Li Tim Oi Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £150,694 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: International (Majority World/Global South - Anglican Communion provinces in Africa, Brazil, Fiji, India, Pakistan, and others)
• Total Beneficiaries: Over 750 women from 124 dioceses in 14 provinces since 1994

Contact Details

Website: http://www.ltof.org.uk

Email: admin@ltof.org.uk

Phone: 01323 819313

Executive Secretary: Stephanie Lewis-Grey (admin@LTOF.org.uk)

Overview

The Li Tim Oi Foundation was launched in 1994 at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London, on the Golden Jubilee of Florence Li Tim-Oi's ordination as the first woman priest in the Anglican Communion. Founded by the Revd Canon Christopher Hall (son of Bishop R.O. Hall who ordained Florence Li Tim-Oi), the Foundation honors her legacy by empowering Christian women in the Majority World as agents of change within their own cultures and societies. With total expenditure of £150,694 (2024) and income of £27,532 (2024), the Foundation depends entirely on donor generosity. Since its inception, the Foundation has supported over 750 women from 124 dioceses across 14 provinces of the Anglican Communion, resulting in approximately 400 ordinations as Anglican priests and numerous other leadership positions. The Foundation's mission statement envisions “a world where every woman in the Anglican Communion, regardless of her location or circumstance, has the resources, support, and opportunities to thrive and to create positive change in her community in the service of Christ.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation provides educational grants through a single program with the following characteristics:

• Educational Grants for Initial Vocational Training: Primary focus on women training for ordination and lay ministry roles
• Grants paid directly to training institutions
• Annual repeat grants made until course completion, subject to satisfactory progress reports
• In exceptional cases, grants may support higher academic qualifications
• Application deadline: February 1st (applications received after this date considered later in the year)
• Application method: Online application form at ltof.org.uk/grants/

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds training for women in the Majority World for:

• Ordination and ministry: Training for priesthood and other ordained positions within the Anglican Communion
• Lay ministry roles: Including evangelists, Church Army Sisters, school chaplains
• Community development: Adult literacy advisors, community workers, social workers
• Education: Teachers, Sunday School teachers, theological educators
• Healthcare: Trainers of midwives, health workers
• Leadership positions: Youth leaders, Diocesan Secretaries, Diocesan President of Mothers' Union, Legal Advisers, Finance Directors
• Specialized roles: Coordinators of pastoral programs, bishops' secretaries, counselors

Countries previously funded include Brazil, Burundi, Fiji, Kenya, Lesotho, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation's focus implies exclusions:

• Men (grants are exclusively for women)
• Women outside the Anglican Communion or churches in communion with it
• Women from countries outside the Majority World/Global South
• Training not related to Christian ministry or community service roles
• Women who cannot secure bishop's commitment for post-training employment

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation has a hierarchical governance structure consisting of:

Life President: The Revd Canon Christopher Hall (founder and secretary of the Foundation, son of Bishop R.O. Hall)

Trustees: 5 trustees total (names not publicly disclosed). No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Executive Team: Includes Executive Secretary Stephanie Lewis-Grey (admin@LTOF.org.uk)

Volunteers: 10 volunteers support the Foundation's work

Patrons: The Foundation has patrons in advisory/honorary roles (names not publicly disclosed)

The Foundation operates under a trust deed dated 08 October 1993, as amended on 22 June 2020. It is registered with the UK Charity Commission under number 1027837.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation accepts applications through an online application form available at ltof.org.uk/grants/.

Application Process:

1. Read the grant criteria carefully before applying
2. Complete the online application form
3. Upon submission, applicants receive an email copy of their completed form
4. The form is automatically sent to both the applicant's referee and the Foundation
5. For questions or difficulties with the application, contact Executive Secretary Stephanie Lewis-Grey at admin@LTOF.org.uk

Key Requirements:

• Must be a woman who is a member of an Anglican Church or a church in communion with the worldwide Anglican Church
• Must be from the Majority World (also called the Two-Thirds World)
• Must provide a referee
• Must have the commitment of the bishop of the diocese where the woman will be employed after training

Application Deadline: Applications should be completed by February 1st. Applications received after 1st February will be considered later in the year.

Decision Timeline

The Foundation has not publicly disclosed typical timeframes from submission to decision. Applicants should contact admin@LTOF.org.uk for current processing times.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation states it aims to “give grants to most of the women who qualify,” suggesting a relatively supportive approach to qualified applicants. The Foundation notes it depends on donor generosity to fund all qualifying applicants.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation's reapplication policy is not publicly disclosed. However, the structure of annual repeat grants for continuing students suggests a positive approach to ongoing support for successful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented priorities and processes, successful applications likely demonstrate:

Essential Requirements:

• Anglican affiliation: Clear membership in an Anglican Church or church in communion with the Anglican Communion
• Diocesan support: Strong commitment from the bishop of the diocese where the applicant will work after training - this appears to be a critical factor
• Geographic eligibility: Being from the Majority World/Global South
• Training focus: Clear plan for initial vocational training (rather than higher academic qualifications, unless exceptional circumstances apply)

Strategic Positioning:

• Post-training employment plan: The Foundation asks for bishop's commitment about where the woman will work after training, suggesting applications should demonstrate a clear path to employment in Christian ministry or community service
• Direct institutional payment: The Foundation pays grants directly to training institutions “so that recipients are not tempted to drop out of the course if they run short of funds” - applicants should be enrolled or have clear plans to enroll in recognized training institutions
• Mission alignment: The Foundation seeks women who will be “agents of change within their own cultures and societies” - applications should articulate how the training will enable transformative impact in their communities

Application Quality:

• Read criteria carefully: The Foundation specifically advises applicants to “read the new criteria for grants carefully before applying”
• Complete referee information: The automatic sending of forms to referees suggests this is a critical component
• Early submission: Meeting the February 1st deadline appears important for timely consideration

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This foundation exclusively serves women in the Majority World within the Anglican Communion - ensure applicants meet all three criteria (woman, Global South location, Anglican affiliation) before applying
• Bishop's commitment is essential - secure diocesan support and a clear post-training employment plan before applying, as this appears to be a non-negotiable requirement
• The Foundation provides ongoing support - successful applicants receive annual repeat grants until course completion, making this a reliable multi-year funding source for qualifying students
• Direct institutional payment model - grants go directly to training institutions rather than individuals, so applicants must be associated with recognized training programs
• February 1st deadline is important - while late applications may be considered, meeting the deadline likely improves chances of timely review
• Contact the Executive Secretary with questions - Stephanie Lewis-Grey at admin@LTOF.org.uk is available to discuss ideas and answer questions before applying
• The Foundation's reach is broad - having supported over 750 women from 124 dioceses across 14 provinces since 1994, the Foundation has an established track record and broad geographic scope within its eligibility criteria

References

• Li Tim Oi Foundation Official Website -
• Li Tim Oi Foundation - What We Do -
• Li Tim Oi Foundation - Who We Are -
• Li Tim Oi Foundation - Donations Page -
• UK Charity Commission Register - Charity 1027837 -
• Li Tim-Oi Foundation - Anglican Church of Canada -
• St Martin-in-the-Fields - Li Tim Oi -
• Christianity Today - Florence Li Tim-Oi: The First Woman Priest in the Anglican Communion -