The Beatrice Laing Trust

Charity Number: 211884

Annual Expenditure: £2.3M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Website: www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Phone: 020 8238 8890

Email: info@laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months
  • Grant Range: £2,000 - £10,000 (with capacity for larger grants)
  • Geographic Focus: UK national (plus overseas development in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia through UK charities)

Contact Details

Address: Laing Family Trusts, 33 Bunns Lane, Mill Hill, London, NW7 2DX

Website: www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Email: info@laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Phone: 020 8238 8890

Note: Applications must be submitted by post only - email applications are not accepted. Contact grant staff by phone with questions before applying.

Overview

The Beatrice Laing Trust was established in 1952 by Sir John Laing, a devout Christian and founder of the international construction company John Laing plc. Sir John was a member of the Brethren Movement whose Christian faith motivated his pioneering philanthropy, including giving almost 40% of his company shareholding to charitable foundations as early as 1922. The Trust operates under the Laing Family Trusts umbrella alongside three other family trusts (Kirby Laing Foundation, Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust, and Martin Laing Foundation), all sharing a single administration. An application to one trust is considered an application to all four. The Trust's mission focuses on advancing the evangelical Christian faith and relieving poverty in its broadest sense, both in the UK and overseas. The Trusts are members of the Association of Charitable Foundations and the Christian Funders' Forum.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Rolling Grant Programme: £2,000 - £10,000 (typical range)

  • No application deadlines - rolling basis throughout the year
  • Trustees have capacity to make larger grants annually
  • Applications accepted at any time
  • Capital or project funding favoured over revenue funding
  • Grants made on one-off basis

Priority Areas

1. Church Building Projects

  • New church construction, extension, or redevelopment projects
  • Particular emphasis on churches using physical resources to communicate Christian faith and respond to local community needs
  • Note: Church restoration/repair generally excluded (with some exceptions)

2. Services for Disadvantaged and Vulnerable People

  • Christian organisations expressing faith through practical action
  • Focus areas include:
  • Homeless services
  • Elderly support
  • Ex-offender rehabilitation
  • Former servicemen and women

3. Support for People with Disabilities

  • Special schools making provision for increasingly complex needs
  • Transition support from childhood to adulthood
  • Access to training and meaningful employment opportunities
  • Services for people with physical, mental, and learning difficulties

4. Overseas Development

  • Small-scale projects in Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia
  • Building capacity of local partners
  • Improving educational opportunities
  • Building sustainable livelihoods
  • Only UK-registered charities can apply

What They Don't Fund

Organisational Exclusions:

  • Charities registered overseas
  • Umbrella or grant-making organisations
  • State maintained or independent schools (except special needs schools)
  • Hospices (without strong local connection)
  • NHS hospital trusts
  • Sports clubs
  • Individuals (for education, travel, medical purposes)

Project/Category Exclusions:

  • Animal welfare
  • General appeals or circulars
  • Campaigning or lobbying activities
  • Feasibility studies and social research
  • Professional training
  • One-off event staging
  • Gap year projects
  • Overseas exchange programmes
  • Summer/after-school children's activities
  • Local organisation core running costs (though reasonable management costs can be included in project budgets)
  • Cancer research and care
  • National helpline operations
  • Church worker salaries
  • Church restoration/repair (general rule with exceptions)

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees of the Beatrice Laing Trust:

  • Paula Joan Stephanie Blacker (Chair)
  • Christopher Maurice Laing
  • Charles William David Laing
  • Alexandra Catherine Beatrice Jane Gregory

Trust Director: Elizabeth Harley (based in St Albans)

Governance Structure: Each of the four Laing Family Trusts has an autonomous board of trustees who meet regularly, usually quarterly, to review applications. While independent, they share administration for economies of scale.

