Lord Crewe's Charity

Charity Number: 1155101

Annual Expenditure: £1.4M
Geographic Focus: Durham, Oxfordshire, Newcastle Upon Tyne City, Northumberland

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1.4 million (2022)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified
  • Grant Range: Varies by program (small community grants to multi-year programs)
  • Geographic Focus: Durham and Newcastle dioceses; Blanchland and Seahouses (Northumberland)

Contact Details

Website: www.lordcrewescharity.org.uk

Email: michael.orde@lordcrewescharity.co.uk

Phone: 01388 604515

Clerk: Michael Orde (appointed March 2022)

Overview

Lord Crewe's Charity was established in 1721 upon the death of Nathaniel, Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham, who bequeathed his estates to create a lasting charitable foundation. With estates valued at approximately £42 million generating £1.3 million annual income, the charity distributed over £1.4 million in grants in 2022. The charity operates under the guiding principles of “Christian stewardship and responsible benevolence,” focusing on three core areas: supporting necessitous Church of England clergy in the Durham and Newcastle dioceses, funding educational initiatives primarily at Lincoln College Oxford, and providing community support in areas where the charity owns land, particularly around Blanchland and Seahouses in Northumberland. In 2022, the charity published its first-ever Impact Report, marking 301 years of charitable giving with enhanced focus on demonstrating positive impact and modernizing its approach to meet contemporary needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Clergy Support (60% of total grant giving, £4.5 million over last 10 years)

  • Educational Support Grants: Support for clergy children's education (school and first degree) - Application deadlines: 31 August, 31 December, or 30 April each academic year
  • Family Grant: Financial support for birth/adoption
  • Resettlement Grant: Assistance for clergy retiring from diocesan housing - automatically processed when diocese notifies charity
  • Multi-year diocesan programs: Counseling, ministerial development, wellbeing initiatives
  • Direct hardship grants and fuel cost assistance

Educational Support (£2.5 million over last 10 years)

  • Lincoln College Oxford: Junior Research Fellow in Music, undergraduate and postgraduate bursaries, access work
  • Theological and rare books libraries (Sharp Libraries at Durham Cathedral and Church House, North Shields)
  • School support: £175,665 provided to diocesan schools for IT equipment during pandemic
  • Specialized educational projects (e.g., Vulnerable Learners Lead positions)

Community Support (£423,000+ over last 10 years)

  • Small grants to local non-profit organizations in Blanchland and Seahouses
  • Tercentenary projects: £100,000+ allocated to community groups around Seahouses and Blanchland
  • Diocesan poverty relief and mental health initiatives
  • Youth projects and services
  • Applications available online via charity website

Priority Areas

  • Supporting necessitous (financially challenged) Church of England clergy
  • Clergy wellbeing, professional development, and family support
  • Educational advancement, particularly theological education
  • Poverty relief and sickness support in communities where charity owns land
  • Youth support and engagement
  • Mental health services and debt advice programs
  • Community hubs and Places of Welcome networks

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside Durham and Newcastle dioceses (for clergy support)
  • Community projects outside Blanchland and Seahouses areas (for community grants)
  • Non-Anglican clergy (charity specifically supports Church of England clergy)
  • Projects unrelated to the founder's 1721 will provisions
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (8 members, unpaid):

  • Paul Chandler
  • Simon Riddell
  • The Venerable Dr Catherine Sourbut Groves
  • Francesca Trevelyan
  • William Watson-Armstrong
  • Robert Hunter
  • Nigel Clifford
  • The Venerable Libby Wilkinson

Staff:

  • Michael Orde, Clerk (appointed March 2022) - Responsible for charity administration and advising trustees on governance

Board Structure: Trustees meet 4 times annually, with a Property sub-Committee also meeting 4 times per year.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Applications: The charity has digitalized its application process, with online forms now available for:

  • Educational Support Grants (three deadlines annually)
  • Family Grants
  • Resettlement Grants

Application Method: Visit www.lordcrewescharity.org.uk to access application forms and guidance.

Clergy Applications: Eligible clergy (licensed in Durham/Newcastle dioceses, retired clergy who previously served in these dioceses, or widows/widowers of qualifying clergy) can “Register interest” or “Apply now” via the website.

Community Grants: Focus on non-profit organizations in Blanchland and Seahouses areas where the charity owns land.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. The Board meets quarterly, suggesting decisions are made periodically throughout the year. Educational grants have specific deadlines (31 Aug, 31 Dec, 30 Apr), indicating a cyclical review process.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Contact the charity directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment:

  • The charity seeks to “understand the needs of beneficiaries in a modern context” and “optimize the impact of grant funding”
  • Projects must align with the founder's 1721 vision while addressing contemporary needs
  • Strong preference for projects demonstrating clear impact on clergy wellbeing, educational advancement, or community poverty relief

Recent Funded Projects (demonstrating funding priorities):

  • Jarrow Debt Assistance Project: Free debt advice with pastoral support and mental health resources
  • West Durham Mental Health Nursing: Integrated mental health support services
  • Youth hubs in Byker and mobile youth services using converted double-decker bus
  • Beach accessibility improvements, play park rebuilding, tennis court restoration in Seahouses/Blanchland
  • Vulnerable Learners Lead in Hartlepool schools
  • Lincoln College renovations including accessible provisions

Language and Approach:

  • The charity values “Christian stewardship and responsible benevolence”
  • Emphasis on supporting “necessitous clergy” - use language reflecting genuine financial need
  • Focus on “impact” - the 2022 Impact Report signals a shift toward outcomes-focused grantmaking
  • Community grants enable “small groups to remain active and to continue addressing the needs of the vulnerable in society”

Digital Engagement: The charity has invested in digital transformation, making applications more accessible. Online applications show significantly increased uptake, suggesting the charity values accessibility and ease of engagement.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Historical Fidelity with Modern Relevance: Applications should honor the 300-year tradition while demonstrating how projects address contemporary needs in clergy support, education, or community development.
  • Geographic Specificity Matters: For clergy grants, ensure applicants are in Durham/Newcastle dioceses; for community grants, focus exclusively on Blanchland and Seahouses areas.
  • Impact is Increasingly Important: The 2022 Impact Report signals a shift toward evidence-based grantmaking - clearly articulate expected outcomes and measurement approaches.
  • Clergy Support is Core Mission: With 60% of grants supporting clergy, this remains the charity's primary focus - clergy-related applications receive substantial consideration.
  • Use the Online Portal: The charity has invested significantly in digital applications - utilize the online system rather than paper-based approaches.
  • Align with Diocesan Priorities: For larger grants, partnership with Durham or Newcastle dioceses strengthens applications, as evidenced by multi-year diocesan programs.
  • Small Grants Enable Big Impact: Community grants often support small organizations to “remain active” - don't be deterred by modest organizational size if impact is clear.

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