Seedfield Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £113,214
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: 4 weeks from trustee meeting
• Grant Range: £100 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide with international Christian work

Contact Details

Website: www.seedfieldtrust.wordpress.com

Email: info.seedfieldtrust@gmail.com

Address: Seedfield Trust, PO Box 142, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 9BA

Charity Commission: Register number 283463

Overview

The Seedfield Trust, established in 1981, is a Christian grant-making charity based in Keswick, Cumbria, with annual expenditure of approximately £113,214. The Trust operates with a clear evangelical mission to proclaim and further the Gospel of Jesus Christ and support the preaching and teaching of the Christian faith throughout the UK and internationally. The Trust is administered by four volunteer trustees who meet twice yearly to consider grant applications. Their grant-making approach focuses on one-off projects rather than long-term commitments, with grants typically supporting Christian organizations and churches running projects aligned with their mission. The Trust also maintains ongoing support for a small number of charities that were supported by the original settlors during their lifetimes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Grants: £100 - £10,000 for one-off projects
• Application Method: Fixed bi-annual deadlines with trustee meetings in May and November
• Deadline: Applications by April 1st for May meeting consideration

Priority Areas

• Proclaiming and furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• Preaching and teaching of the Christian faith throughout the UK and elsewhere
• Producing, publishing, and distributing the Scriptures and Christian literature
• Relief of human suffering and poverty resulting from disasters
• Support for retired ministers, missionaries, or others engaged in Christian work
• Christian organizations and churches running projects that further the Trust's objectives

What They Don't Fund

• Building projects (rarely supported)
• Salaries or core funding (rarely supported)
• Activities requiring funding over multiple years
• Applications from individuals (only UK registered charities accepted)
• Projects without support from other sources

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Governance and Leadership

David Edward Ryan - Chair

Also serves as trustee for Dayspring Christian Trust and Borrowdale Charitable Trust

Eric Proudfoot - Trustee

Appointed October 2012, also serves as trustee for Dayspring Christian Trust

Paul Vipond - Trustee

Mervyn Edward Hull - Trustee

Appointed November 2016

All trustees serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via email using the Trust's Grant Application Form, available for download on their website.

Requirements:

• Only UK registered charities may apply
• Each section of the application must stand alone
• Additional project information may be submitted if necessary
• Projects should have support from other sources
• Email applications to: info.seedfieldtrust@gmail.com

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Twice yearly in May and November
• Application Deadline: April 1st for May meeting consideration
• Notification: By end of month following trustees' meeting
• No Discussion Policy: Decisions are final with no correspondence about unsuccessful applications

Success Rates

Not published

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions published. The Trust's preference for one-off projects suggests new applications from previously unsuccessful organizations may be considered.

Application Success Factors

The Trust states “the criteria for grant making is not inflexible,” valuing context and unique circumstances. Key success factors include:

• Clear Christian mission alignment: Applications must demonstrate how the project advances Christian faith through evangelism, discipleship, or Christian literature distribution
• One-off project focus: The Trust explicitly prefers discrete, time-bound initiatives over ongoing commitments
• Evidence of partnership: Projects should show support from other sources, positioning Seedfield as one partner among others
• Standalone documentation: Each application section must be complete without cross-referencing external materials
• Avoiding building and salary costs: These are rarely supported; focus on program delivery and specific project costs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Christian mission is non-negotiable: Every application must clearly advance the Gospel and Christian faith
• Frame as specific projects: Focus on time-bound initiatives rather than general operations or ongoing costs
• Demonstrate collaborative funding: Show other funders or supporters are backing the project
• Keep applications self-contained: Write each section to stand alone without cross-references
• Respect decision boundaries: Don't expect feedback on unsuccessful applications
• Plan timing carefully: With only two decision points annually, ensure April 1st submissions are complete
• Be realistic about amounts: With £113,000 annual giving, this is a modest funder supporting many small projects

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Grace Trust
• Souter Charitable Trust
• The Deo Gloria Trust
• The Matthew 25:35 Trust
• The Brownlee Charitable Trust
• HESED TRUST
• Hinchley Charitable Trust
• THE MAURICE AND HILDA LAING CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Jerusalem Trust
• The Lauderdale Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=283463&subid=0
• Seedfield Trust Official Website: https://seedfieldtrust.wordpress.com
• Seedfield Trust About Page: https://seedfieldtrust.wordpress.com/about/
• Charity Commission Trustee Information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/283463/trustees