Miss W E Lawrence 1973 Charitable Settlement

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £154,454 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: £2,000 - £3,000 (average)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily West Berkshire within 20-mile radius of Kintbury; also supports national projects

Contact Details

Main Contact:

• Email: rowena.stoute@freeths.co.uk
• Phone: 01865 781122
• Address: Freeths LLP, Spires House, 5700 John Smith Drive, Oxford Business Park South, Oxford, OX4 2RW
• Website: www.misslawrencetrust.org

Overview

The Miss W E Lawrence 1973 Charitable Settlement was established in 1973 by Kintbury resident Miss Winifred Lawrence, who left an estate in trust to benefit “charitable objects, associations and organisations.” Operating with three trustees and no paid staff, the Trust focuses on supporting charities, organisations and individuals primarily in West Berkshire and the surrounding area, while also funding nationally and occasionally internationally. The Trust typically provides approximately £100,000 worth of grants per annum, though recent years have seen significantly increased giving—£154,454 in income with £183,495 in expenditure in the financial year ending April 2024. In one recent year, the Trust awarded £184,239 in community grants to support 74 charitable organisations via The Good Exchange platform, over double the amount awarded the previous year. The Trust maintains Miss Lawrence's original vision of supporting smaller good causes, particularly those involving children and young people.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates primarily through The Good Exchange platform:

• General Grant Programme: £2,000 - £3,000 (average per applicant)
• Rolling applications via The Good Exchange online platform
• Single application form used for matching with multiple funders
• Approximately 74 grants awarded annually in recent years

Priority Areas

The Trust supports a wide range of charitable projects including:

• Youth services - particularly recreational activities and social support for young people
• Disability services
• Education - including educational grants to individuals of limited means resident in Kintbury and surrounding area
• Employment and training
• Poverty, deprivation and homelessness
• Arts and cultural learning for young people (e.g., literacy projects, theatre access)

Geographic Priority:

• Strong preference for charities within 20-mile radius of Kintbury, West Berkshire
• Also supports projects in surrounding Berkshire counties
• National charities, including some supported by the settlor in her lifetime
• Occasional international projects

What They Don't Fund

• Generally does not consider organisations with annual incomes over £2 million (preference for smaller good causes)

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (as of 2024):

• Roger Henman
• Jonathan Bastable
• Julian Grahame Dickins

The three trustees operate without remuneration and continue Miss Winifred Lawrence's wishes, particularly supporting causes involving children and young people.

Trustee Insights:

Jonathan Bastable has stated that The Good Exchange platform helps the Trust “simplify our paper-based system of processing grant applications” and “streamline the annual shortlisting of applications” while providing “transparency” in reviewing applicants and seeing support received from other funders and donors.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are made through The Good Exchange platform (app.thegoodexchange.com/funders/10837/the-miss-lawrence-trust).

Application Process:

1. Create a project profile on The Good Exchange platform
2. Complete a single application form
3. The platform matches your project with appropriate funders based on funding criteria
4. The Trust reviews applications and makes funding decisions

Key Application Details:

• Rolling basis - applications accepted throughout the year
• Single, simple application form for consideration by multiple funders
• Online platform streamlines the process

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Applicants should expect the trustees to review applications on a regular basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

While exact success rates are not published, available data shows:

• In one recent year: 74 grants awarded via The Good Exchange
• Over three years: 170 organisations supported through The Good Exchange partnership
• The Trust has significantly increased its grant-making in recent years (over double year-on-year in one period)

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly available. Applicants should contact the Trust directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Organizational Characteristics:

• Size matters: Strong preference for smaller charities and good causes; generally excludes organisations with annual incomes exceeding £2 million
• Geographic connection: Priority given to organisations within 20 miles of Kintbury or operating in West Berkshire
• Youth focus: Particularly interested in causes involving children and young people, continuing the settlor's original vision

Recent Funded Projects:

• Roald Dahl Literacy project at Corn Exchange Newbury enabling local schools (Kintbury St Mary's and Brimpton Primary) to access arts and cultural learning
• The Theatrical Guild appeal supporting theatre workers during COVID-19
• Greenham Trust's Emergency Coronavirus Appeal (£10,000 contribution)

Application Platform Advantages:

• Use of The Good Exchange platform allows trustees to see “transparency” regarding other funders' support
• Platform enables efficient review and comparison of applications
• Trustees appreciate the streamlined digital process after transitioning from paper-based system

Strategic Approach:

• Focus on practical impact for beneficiaries, particularly young people
• Support for recreational activities and social support
• Interest in collaborative funding (comfortable seeing other funders' involvement via platform)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Think local first: Strong preference for West Berkshire projects within 20 miles of Kintbury—emphasize local connections prominently
• Highlight youth impact: Projects involving children and young people align with the settlor's original vision and trustees' current priorities
• Stay small: Best suited for organisations with income under £2 million; this is a trust that champions smaller good causes
• Use The Good Exchange platform: The Trust has embraced this digital application system—create a strong project profile on the platform
• Average grant size: Budget for £2,000-£3,000 rather than larger amounts, though the Trust has made larger grants for specific appeals
• Demonstrate collaborative funding: The Trust is comfortable being part of a funding mix—don't be concerned about showing other funders' involvement
• Focus on practical social support: Projects providing recreational activities, education, employment support, or addressing poverty/homelessness align well with priorities

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: MISS W E LAWRENCE 1973 CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT - 1014066. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1014066
• Find that Charity: Miss W E Lawrence 1973 Charitable Settlement. Available at: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1014066
• UK Fundraising (11 June 2018): “The Miss Lawrence Trust joins The Good Exchange as new funder.” Available at: https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/06/11/miss-lawrence-trust-joins-good-exchange-new-funder/
• The Good Exchange: “Miss Lawrence Trust and The Good Exchange celebrate three years of working together, supporting 170 organisations.” Available at: https://thegoodexchange.com/resources/miss-lawrence-trust/
• The Good Exchange: The Miss Lawrence Trust funder profile. Available at: https://app.thegoodexchange.com/funders/10837/the-miss-lawrence-trust
• Miss Lawrence Trust official website: www.misslawrencetrust.org