Sir John Priestman Charity Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £579,570 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: £500 - £18,000
• Average Grant: £4,000
• Geographic Focus: County Durham (particularly Sunderland) and County of York
• Total Projects Supported: 230 projects (2017 data)

Contact Details

Phone: 0191 567 4857

Email: georgejohnston@mckenzie-bell.co.uk

Address: McKenzie Bell & Sons, 19 John Street, Sunderland, SR1 1JG

Charity Number: 209397

Note: The trust does not have a public website. Contact via phone or email for application information.

Overview

The Sir John Priestman Charity Trust was established in 1931 by shipbuilder Sir John Priestman (1855-1941) with an initial endowment of £100,000. With assets of approximately £490,814 and annual grant-giving of £579,570 (2023), the trust supports the upkeep of historic religious buildings in North East England and Yorkshire. The charity prioritises the maintenance of Church of England buildings, with particular emphasis on church organs—reflecting the founder's passion as a keen organist. The trust takes a strategic approach to grant-making by awarding modest grants to a relatively large number of bodies rather than fewer large grants, enabling it to support numerous projects across its geographic focus areas. In 2017, the trust supported 230 projects. The charity works closely with the Church of England to identify applications that most need help, with a focus on deprived communities and their buildings.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Church Building Maintenance: £500 - £18,000 (supporting repairs, renovations, and upkeep of Church of England buildings)
• Church Organ Grants: £500 - £18,000 (repair, renovation, and maintenance of church organs—a priority area for the trust)
• Average Grant Amount: £4,000

Application Method: Contact-based (no online portal). Prospective applicants should contact the trust directly via phone or email to inquire about the application process.

Priority Areas

• Maintenance and upkeep of Church of England buildings in Durham and York
• Repair and renovation of church organs (highest priority, in line with founder's wishes)
• Building, maintaining, and furnishing churches, mission halls, and schools
• Support for deprived communities and their religious buildings
• Relief in necessitous circumstances for ministers of the Church of England in Durham and York
• Making donations to charitable institutions for the benefit of inhabitants of County Durham, particularly Sunderland
• Feeding the poor of Sunderland
• Providing annuities for the aged and sick of County Durham
• Assistance for young men preparing for Holy Orders in the Church of England in Durham
• Support for hospitals and convalescent homes in the region

What They Don't Fund

While explicit exclusions are not published, the trust's focus indicates:

• Projects outside Durham and York counties
• Non-Church of England religious buildings
• Projects not related to religious buildings, poverty relief, or healthcare in the specified geographic areas

Ready to write a winning application for Sir John Priestman Charity Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The trust is administered through McKenzie Bell & Sons, a legal firm in Sunderland. Specific trustee names are not publicly listed in available sources, though George Johnston appears to be a key contact at McKenzie Bell & Sons who handles trust correspondence.

The trustees follow a deliberate policy of awarding modest grants to a relatively large number of bodies, demonstrating a commitment to broad community impact rather than concentrated funding. They work collaboratively with the Church of England to select applications that most need help, prioritizing deprived communities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Sir John Priestman Charity Trust does not have a public website or online application portal. Prospective applicants should:

• Phone: 0191 567 4857
• Email: georgejohnston@mckenzie-bell.co.uk
• Address: McKenzie Bell & Sons, 19 John Street, Sunderland, SR1 1JG

1. Inquire about application requirements: Request information about the application process, required documentation, and current funding priorities.

1. Prepare application: Based on guidance received, prepare documentation demonstrating project need, alignment with trust objectives, and benefit to communities in Durham or York.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Applicants should inquire about expected timeframes when making initial contact with the trust.

Success Rates

The trust supported 230 projects in 2017 with total grant expenditure of £579,570 in 2023. However, specific application numbers and success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Applicants should inquire about this when contacting the trust.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's stated priorities and grant-making approach:

Key Alignment Factors:

• Geographic eligibility: Projects must be located in County Durham (particularly Sunderland) or County of York
• Church of England focus: The trust specifically supports Church of England buildings and ministers—this is a fundamental requirement
• Organ maintenance priority: Projects involving church organ repair, renovation, or maintenance are explicitly prioritized
• Community need: The trust seeks to support deprived communities, so demonstrating community deprivation and need is important
• Building preservation: Projects that maintain historic religious buildings align with core objectives

Strategic Considerations:

• The trust favors awarding modest grants to many organizations rather than large grants to few—adjust funding requests accordingly (typical grants average £4,000)
• Working collaboratively with the Church of England appears beneficial, as the trust uses Church guidance to select applications
• Emphasize how the project serves inhabitants of the specified geographic areas
• For organ projects, highlighting the historical significance and the founder's passion for organs may strengthen applications

Application Tips:

• Given the lack of online presence, building a relationship through initial phone or email contact is essential
• Be prepared to demonstrate genuine community need and the impact of building/organ maintenance on local congregations
• Consider applying for a modest amount that aligns with the trust's typical grant range rather than the maximum amount
• Emphasize preservation of heritage and service to local communities, particularly those facing deprivation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Church of England only: This trust exclusively supports Church of England buildings and causes—don't apply if you're outside this denomination
• Geographic boundaries matter: Projects must be in Durham or York—the trust particularly focuses on Sunderland and surrounding areas
• Organ maintenance is golden: Church organ projects are the highest priority, reflecting the founder's passion
• Modest amounts, many recipients: With 230 projects supported in one year and an average grant of £4,000, target realistic funding requests around this level
• No online application: You must contact the trust directly by phone or email—relationship-building through McKenzie Bell & Sons is essential
• Demonstrate community need: The trust prioritizes deprived communities, so evidence of community deprivation strengthens applications
• Work with the Church of England: The trust collaborates with Church authorities to identify priorities—diocesan support may help your application

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• P F Charitable Trust
• AKO Foundation
• Rosetrees Trust
• The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation
• Charity of Sir Richard Whittington
• The Orr Mackintosh Foundation Limited
• The Shanly Foundation
• THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
• The Chalk Cliff Trust
• THE MORRISONS FOUNDATION
• THE CADOGAN CHARITY
• The Education Endowment Foundation
• THE JONES 1986 CHARITABLE TRUST
• PEACOCK CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE SIMON GIBSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• Baron Davenport's Charity
• NPT Transatlantic Limited
• SMITH CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE CONSTANCE TRAVIS CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=209397
• Financial History: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/209397/financial-history
• Accessed: January 2025

• https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/support-organisations/sir-john-priestman-trust
• Accessed: January 2025

• https://www.philanthropynortheast.com/organisations/sir-john-priestman-charity-trust
• Note: Information based on cached/archived content as website appears to be offline
• Accessed: January 2025

• https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-209397
• Accessed: January 2025

Key Data Points:

• 2017 grant data (230 projects, £500-£18,000 range, £4,000 average) sourced from Charity Commission and Philanthropy North East
• 2023 financial data (£579,570 grant expenditure, £541,280 income) from Charity Commission financial history
• 2024 financial data (£490,810 income, £566,560 expenditure) from Charity Commission financial history
• Historical information about Sir John Priestman and trust founding from multiple sources including Philanthropy North East biographical entry