Founding Philosophy: As stated on their website: "Sir John was a devout Christian and member of the Brethren Movement; his Christian faith was the motivation for the Company's pioneering concern for the welfare of its staff." This philosophy of Christian-motivated practical philanthropy continues to guide the trust's work.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete the online eligibility quiz at www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Step 2: Download the application cover sheet (available after quiz completion)

Step 3: Prepare your application package including:

  • Completed cover sheet
  • Covering letter
  • Concise project proposal (3-4 pages) containing:
  • Project description
  • Identified need and difference the project will make
  • Project timeline
  • Detailed budget
  • Fundraising plan (including anticipated sources, funds secured, plans for shortfall)
  • Monitoring and evaluation arrangements
  • Most recent annual report
  • Audited or independently examined accounts
  • Stamped addressed envelope (C5 size)

Step 4: Post complete application to:

Laing Family Trusts

33 Bunns Lane

Mill Hill, London, NW7 2DX

Important Notes:

  • Applications must be by post only - email applications are not accepted
  • Applications are not acknowledged upon receipt
  • Address your application to “Laing Family Trusts” as a group
  • Apply before your project starts
  • Include reasonable management/overhead costs in your budget

Decision Timeline

  • Review Frequency: Trustees meet regularly, usually quarterly
  • Typical Response Time: 3-4 months from submission to decision
  • Notification Method: All applicants informed of outcome by letter
  • Additional Information: May be requested by phone during review process

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Reapplication Policy

Must wait 12 months from last payment before reapplying

  • Final progress report must be submitted before reapplying
  • A rejection from one Laing Family Trust applies to all four trusts
  • The trusts rarely fund projects 100%, so successful applicants should demonstrate a broader fundraising strategy

Application Success Factors

What the Trusts Value

Key Decision Factors (as stated on their website):

  • “Evidence of longer-term sustainability”
  • “Potential for replicability”
  • “Partnership working”

Project Focus: "Most grants are directed towards specific projects which will meet a clearly defined and demonstrable need within the applicant charity's beneficiary/client group which cannot be met from statutory sources."

Strategic Guidance

Funding Philosophy:

  • Capital and project funding is favoured over revenue/core costs
  • One-off grants for specific purposes (construction, redevelopment, equipment, vehicles)
  • Preference for projects addressing needs that cannot be met from statutory sources

Christian Faith Alignment:

  • The evangelical Christian faith is central to the Trust's mission
  • Particular emphasis on Christian organisations “expressing their faith through practical action”
  • Projects should demonstrate how they advance Christian faith and/or relieve poverty

Application Tips:

  • Complete the eligibility quiz first to ensure your project aligns
  • Keep proposal concise (3-4 pages) but comprehensive
  • Clearly demonstrate the need and the difference your project will make
  • Show evidence of sustainability beyond the grant period
  • Demonstrate partnership working where applicable
  • Include a realistic fundraising plan showing other sources
  • Contact grant staff by phone with questions before applying
  • Don't expect to receive full project funding - rarely fund 100%

Publicity and Recognition

The trusts “do not seek active publicity” but are happy to be listed in donor sections of annual reports.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Christian Alignment Essential: This is an evangelical Christian trust - your organisation's Christian ethos and how the project advances Christian faith should be clear in your application.
  1. Capital Projects Favoured: Focus on one-off capital needs (buildings, equipment, vehicles) rather than ongoing operational costs, though reasonable management costs can be included.
  1. Demonstrate Sustainability: Show how your project will continue beyond the grant period - evidence of longer-term sustainability is a key decision factor.
  1. Apply Early and Be Patient: With a rolling deadline and 3-4 month decision time, plan ahead. Apply before your project starts.
  1. One Application = Four Trusts: Your single application is automatically considered by all four Laing Family Trusts, potentially increasing your chances with varying grant ranges (£500-£25,000 across the family).
  1. Partnership and Replicability Matter: Demonstrate how your project involves partnership working and could be replicated elsewhere to strengthen your application.
  1. 12-Month Wait to Reapply: Submit a strong first application as you must wait 12 months from the last payment and submit a progress report before reapplying. A rejection applies to all four trusts.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

  • Garfield Weston Foundation
  • Motability
  • Francis C Scott Charitable Trust
  • The David Snowdon Trust
  • The Gatehill Trust
  • The John Gilpin Trust
  • Cullum Family Trust
  • The Willie And Mabel Morris Charitable Trust
  • The Martin Laing Foundation
  • The Proven Family Trust

References