Sylvanus Lysons Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £497,579 (expenditure, year ending Sept 2024)
• Annual Income: £388,138
• Grant Range: £200 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: Diocese of Gloucester
• Application Schedule: Fixed deadlines (three times annually)
• Grant Duration: One-off or 2-3 years

Contact Details

Primary Contact:

• Email: Sylvanuslysons@gmail.com
• Contact: Helen Sammon, Grants Administrator
• Phone: 01452 522047
• Address: c/o Tayntons Solicitors, 8-12 Clarence Street, Gloucester GL1 1DZ

Website:

• https://gloucester.anglican.org/support-services/parish-finance-gift-aid-legal-advice/sylvanus-lysons-charity/

Pre-Application Support:

Applicants are encouraged to contact Helen Sammon at any time for informal discussions about project ideas and to discuss draft applications before submission.

Overview

Sylvanus Lysons Charity (Registered Charity No. 202939) was established in 1731 through the will of Sylvanus Lysons, a Gloucester gentleman and landowner. Originally created to support clergy widows and the Rector of Hempsted with £20 annual gifts, the charity's mission has evolved significantly over nearly 300 years. Today, it operates with an annual expenditure of approximately £497,000, supporting the wider mission and ministry of the Church of England throughout the Diocese of Gloucester. The charity is managed by a Board of 7 trustees (4 of whom are licensed clergy) and supported by Tayntons Solicitors. While continuing its historical commitment to clergy widows/widowers and the parish of Hempsted, the charity now focuses primarily on funding innovative church-based projects that bring “hope and healing” to communities, with particular emphasis on seed funding for new initiatives that align with Deanery and Diocesan strategic vision.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Program: £200 - £10,000

• One-off grants or multi-year funding (typically 2-3 years)
• Rolling application schedule with three fixed deadlines annually
• Particularly interested in “seed funding” for new and innovative projects

Priority Areas

The charity welcomes applications for grants towards church and Christian-based projects, with particular focus on:

• Work with disadvantaged or disabled people: Projects supporting vulnerable young persons and adults
• Local church-based mission projects: Youth and children's work that aligns with Deanery and Diocesan strategic vision and plans
• Community initiatives: Projects where the church works in conjunction with local communities to address local needs
• Clergy development: Support for clergy and licensed ministers undertaking further ministerial study, including sabbaticals and retreats
• Innovation and seed funding: New and courageous approaches to ministry and mission

The charity particularly values projects that:

• Connect with communities in new ways
• Combat injustice, environmental destruction, exclusion and isolation
• Support the Diocese's “LIFE Together” vision (Leadership, Imagination, Faith, Engagement)
• Align with Deanery Strategic Plans 2030

What They Don't Fund

• Building maintenance and repairs: Explicitly excluded from funding consideration
• Projects outside the Diocese of Gloucester

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

• Michael Angell - Chair
• Rt Revd Robert Springett - Bishop of Tewkesbury
• Rev Lara Bloom - Licensed clergy
• Ian Templeton
• Stuart Hutton

The Board comprises 7 trustees total, with 4 being licensed clergy. No trustees receive remuneration or payments from the charity.

Administrative Support

• Tayntons Solicitors - Provides legal and administrative support
• Helen Sammon - Part-time Grants Administrator

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility:

• Parishes, groups of churches, and Christian organizations within the Diocese of Gloucester
• Individuals (clergy, licensed lay ministers, diocesan organization workers) for study/retreat support

Application Requirements:

For Church/Organization Applications:

1. Download and complete the application information form
2. Include budget template
3. Optional: project risk assessment form
4. Critical: Discuss your application with your Area Dean
5. Include a letter from your Area Dean demonstrating alignment with the Deanery Strategic Plan
6. For youth/children's projects: discuss with the Diocesan Youth/Children's Connector

For Individual Applications:

1. Complete individual application form for studies, sabbaticals, or retreats

Submission Process:

• Email applications to: Sylvanuslysons@gmail.com
• Strongly recommended: Start applications early and discuss drafts with Helen Sammon before formal submission

Decision Timeline

2026 Application Deadlines:

• 17th April 2026 - Closing date: 23rd March 2026
• 17th July 2026 - Closing date: 22nd June 2026
• 13th November 2026 - Closing date: 19th October 2026

Applications are reviewed at trustees meetings held approximately 3 weeks after closing dates. Allow approximately 4-6 weeks from application deadline to decision notification.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly published. However, with annual expenditure of nearly £500,000 and grant sizes ranging from £200-£10,000, the charity appears to fund a significant number of projects annually (estimated 50-100+ grants per year).

