St Faith's Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £230,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Within 1 month after quarterly board meeting
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified (example grant: £35,000)
• Geographic Focus: County of Surrey only

Contact Details

Website: www.stfaithstrust.com

Email: applications@stfaithstrust.com

Phone: 020 8398 2501

Pre-Application Support: Trustees are very happy to talk to prospective applicants before any formal application is submitted to the Trust Board. This is encouraged as an opportunity to discuss projects and get feedback.

Overview

St Faith's Trust is a Surrey-based grant-making charity that supports children and young people up to age 18 in conditions of need, hardship or distress. The charity has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century when it operated as St Faith's Home, a children's home. In 1996, the scheme was updated and renamed St Faith's Trust, transitioning from operating a residential home to functioning as a grant-making trust. Today, the Trust distributes approximately £230,000 annually to charities, voluntary bodies, and local authorities across Surrey. The Trust operates through eight volunteer trustees who meet four times per year to review applications. The charity prefers to support specific projects where there is a clear outcome and measurable benefit, rather than general running costs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

St Faith's Trust operates a single grant program with a rolling application process. Applications are reviewed at quarterly trustee meetings, and grants can vary significantly in size depending on the project. Known grant example: £35,000 to Clifton Hill School for a refurbished Food Technology room.

Application Method: Rolling basis - applications accepted throughout the year and considered at quarterly board meetings. Applications should arrive at least three weeks before a board meeting.

Priority Areas

• Children and Young People in Need: Support for children and young people (up to age 18) across Surrey experiencing need, hardship or distress
• Specific Project Funding: Clear preference for funding projects with measurable outcomes rather than general running costs
• Facility Improvements: Capital projects such as building refurbishments (e.g., 8th Ashford Scouts' new scouting centre, Clifton Hill School's Food Technology room)
• Specialist Support Services: Programs providing practical and emotional support (e.g., family support workers for children with cancer or life-challenging conditions)
• SEND and Disability Services: Activities for children with special educational needs or disabilities (e.g., dance and yoga for autistic children through Jigsaw Trust Dunsfold)
• Educational Assessment: Support for dyslexia and learning difficulty assessments (e.g., Helen Arkell funding)
• Community Activities: Events and programs that benefit children in Surrey (e.g., Sebastian's Action Trust Christmas Party)

What They Don't Fund

The Trust's application guidance emphasizes the following geographic restriction:

• Projects outside Surrey: The Trust's charitable objects are specifically limited to the County of Surrey

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Trust is governed by eight volunteer trustees who meet four times per year to discuss and consider grants:

• Mr Andrew Allen - Chair
• Mrs Jane Campbell
• Mrs Rosie Helowicz
• Dr Barry Hutt
• Mrs Maggie Simkins
• Mr Peter Terelak
• Mrs Helen Wilson
• One additional trustee (8 total confirmed by Charity Commission)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust has no employees with benefits over £60,000 and no trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Pre-Application Discussion (Optional but Encouraged): Contact the Trust to discuss your project before submitting a formal application. Trustees welcome these conversations.

1. Complete the Application Form: Download the form from www.stfaithstrust.com/how-to-apply-for-a-grant

• Convert the completed form to PDF
• Email to the address provided on the website
• Submit at least three weeks before a Trust Board meeting

• How the project meets St Faith's defined objectives
• Details of your charitable status
• Explanation of how the grant will help meet your objectives
• How achievement will be measured and demonstrated
• Indication of other funding sources
• Clear project outcomes and benefits

Decision Timeline

• Board Meetings: Four times per year (quarterly)
• Acknowledgement: All applications are acknowledged upon receipt
• Trustee Assignment: Each application is assigned to a specific trustee who acts as the applicant's point of contact
• Trustee Review: The assigned trustee prepares a brief submission for the Trust Board and may arrange to meet with applicants if helpful
• Decision Notification: Generally within one month after the relevant board meeting
• Total Timeline: Approximately 1-2 months from submission to decision, depending on when the application arrives relative to the quarterly meeting schedule

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Contact the Trust directly to discuss unsuccessful applications and future reapplication opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's published guidance and funded projects, the following factors increase application success:

1. Geographic Eligibility is Absolute: Projects must benefit children and young people in the County of Surrey. This is a fundamental requirement stated in the Trust's charitable objects.

1. Clear, Measurable Outcomes: The Trust explicitly states they “like to support specific projects where there is a clear outcome and/or benefit.” Applications should detail how success will be measured and demonstrated.

1. Pre-Application Engagement: The Trust encourages prospective applicants to speak with trustees before submitting formal applications. This demonstrates their openness to dialogue and suggests that applicants who take advantage of this are better positioned to submit strong applications.

1. Project-Specific Funding Over General Costs: The emphasis on “specific projects” suggests the Trust prefers capital projects, specific programs, or time-limited initiatives rather than contributions to general running costs.

1. Demonstrable Need: Applications should clearly articulate how the project addresses conditions of “need, hardship or distress” among children and young people in Surrey.

1. Multiple Funding Sources: The application guidance requests “an indication of your other sources of funding,” suggesting the Trust expects applicants to have diversified funding strategies.

1. Reporting Capability: Successful applicants must provide a report at the end of the grant period (and annually for multi-year grants). Applications should demonstrate organizational capacity to track and report outcomes.

• Capital improvements (£35,000 for school food technology room; contribution to scout building)
• Specialist services (family support workers for children with serious illnesses)
• SEND activities (dance and yoga for autistic children)
• Educational assessments (dyslexia screening)
• Community events (Christmas parties)

This range suggests the Trust is open to various project types so long as they meet the core criteria of benefiting Surrey children in need.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Take advantage of pre-application conversations - The Trust explicitly welcomes informal discussions before formal submission. Use this to refine your proposal and build relationships with trustees.

• Focus on specific, measurable projects - General appeals for running costs are unlikely to succeed. Present a discrete project with clear deliverables and measurable outcomes.

• Surrey-only focus is non-negotiable - If your project serves children outside Surrey or cannot demonstrate clear Surrey beneficiaries, do not apply.

• Individual trustee assignment means personalized review - Your application will be stewarded by a specific trustee who may want to meet you. Be prepared for this engaged, relationship-based approach.

• Timing matters - Submit at least three weeks before quarterly board meetings to ensure consideration. Plan ahead to align with the Trust's meeting schedule.

• Reports are required but not onerous - Post-grant reporting is expected (typically one page of A4), so ensure you have systems to track outcomes.

• Demonstrate funding diversity - Show that you're pursuing multiple funding sources rather than relying solely on St Faith's Trust.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Betty Riseley Trust for Children
• Community Foundation for Surrey
• The Hussey Trust
• The Tantum Trust
• The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust
• E F AND M G HALL CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Eight Foundation
• The Wisley Foundation
• Farnham Round Table Charitable Trust Fund
• Gatwick Airport Community Trust

References

1. St Faith's Trust official website - www.stfaithstrust.com
2. St Faith's Trust application guidance page - https://www.stfaithstrust.com/how-to-apply-for-a-grant
3. St Faith's Trust about page - https://www.stfaithstrust.com/about-us
4. St Faith's Trust projects page - https://www.stfaithstrust.com/projects
5. Charity Commission Register - ST FAITH'S TRUST (Charity Number 311964) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=311964
6. Historical information about St Faith's Home - https://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/DorkingStFaith/