St Christopher's Educational Trust (incorporating The Hughes And Stevens Bequest)

Charity Number: 313864

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Charity Number: 313864
  • Annual Giving: £143,659 (2024)
  • Annual Income: £208,409 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: £3,000 - £30,000
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales only
  • Trustees: 6

Contact Details

Website: www.churchofengland.org/more/education-and-schools/st-christophers-educational-trust

Alternative Website: www.nse.org.uk/about/the-st-christophers-educational-trust

Email: stchristopherstrust@hotmail.co.uk

Phone: 01869 325613

National Society for Education Address: Church House, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3AZ

Phone (National Society): +44 (0)20 7898 1000

Overview

St Christopher's Educational Trust (Charity Number 313864) was established to continue the work of St Christopher's College in Blackheath. The Trust is administered in association with the National Society for Education (Church of England and Church in Wales). The charity provides grants for research or delivery projects designed to support academic and/or practical studies leading to better practice in Christian education and formation among young people. As of 2024, the Trust had an annual income of £208,409 and made grants totalling £143,659. The Trust operates exclusively within England and Wales and aligns all activities with the principles of the Church of England. Current priorities include applications which promote collaboration between churches, schools and households in contributing to Christian formation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust offers two distinct grant categories:

1. Organizational Grants: £20,000 - £30,000

For organisations developing opportunities for spiritual and faith formation of children and young people within the context of education and church. These larger grants target projects with potential for wider strategic impact and influence.

2. Individual Grants: Up to £3,000

For individuals who are in (or training for) active Christian ministry with children and young people. These grants enable professional development, research, and learning opportunities to further develop skills and expertise. Matched funding arrangements are also available.

Priority Areas

  • Projects promoting collaboration between churches, schools and households in Christian formation
  • Spiritual and faith formation of children and young people within educational contexts
  • Research leading to better practice in Christian education
  • Professional development for those in active Christian ministry with young people
  • Applications from priority communities and marginalized backgrounds (particularly welcomed)
  • Projects with potential for strategic impact and wider influence

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects outside England and Wales
  • Work not aligned with Church of England principles
  • Applications not focused on children and young people
  • Projects without educational or faith formation components
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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 6 trustees who serve without remuneration. No trustees receive any payments or benefits from the charity. The Trust operates with 1 volunteer and has no employees receiving benefits over £60,000. The charity has no trading subsidiaries and operates as a traditional grant-making trust.

The Trust is administered in partnership with the National Society for Education (Charity Number 313070), which provides administrative support and oversight.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust accepts applications through downloadable application forms available on the National Society for Education website. There are separate forms for:

  • Individual applicants
  • Institutional/organizational applicants

Application forms are available for the 2025 cycle.

Important Note: As of November 2022, the Trustees were undertaking a review of their policy and criteria, during which applications were temporarily suspended. Prospective applicants should contact the Trust directly at stchristopherstrust@hotmail.co.uk or check the National Society website to confirm current application status before applying.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact the Trust directly for information on expected timeframes.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information on reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Applicants should enquire directly with the Trust.

Application Success Factors

While specific guidance from trustees is not publicly available, the Trust's stated priorities provide clear direction:

  • Strategic Impact: The Trust particularly welcomes applications with “potential for wider strategic impact and influence.” Applications should clearly articulate how the project will create ripple effects beyond immediate beneficiaries.
  • Collaborative Approach: Current priorities emphasize “collaboration between churches, schools and households.” Successful applications likely demonstrate multi-stakeholder partnerships rather than isolated initiatives.
  • Alignment with Church of England Principles: All work must align with Church of England principles. Applications should demonstrate this alignment clearly.
  • Focus on Marginalized Communities: The Trust explicitly states it “particularly welcomes applications from people from priority communities and marginalised backgrounds.” Applicants from these communities or serving these populations should highlight this.
  • Educational Context: The Trust focuses on “spiritual and faith formation of children and young people within the context of education and church.” Projects must bridge educational and faith contexts.
  • Evidence-Based Approach: For organizational grants, research or delivery projects should lead to “better practice in Christian education and formation.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Restriction: The Trust “does not operate outside of England and Wales” - international projects are ineligible
  • Two Distinct Streams: Understand whether you're applying as an individual (up to £3k) or organization (£20k-£30k) and use the appropriate form
  • Strategic Impact Required: Particularly for larger organizational grants, demonstrate potential for influence beyond your immediate project
  • Partnership Approach: Emphasize collaboration between churches, schools, and households in your application
  • Serve Young People: All projects must focus on children and young people - this is non-negotiable
  • Check Application Status: Contact the Trust to confirm applications are being accepted before investing time in preparation, given the 2022 policy review
  • Direct Contact Encouraged: With limited public information, contacting stchristopherstrust@hotmail.co.uk directly for guidance is advisable

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