Lady Elizabeth Hastings' Estate Charity

Charity Number: 224098

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £370,000+ (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 4-8 weeks (quarterly meetings)
  • Grant Range: £20 - £12,000
  • Geographic Focus: Parishes north and east of Leeds (educational); Yorkshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Northumberland (ecclesiastical)

Contact Details

Address: c/o Carter Jonas, 82 Micklegate, York, YO1 6LF

Phone: 01904 558212

Email: leh.clerk@carterjonas.co.uk

Website: www.ladyelizabethhastingscharities.co.uk

Clerk to the Charities: Andrew Fallows MRICS

Pre-application: Complete the online eligibility quiz on the charity's website before applying

Overview

Lady Elizabeth Hastings' Estate Charity was founded before Lady Elizabeth's death in 1739 and has been enriching lives for over 280 years. Operating under a modern governance scheme from 2012, the charity manages a property and investment portfolio with a total income of £656,490 (year ending June 2024) to fund educational and ecclesiastical grants. The Estate Charity acts as the parent organization, dividing income equally between two subsidiary charities: the Educational Foundation (supporting individuals, schools, and community groups around Leeds) and the Non-Educational Charity (supporting Church of England clergy and churches). Over the past decade, the charities have awarded more than £2.2 million in grants and made over 250 grants to local schools, community groups, and churches. The charity distributed £370,410 in institutional grants in 2024 and prides itself on providing support “where no other financial assistance has been available.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Educational Grants to Individuals (£20 - £12,000)

  • For residents in the area of benefit or alumni of Lady Elizabeth Hastings Schools
  • Supports school uniforms, outings, sports equipment, musical instruments, apprentice tools
  • College/university students may use grants flexibly; can reapply annually
  • Computer purchases considered only in exceptional cases
  • Application method: Online via eligibility quiz, rolling basis

Educational Grants to Schools and Community Groups (£20 - £12,000)

  • For organizations principally established for educational purposes (including social and physical education)
  • Scouts, guides, and sports clubs qualify
  • Must be located in the area of benefit
  • Unregistered organizations can apply
  • Application method: Online via eligibility quiz, rolling basis

Hardship Grants (£20 - £12,000)

  • Relieves need, hardship, or distress for individuals
  • Highly restricted geographic eligibility (Collingham with Harewood, Ledsham with Fairburn, Thorp Arch only)
  • Application method: Online via eligibility quiz, rolling basis

Ecclesiastical Grants (£20 - £12,000)

  • Support for Church of England clergy and their families
  • Church repair grants (only six specific churches qualify: All Saints Ledsham, All Saints Thorp Arch, St Oswald Collingham, St Mary Howe, St Paul Shadwell, St Wilfrid of Ripon Monk Fryston)
  • Application method: Must be submitted through Archdeacons or Bishops approximately 4 weeks before quarterly meetings

Priority Areas

Educational Support:

  • Primary and secondary school students (uniforms, trips, equipment)
  • College and university students (flexible educational expenses)
  • Apprentices (tools and training costs)
  • Schools and educational institutions
  • Community groups focused on education, social development, or physical education

Ecclesiastical Support:

  • Church of England clergy and families in Yorkshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, and Northumberland
  • Repairs and maintenance for six designated historic churches
  • Religious education and community development

Hardship Relief:

  • Individuals experiencing financial need, hardship, or distress in the three core parishes

What They Don't Fund

  • Applicants outside the defined geographic areas of benefit
  • General computer purchases (except exceptional cases)
  • Projects unrelated to education or Church of England activities
  • Organizations not principally established for educational purposes
  • Churches other than the six specifically named in the charity scheme
  • Denominations other than Church of England (for ecclesiastical grants)
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Governance and Leadership

Trustee Structure: The trustee is Lady Elizabeth Hastings Charities Trustee Limited, a non-charitable company established under the 2012 governance scheme. The company has a board of directors who meet quarterly to oversee operations and award grants.

Key Personnel: Andrew Fallows MRICS serves as Clerk to the Charities, managing day-to-day operations through Carter Jonas in York.

Governance Standards: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all funds are directed toward grant-making activities.

