St Boniface Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £116,811 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (trustees meet 4 times per year)
• Grant Range: Up to £350 per award
• Geographic Focus: UK and overseas (especially training institutions and dioceses overseas)

Contact Details

Address: 4 Cley View, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 8NS

Email: secretary@stbonifacetrust.org.uk

Phone: 01985 216904

Website: www.stbonifacetrust.org.uk

Secretary: David Prior (handles all administration)

Overview

St Boniface Trust (registered charity 309500) was established following the closure in 1969 of St Boniface Missionary College in Warminster, which was founded in 1860 by Sir James Erasmus Philipps. The Trust maintains the College's original worldwide mission of supporting Christian education and ministry. With an annual income of approximately £95,879 (2024), derived mainly from school rent and investments, the Trust awards small grants to support Anglican clergy, seminarians, and lay people undertaking training, courses, sabbaticals, or study leave. The Trust has a particular emphasis on overseas projects and actively attempts to allocate at least half of its grants to training institutions and dioceses overseas, ensuring continuity with the College's original mission objectives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Individual Training Grants: Up to £350 per award
• For Anglican clergy, seminarians, and students
• Rolling basis (applications accepted throughout the year, but subject to annual budget limits)
• Awards distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until annual budget is exhausted

Priority Areas

• Ordination training for Anglican clergy
• Course attendance costs for clergy and lay people
• Sabbaticals (especially those emphasizing fallow time and freedom from usual daily routine demands)
• Study leave for clergy
• Training institutions and dioceses overseas (the Trust aims to allocate at least 50% of grants to overseas projects)
• Education and training of priests and laity in accordance with Anglican faith principles
• Scholarships and maintenance allowances

What They Don't Fund

• 'Further' degrees (postgraduate degrees beyond initial training)
• Work placements which form part of, or supplement, ordination training
• Non-Anglican organizations or individuals
• Projects outside the scope of Christian education and ministerial training

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (7 members):

1. Gavin Chappell
2. George Tabeart
3. Rt Rev Andrew Rumsey
4. Rev Richard Davies
5. Rev Prebendary Peter Nigel Rapsey
6. Rev Ian Zass-Ogilvy FRICS, AKC
7. Rev Edward John Perry

The Trust is governed by St Boniface Council. All trustees serve without remuneration. The Trust has no employees with benefits over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be directed to the Secretary, David Prior. Contact via:

• Email: secretary@stbonifacetrust.org.uk
• Post: 4 Cley View, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 8NS
• Phone: 01985 216904

Application Requirements:

• Applications must be accompanied by at least one letter of support
• All applications receive thoughtful and careful consideration from trustees

Important Timing Consideration: Each year the trustees set a budget for the total amount that can be awarded, and distribution is made until the limit is reached. Applications early in the calendar year are more likely to be successful before the annual budget is exhausted.

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet 4 times per year
• Specific meeting months are not publicly disclosed
• Applications are reviewed at quarterly trustee meetings
• No specific information available on notification timeline after trustee meetings

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available materials

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated priorities and guidance:

• Letter of Support is Mandatory: All applications must include at least one letter of support. This is a firm requirement, not a suggestion.

• Apply Early in the Year: The Trust explicitly notes that “applications early in the calendar year are more likely to be successful” because they operate on a fixed annual budget distributed on a first-come basis until funds are exhausted.

• Emphasize Overseas Connection (if applicable): The Trust aims to allocate at least 50% of grants to overseas training institutions and dioceses, continuing the original worldwide mission of St Boniface College. If your application has an international dimension, make this clear.

• Sabbaticals with Genuine Rest: The guidance specifically mentions that “sabbaticals that emphasise fallow time and being freed from the demands of the usual daily routine are regarded sympathetically.” Focus applications on rest and renewal rather than productivity or output.

• Avoid Ineligible Categories: Do not apply for further degrees or work placements that form part of ordination training, as the Trust explicitly states they cannot support these due to limited resources.

• Anglican Connection: Ensure your application clearly demonstrates alignment with Anglican faith principles, as this is central to the Trust's charitable objectives.

• Modest Expectations: With grants capped at £350, frame requests appropriately for smaller supplementary funding rather than full course costs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small grants only – maximum £350 per award, so best suited for supplementary funding rather than major costs
• Apply early – budget is allocated first-come, first-served until exhausted each year; early applications have higher success rates
• Letter of support is essential – this is a mandatory requirement for all applications
• Overseas emphasis – at least 50% of grants go overseas; international projects receive significant priority
• Sabbaticals welcomed – applications emphasizing rest and renewal (not productivity) are viewed sympathetically
• Anglican only – must align with Anglican faith principles; non-Anglican applications are outside scope
• Contact the Secretary directly – all administration handled by David Prior; informal enquiries welcomed before formal application

References

1. St Boniface Trust official website: www.stbonifacetrust.org.uk
2. Charity Commission Register: “ST BONIFACE TRUST - 309500” - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/309500/full-print
3. St Boniface Trust History page: https://www.stbonifacetrust.org.uk/history.php
4. Diocese of London - Grants and Expenses page: https://www.london.anglican.org/clergy-llm-support/clergy-human-resources/grants-and-expenses/
5. Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham - "Grants & support for clergy and their households": https://southwell.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Clergy-grants-support-2024-website.pdf
6. Anglican News - “Trust offers £1,000 prize for people to explain why they will remain Anglican” (2011): https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2011/08/trust-offers-%C2%A31,000-prize-for-people-to-explain-why-they-will-remain-anglican.aspx
7. Wikipedia - “St Boniface College, Warminster”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Boniface_College,_Warminster