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Grants Administrator to discuss reapplication timing and approach if previously unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the charity's stated priorities and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Strategic Alignment: Clear connection to Deanery Strategic Plans and the Diocese's “LIFE Together” vision. Applications must include Area Dean endorsement demonstrating this alignment.

1. Community Impact: Projects that work “in conjunction with the local community and addressing local needs” are prioritized. The charity specifically seeks projects that “bring hope and healing” to communities.

1. Innovation and Seed Funding: The charity shows particular interest in supporting “new and courageous ways of worshipping in different places which connect with more people” - applications for innovative, pilot, or start-up projects are welcomed.

1. Multi-Year Vision: The charity's willingness to fund projects for 2-3 years suggests they value sustainable initiatives. Examples include Hope Cirencester receiving consecutive three-year grants for different programs.

1. Early Engagement: The charity explicitly encourages informal discussion with the Grants Administrator before formal submission. Taking advantage of this pre-application support demonstrates commitment and allows for application refinement.

• Hope Cirencester: Multi-year grants for Support Worker wages and Intern Scheme establishment
• Gloucester Street Pastors: Community safety ministry
• CANDI (Cinderford Area Neighbourhood Development Initiative): Community development work

1. Appropriate Budgeting: While grants can reach £10,000, the charity funds projects “from a few hundred pounds” upward, suggesting they value realistic, appropriate budgeting over inflated requests.

1. Collaborative Approach: For youth/children's work, discussing applications with the Diocesan Youth/Children's Connector shows collaboration and sector awareness.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Pre-application engagement is essential: Contact Helen Sammon early to discuss your project idea and draft application - this is explicitly encouraged and will strengthen your submission
• Area Dean support is mandatory: You must secure your Area Dean's endorsement showing alignment with your Deanery Strategic Plan - start this conversation early
• Think innovation and seed funding: The charity particularly values “new and courageous” approaches and seed funding for innovative projects - frame your application accordingly
• Multi-year funding is available: Don't limit yourself to one-year requests; the charity frequently awards 2-3 year grants for substantial projects
• Community connection is crucial: Clearly demonstrate how your church project works “in conjunction with the local community” to address real local needs
• Building projects need not apply: Explicitly avoid building maintenance or repair requests - focus on mission, ministry, and community impact instead
• Plan around three annual deadlines: With only three application windows per year, plan your project timeline and application preparation to meet these fixed dates

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• County of Gloucestershire Community Foundation
• Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust
• The Rowlands Trust
• Peter Lang Children's Trust
• The Temple Ecclesiastical Charity
• The Gloucestershire Association for Disability
• The Saintbury Trust
• The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust
• The Anchor Society CIO
• THE VERDON-SMITH FAMILY CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT

References

• Diocese of Gloucester - Sylvanus Lysons Charity main page: https://gloucester.anglican.org/support-services/parish-finance-gift-aid-legal-advice/sylvanus-lysons-charity/
• Diocese of Gloucester - Grant Applications page: https://gloucester.anglican.org/support-services/parish-finance-gift-aid-legal-advice/sylvanus-lysons-charity/grant-applications/
• Diocese of Gloucester - About Sylvanus page: https://gloucester.anglican.org/support-services/parish-finance-gift-aid-legal-advice/sylvanus-lysons-charity/about-sylvanus/
• UK Charity Commission Register - Charity No. 202939: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=202939
• Hope Cirencester website - Grant acknowledgment: http://hope-cirencester.co.uk/author/kimmy/
• Gloucester Street Pastors - Funders page: https://streetpastors.org/locations/gloucester/give/
• Diocese of Gloucester - Deanery Strategic Plans 2030: https://gloucester.anglican.org/2020/deanery-strategic-plans-2030/