Marshal Beresford's Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £129,376 (expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not available
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed half-yearly (April and November)
• Grant Range: Not specified
• Geographic Focus: Ireland (Church of Ireland churches and clergy)

Contact Details

• Address: Representative Church Body, Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 CF67, Ireland
• Contact: Ian Walshe, Property Department
• Phone: +353 1 4125 619
• Email: ian.walshe@rcbcoi.org
• Website: www.churchofireland.org
• Charity Number: 272653

Overview

Marshal Beresford's Fund is a UK-registered charity established in 1977 with annual income of approximately £100,922 and expenditure of £129,376. The fund operates as a specialised grant-making trust focused on supporting Church of Ireland churches and clergy in Ireland. Whilst administered by the Representative Church Body (RCB), the fund is under the control of separate trustees, with grant allocations made by the Archbishop of Armagh supported by the RCB Property Department. The charity maintains a clear mission centred on building or repairing churches and chapels, with charitable objects also including relief for poor clergy and maintenance of existing church buildings in Ireland. The fund operates with 4 trustees who receive no remuneration, and no paid staff.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The fund's primary focus is providing grants for the building or repair of Church of Ireland churches and chapels in Ireland. Grants are allocated half-yearly in April and November.

Priority Areas

• Church building and construction projects in Ireland
• Church repair and maintenance works
• Clergy relief (as per charitable objects)

What They Don't Fund

Based on their specific focus, the fund does not support:

• Non-Church of Ireland organisations
• Projects outside Ireland
• Secular community projects
• Parishes that have already received grants from the Church Fabric and Development Fund for the same project

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Governance and Leadership

The fund is governed by 4 trustees who receive no remuneration or payments for their service. Grant allocations are made by the Archbishop of Armagh on behalf of the trustees, supported by the Representative Church Body Property Department. The charity operates without any paid employees and has no trading subsidiaries. Although administered by the RCB, the fund remains under the control of trustees separate to the RCB.

How to Apply to Marshal Beresford's Fund

How to Apply

Application forms are available from the Parish Resources section of the Church of Ireland website or from the Property Department at the Representative Church Body. Completed application forms and supporting documents should be sent to Mr Ian Walshe at the address above.

Application Deadlines

Applications must be submitted by:

• 1st March for consideration in April
• 1st October for consideration in November

Decision Timeline

Grants are allocated half-yearly in April and November following the application deadlines.

Important Notes

• Grants are usually not allocated until completion of the works relevant to the grant application
• If a parish is awarded a grant, it will be allocated from either Marshal Beresford's Fund or the Church Fabric and Development Fund, not from both funds
• Applications are considered in conjunction with applications to other Church of Ireland grant programmes

Success Rates

No data available on application numbers or success rates

Reapplication Policy

Applications are accepted twice yearly following the fixed deadline schedule

Application Success Factors

Organisations seeking support should:

• Be a Church of Ireland parish or organisation in Ireland
• Demonstrate clear alignment with the fund's priorities for church building or repair
• Submit applications with appropriate supporting documentation by the relevant deadline
• Ensure works are not already funded by the Church Fabric and Development Fund
• Be prepared for grants to be allocated upon completion of works rather than in advance

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a specialised fund exclusively for Church of Ireland churches and clergy in Ireland
• Applications follow a fixed half-yearly schedule with deadlines of 1st March and 1st October
• Grants are allocated in April and November by the Archbishop of Armagh
• The fund has modest resources (approximately £130,000 annual expenditure)
• Focus is primarily on church building and repair projects
• Grants are typically allocated upon completion of works
• Organisations cannot receive grants from both this fund and the Church Fabric and Development Fund for the same project
• Applications should be submitted to the Representative Church Body Property Department

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Westhill Endowment
• The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation
• The Ireland Fund Of Great Britain
• The National Churches Trust
• The Apollo Foundation
• The Milk And Honey Trust
• The Reta Lila Howard Foundation
• The Goodman Foundation
• The Orr Mackintosh Foundation Limited
• The Screwfix Foundation

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - Marshal Beresford's Fund (Charity Number: 272653)
• Church of Ireland - Applications welcome to Marshal Beresford's Fund
• Church of Ireland - Parish Resources: Sources of Church Property Grants
• Charity Commission financial records showing income of £100,922 and expenditure of £129,376 for financial year ending 30 September