Decision-Making: The charity operates under strict guidelines established in their scheme, which defines eligible areas and purposes. The board “assesses each application on its own merits and makes an appropriate award in the light of available funds.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Initial Assessment: Complete the online eligibility quiz on www.ladyelizabethhastingscharities.co.uk to determine if you meet the qualifying criteria
  2. Application Submission: Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
  3. Deadline: Completed forms must be received by the beginning of the month preceding the quarterly meeting
  4. Ecclesiastical Applications: Must be submitted through Archdeacons or Bishops approximately 4 weeks before meetings

Decision Timeline

Quarterly Meetings: Early March, June, October, and December

Processing Time:

  • Applications reviewed at quarterly meetings (4-8 weeks from submission depending on timing)
  • Grant checks typically posted within three weeks of meetings
  • Total timeline: Approximately 6-11 weeks from submission to payment

Notification Methods: Applicants notified of decisions after quarterly meetings

Success Rates

The charity does not publicly disclose application numbers or success rates. However, with over 250 grants awarded to schools, community groups, and churches over 10 years, and annual grant distribution of approximately £370,000, the charity demonstrates active and consistent grant-making.

Grant Assessment: “The charity assesses each application on its own merits and makes an appropriate award in the light of available funds.” Grants are not means-tested, but applicants must demonstrate financial need under the terms of the charity deed.

Grant Amounts: The charity cannot provide advance guidance on specific award sizes, which vary significantly from £20 to £12,000 depending on the application and available funds.

Reapplication Policy

Students: College and university students may reapply annually for continued support throughout their education.

Special Provisions: Former pupils of Lady Elizabeth Hastings Schools (Thorp Arch, Collingham, or Ledston) remain eligible for educational grants throughout their school, college, and university years, even if they no longer reside in the area of benefit.

General Reapplication: No specific restrictions mentioned for other applicant categories, suggesting reapplication is possible.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Eligibility is Critical: The charity “must comply with the terms of their scheme when considering grants.” Ensure you meet the strict geographic criteria before applying:

  • Educational grants: Bardsey with East Keswick, Collingham with Harewood, Ledsham with Fairburn, Shadwell, Thorp Arch, or Burton Salmon
  • Hardship grants: Only Collingham with Harewood, Ledsham with Fairburn, or Thorp Arch
  • Ecclesiastical grants: Yorkshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, or Northumberland

Demonstrate Financial Need: While not means-tested in the traditional sense, applications must show genuine financial need that aligns with the charity deed's terms. The charity notes it has “often been able to assist where no other financial support has been available.”

Educational Purpose Must Be Clear: For school and community group applications, organizations must be “principally established for education, including social and physical education.” Scouts, guides, and sports clubs qualify under this definition.

Use the Online Quiz: The charity directs all applicants to complete their “easy-to-use online quiz” as the primary application method. This ensures you're applying for the right grant type and meet eligibility criteria.

Timing Matters: Submit applications by the beginning of the month before quarterly meetings (March, June, October, December) to be considered in the next cycle. Missing the deadline means waiting another 3 months.

Be Specific About Educational Use: For individual educational grants, clearly specify how funds will be used (uniforms, trips, equipment, instruments, etc.). Computer purchases require exceptional circumstances to be considered.

Provide Context for Need: Since the charity assesses “each application on its own merits,” provide clear context about why support is needed and how it relates to educational or ecclesiastical purposes.

Alumni Connection Helps: If you're a former pupil of Lady Elizabeth Hastings Schools, emphasize this connection as it provides continued eligibility regardless of current residence.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restrictions are absolute: Verify parish/area eligibility before investing time in an application. Use the online quiz to confirm.
  • Long history of consistent funding: With 280+ years of operation and £2.2 million distributed in the last decade, this is a stable, reliable funder for eligible applicants.
  • Small to medium grants: Most grants range from £20 to £12,000, making this ideal for specific project costs, equipment purchases, or individual support rather than major institutional funding.
  • Quarterly decisions mean planning ahead: With only four meetings per year, time applications strategically and submit by the previous month's beginning to avoid 3-month delays.
  • Educational focus is broad: “Education including social and physical education” encompasses youth organizations, sports clubs, and community groups—not just traditional academic settings.
  • Merit-based assessment with flexibility: The charity evaluates each application individually based on available funds, allowing for responsive grant-making rather than rigid formulas.
  • Alumni advantage: Former pupils of the charity's schools receive extended eligibility—a unique provision worth highlighting if applicable.

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