:

  • Do not accept unsolicited applications from organisations without existing connections
  • Focus on organisations in communities where John Laing operates or has historical connections
  • Prioritize organisations aligned with their four strategic themes
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Tim Foster (Chair) - Retired senior business lawyer and Cambridge law graduate who joined the Board in 2018. On becoming Chair in 2021, he described it as “an honour and a privilege.”

Christopher Laing OBE (Vice Chair) - Joined John Laing plc in 1971, former Environmental Director and past President of The Chartered Institute of Building. Established the Christopher Laing Foundation.

Chris Waples - Trustee since 2007, former Executive Director at John Laing Group with global infrastructure project management experience.

Alex Laing Gregory - Great-granddaughter of Sir John Laing, trustee since 2016, involved with John Laing retirement clubs.

Lynn Krige - Experienced finance professional and former CFO at City & County Healthcare Group, served on JLCT Board for over a decade.

Stewart Laing - Trustee since 2016, Vice President of John Laing Retirement Clubs, works with sports and youth charities.

Pam Orchard - Appointed in 2024, brings 30 years of voluntary sector experience as current CEO of The Connection at St Martins.

Management Team

Helen Parker (Director) - Leading the Trust since April 2021, worked in the not-for-profit sector since 2002 with extensive experience in grant-making and philanthropy.

Wai Chan (Grants Manager) - Joined in 2022 with over 15 years' experience in the not-for-profit sector, previously worked at disability equality charities and foundations.

Leadership Quote: On supporting the STARS Foundation in Australia, Helen Parker stated: “JLCT is delighted to support STARS Foundation to make a clear and positive difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Proactive Grant-Making Only: The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. The Trustees have endorsed a proactive grant-making approach where they identify and invite organisations to apply.

How the Trust Finds Partners:

  • Active research
  • Collaboration with sector networks
  • Recommendations through Community Foundations
  • Connections through current/former John Laing Group employees

For Employee-Related Grants: Current and former John Laing employees can nominate charities through:

  • Make a Difference Scheme (for charities where they volunteer)
  • Matched Fundraising Scheme (for fundraising efforts)

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The Trust makes multi-year commitments to selected partners, suggesting a thorough due diligence process.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only approach, organisations approached by the Trust have higher success rates than typical open grant programmes.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the invitation-only model. However, the Trust favors multi-year partnerships, as evidenced by their three-year commitment to organisations like the STARS Foundation.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors

  1. Strategic Alignment: Organisations must clearly align with one or more of the four strategic themes (homelessness, community, young people, skills & education)
  1. Geographic Connection: Strong preference for communities where John Laing operates or has operated, including UK locations and international sites
  1. Values Alignment: The Trust prioritizes organisations demonstrating commitment to equity, inclusion, and environmental responsibility - values held by Sir John Laing
  1. Effective Work Streams: The Trust seeks organisations with proven, effective programmes that address the problems they have identified
  1. Community-Based Services: Local, grassroots organisations appear to be favored alongside larger established charities

Examples of Funded Projects

  • STARS Foundation (Australia): Three-year grant of £22,000/year for holistic mentoring support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women. The program achieved an 84% success rate with 2022 graduates remaining in employment, training, or tertiary education.
  • Clontarf Foundation (Australia): £24,738 for engaging male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in education and employment
  • Alder Hey Children's Charity (Liverpool): £16,000 for Youth Voice project helping children develop transferable skills and life experiences
  • St Francis House (Boston): Multi-year support since 2020 for homelessness services, including critical support during Covid-19
  • Cub Scout pack (Surrey): Make a Difference Scheme grant enabled equipment replacement and expansion of places, addressing a waiting list of over 200 children

Language and Terminology

The Trust uses inclusive, impact-focused language:

  • “Making a clear and positive difference”
  • “Empowering disadvantaged young people”
  • “Safe homes for all”
  • “Building Futures”
  • “Supporting People in Need”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is not a traditional application route: You cannot apply directly unless invited. Focus instead on building visibility in communities where John Laing operates and within networks the Trust uses for research.
  • Employee connections are the accessible route: If you have volunteers or donors who work (or worked) for John Laing Group, you can access funding through the Make a Difference or Matched Fundraising schemes.
  • Community Foundations offer an alternative path: The Trust works with four Community Foundations (including Community Foundation for Lancashire) to distribute small grants. Apply through these partners if your work aligns with JLCT priorities.
  • Multi-year funding is standard: The Trust makes long-term commitments (typically three years), suggesting they value sustained impact over short-term projects. Demonstrate how your work will create lasting change.
  • International work is supported: Don't assume UK-only focus. The Trust funds work in Australia, Colombia, and other locations where John Laing has operated.
  • Evidence of impact is crucial: The 84% success rate cited for the STARS Foundation demonstrates the Trust values measurable outcomes. Be prepared to demonstrate your effectiveness.
  • Values matter as much as outcomes: Commitment to equity, inclusion, and environmental responsibility are explicitly stated priorities. Ensure these values are embedded in your work, not just rhetoric.

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