The Christopher Laing Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £400,000+
• Success Rate: ~17% (1 in 6 applicants)
• Decision Time: Up to 6 weeks for successful applications
• Grant Range: £500 - £50,000
• Geographic Focus: Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire (national charities operating in these counties considered)

Contact Details

Website: www.christopherlaingfoundation.com

Email: info@christopherlaingfoundation.com

Phone: 020 7832 4900

Address: 13th Floor, 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ

Overview

Established on 9th July 1979, The Christopher Laing Foundation is a grant-making charitable trust that embodies the legacy of Sir John Laing (1879-1978), founder of an international construction company and devout Christian philanthropist. With annual grant distribution exceeding £400,000, the foundation focuses on supporting registered charities primarily in Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire. The foundation's mission encompasses youth and education, homelessness, disabilities, and environmental conservation work, with particular priority given to organizations supporting disabled adults. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation has been actively engaged in community reconstruction efforts within its target regions. The foundation is governed by six trustees who receive no remuneration and who maintain regular grants to certain charities with historical connections.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Large Grants: £1,000 - £50,000 per year

• Vary according to individual applicant requirements
• Available for both capital and revenue costs
• Support specific projects and general running/core costs
• Many recipients receive continued support over multiple years
• Rolling applications reviewed monthly

Small Grants: £500 - £1,000 (typically £1,000)

• Made only to registered charities in Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire
• Reviewed on a monthly basis
• No email or telephone correspondence for small grant queries

Priority Areas

• Disabled Adults (primary priority)
• Children and Young People
• Social Welfare and Health
• Youth and Education
• Homelessness
• Environmental Conservation Work

What They Don't Fund

• Charities operating outside Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire are “unlikely to be successful”
• More than one application per charity per annum is not permitted

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Governance and Leadership

Founder and Chair: Christopher Maurice Laing OBE DL (appointed 1979)

• Retired from John Laing plc in 2002
• Former Chairman of Eskmuir Properties Limited
• High Sheriff of Hertfordshire in 2001
• Former chairman of National Playing Fields Association

Trustees:

• Christopher Laing
• Diana Laing
• John Keeble
• Michael Laing
• Richard Haines
• Carla Laing

All six trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Complete the full online application form available at christopherlaingfoundation.com/apply
• Applications reviewed monthly (submissions typically sent to trustees at end of each month)
• All submissions will be considered
• Provide comprehensive project details including deadlines, specific spending plans, and whether project is ongoing or one-time

Required Information:

• Organization details and registered charity number
• Financial information from most recent accounts (income, expenditure, net income, assets, free reserves)
• Project description (maximum 150 words)
• Total project cost and funding sources
• Evidence of fundraising efforts
• Safeguarding policy confirmation and update date

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet regularly throughout the year to review applications
• Only successful applications receive a response within 6 weeks
• No response within 6 weeks indicates an unsuccessful application

Success Rates

• Historical success rate: approximately 1 in 6 applicants (17%)
• Trustees acknowledge they “cannot fund all eligible applications” due to “limited resources”

Reapplication Policy

• Charities should apply only once per annum
• No explicit waiting period mentioned for unsuccessful applicants, but annual limit applies

Application Success Factors

Critical Alignment Factors:

• Geographic location: Must operate in or serve Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire
• Priority given to organizations supporting disabled adults
• Clear evidence of active fundraising efforts is essential

Application Advice from the Foundation:

• Provide comprehensive, detailed project descriptions
• Include specific information about project deadlines
• Clearly outline spending plans
• Specify whether the project is ongoing or one-time
• Demonstrate how your organization fits within their priority areas

Organizations They've Supported:

• London's Air Ambulance Charity
• Sue Ryder
• National Emergencies Trust
• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Groundwork East
• Fields in Trust
• Livability

Why Applications Succeed:

• Clear alignment with priority areas (especially disabled adults)
• Operating or serving Hertfordshire/Oxfordshire communities
• Demonstrable fundraising activity
• Comprehensive project detail with specific outcomes
• Organizations may receive continued support over many years if successful

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is non-negotiable: Charities outside Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire are “unlikely to be successful” – ensure your work clearly serves these counties
• No news is bad news: Only successful applicants are contacted within 6 weeks; no response means rejection
• Competition is high: With a ~17% success rate, applications must be exceptionally well-aligned with priorities and clearly demonstrate impact
• Disabled adults are the top priority: If your work supports disabled adults in addition to other beneficiary groups, emphasize this strongly
• One chance per year: Plan your application carefully as you can only apply once annually
• Show your fundraising efforts: Trustees want evidence that you're actively seeking funding from multiple sources
• Think long-term: Many successful applicants receive continued support over years, so building a relationship through an initial grant could lead to ongoing funding

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The London Marathon Charitable Trust Limited
• The Grace Trust
• THE HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND
• The Wimbledon Foundation
• THE FEBRUARY FOUNDATION
• The Dulverton Trust
• THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION
• P F Charitable Trust
• Robert Luff Foundation Limited
• PEACOCK CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE SIMON GIBSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• Baron Davenport's Charity
• THE DAVIS FOUNDATION
• Broome Family Charitable Trust
• THE DAVID FAMILY FOUNDATION
• DORIS FIELD CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE ARDWICK TRUST
• GIVE OUT
• THE LINDER FOUNDATION
• THE FULMER CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• The Christopher Laing Foundation Official Website - About Page. https://www.christopherlaingfoundation.com/about
• The Christopher Laing Foundation - How to Apply. https://www.christopherlaingfoundation.com/apply
• The Christopher Laing Foundation - FAQs. https://www.christopherlaingfoundation.com/faqs
• The Christopher Laing Foundation - Who We Help. https://www.christopherlaingfoundation.com/who-we-help
• UK Charity Commission - The Christopher Laing Foundation (Charity No. 278460). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/278460
• Charity Commission Financial Records showing total income of £478,336 and total expenditure of £604,057 for financial year ending April 5, 2024