Stewards Company Ltd

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £5.4 million (2021/22)
• Number of Grants: 352 grants awarded annually
• Geographic Focus: UK and overseas (approximately 60% UK, 40% overseas)
• Application Method: Written applications accepted (including unsolicited)
• Faith Focus: Christian charitable causes

Contact Details

Address: 122 Wells Road, Bath, BA2 3AH

Phone: 01225 427236

Email: stewardsco@stewards.co.uk

Note: The charity does not maintain a public website

Overview

Stewards Company Ltd (established 1898, registered charity 234558) acts as owner or custodian trustee of various charitable properties, mainly places of worship in the UK and overseas, and serves as administrative trustee for several Christian charitable trusts including the J.W. Laing Trust and the J.W. Laing Biblical Scholarship Trust. While primarily focused on property stewardship, the charity actively distributes substantial grant funding—approximately £5-6 million annually to 350-450 recipients. The organisation has distributed an estimated half a billion pounds through the J.W. Laing Trust since its establishment in 1952 by Sir John Laing, whose Christian faith motivated his philanthropic work focused on missionary and youth work. Recent grants (2021/22) totalled £5,382,135 paid to 352 recipients, with £1,997,213 for overseas causes and £3,384,922 for UK causes. The charity operates with 21 trustees and employs 6 staff members, utilizing a CRM system to manage and review funding applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Stewards Company administers grants primarily through the J.W. Laing Trust and the J.W. Laing Biblical Scholarship Trust. The J.W. Laing Trust is described as “an independent Christian grant-making body which aims to improve the lives of those in need.”

Priority Areas

• Community projects: Supporting Christian community initiatives
• Disadvantaged youth: Projects working with young people facing disadvantage
• Education: Educational programmes, particularly those with Christian values and Biblical scholarship
• Homelessness: Work addressing homelessness and housing needs
• Poverty relief: Projects relieving poverty and hardship
• Religious activities: Advancement of the Christian religion and Gospel education
• Former employees: Special consideration for relief of poverty and hardship among former John Laing employees and their dependents
• Overseas missions: Significant proportion of funding (approximately 40%) supports overseas Christian charitable work

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the strong Christian focus suggests that secular projects or those inconsistent with Christian aims and objectives are unlikely to be funded. The charity's objects are specifically Christian in nature.

Ready to write a winning application for Stewards Company Ltd?

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

Structure

• Trustees: 21 trustees oversee the charity
• Grant Committee: Grants are decided by a committee composed primarily of trustees (all except one committee member are trustees)
• Staff: 6 employees support the charity's operations

Key Trustees

• Michelangelo Leto (appointed 2019) - Project Financier
• Paul John Young (appointed 2011) - Christian Worker
• Simon Tomlinson BSc, ACA (appointed 2014) - Director
• Stephen James Shaw (appointed 2022) - Barrister
• Andrew Bartholomew Griffiths
• Andrew Ian Mayo
• Avril Sheh May Chung
• David Crawford Bingham
• David Norton Roberts
• Dr. John Henry Burness

The charity states: “All trustees are always anxious to help fund Christian ministries, both in the UK and overseas.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Written Applications: Apply in writing to the charity at 122 Wells Road, Bath, BA2 3AH, or via email to stewardsco@stewards.co.uk, or by phone at 01225 427236.

Unsolicited Applications Welcome: The charity explicitly states that “numerous funding applications are received, many unsolicited, and all are considered.” This is an important distinction—while they don't have a formal online application portal or published guidelines, they actively welcome and review unsolicited applications.

Application Review Process: The charity operates an online application system together with CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems that help inform trustees more fully as applications are reviewed and discussed. This suggests applications are entered into their system and thoroughly considered.

Decision Making: Grants made by the two major trusts (J.W. Laing Trust and J.W. Laing Biblical Scholarship Trust) are decided by the committee, which “takes into account the Christian aims and objectives of such charities consistent with those of the main grant-making trusts.”

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. With 352 grants awarded annually and a committee-based decision-making process, applicants should expect a thorough review process.

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not published, the charity awarded 352 grants in the most recent reported year (2021/22), down slightly from 458 grants the previous year. The charity receives “numerous” applications, suggesting a competitive process, though the exact success rate is unknown.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Christian Mission

The most critical success factor is alignment with Christian charitable objectives. The committee explicitly considers “the Christian aims and objectives of such charities consistent with those of the main grant-making trusts.” Projects must advance the Christian religion, provide Gospel education, or serve Christian charitable purposes.

Focus Area Match

Projects addressing the charity's stated priority areas—community work, disadvantaged youth, education, and homelessness—appear most likely to succeed, particularly when delivered through a Christian framework. Historically, the J.W. Laing Trust founder was “passionate about funding missionary work and youth work.”

UK and Overseas Balance

The charity maintains a roughly 60/40 split between UK and overseas funding. Both domestic and international Christian charitable projects are actively considered.

Clear Charitable Benefit

Applications should clearly demonstrate relief of poverty, advancement of education, or advancement of religion—the charity's core objects as stated in their governing documents.

Supporting Vulnerable Groups

Projects serving children/young people, elderly people, people with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups align well with the charity's stated beneficiary groups.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Unsolicited applications are explicitly welcome—don't be deterred by the lack of online guidelines; the charity actively reviews all written applications received
• Christian mission is essential—ensure your organisation's aims align with Christian charitable objectives and can demonstrate consistency with the charity's faith-based mission
• Write directly to apply—contact via post, email, or phone to submit your application or enquiry
• Focus on the four priority areas—community, disadvantaged youth, education, and homelessness are explicitly stated priorities
• Overseas projects are welcomed—approximately 40% of funding supports overseas Christian work
• Be prepared for committee review—applications are reviewed using a CRM system and decided by a trustee committee, suggesting a thorough evaluation process
• Consider the historical legacy—understanding the J.W. Laing Trust's origins in supporting missionary and youth work may help frame applications appropriately

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: STEWARDS COMPANY LTD - 234558. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/234558

• Giving is Great: Charity Factsheet - Stewards Company Ltd. Available at: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=234558

• Anthony Collins Solicitors (2023): “Working together to continue a legacy” - Social Impact Report 2023. Available at: https://www.anthonycollins.com/social-impact-report-2023/stories/communities/working-together-to-continue-a-legacy/

• Laing Family Trusts: About Us. Available at: https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/

• Charity Commission Annual Returns for Stewards Company Limited (Charity No. 234558) - Financial years 2019-2022