The Church Welfare Association (Incorporated)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £196,087 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: Up to £3,000
• Geographic Focus: National (UK-wide with preference for Church of England-linked charities)
• Charity Number: 209992

Contact Details

• Website: www.churchwelfareassociation.org.uk
• Registered Address: St Peter's Norbiton, London Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 6QL

Overview

The Church Welfare Association (Incorporated) was established in the 19th century to assist women involved in prostitution and has continued this mission for over a century. Incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 30 November 1910, the charity maintains a focused commitment to supporting work with women in sex work and assisting women and children at risk of such involvement.

The organisation is currently undergoing a significant rebranding to become The Rebecca Jarrett Fund (RJF), honouring Rebecca Jarrett (1846-1928), a Victorian woman with lived experience in the sex industry who became a pioneering advocate for women's welfare and rescue work. This rebranding reflects the charity's faith-based roots while highlighting a powerful historical narrative.

With total annual expenditure of £196,087 in 2024 (against income of £40,216), the charity draws down from its reserves to maintain its grant-making activities. The organisation operates as a pure grant-maker, with no employees and is governed by five trustees who serve without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

General Grants Programme: Up to £3,000 per grant

• Application method: Online via Google Form (rolling basis)
• Preference given to small charities with links to the Church of England

Priority Areas

The charity's formal charitable objects focus on:

• Promoting the support, care, welfare and/or rehabilitation of women and girls
• Supporting lone mothers and their children
• Assisting women and girls in moral danger

Specific areas of work funded include:

• Organisations supporting women involved in sex work
• Projects assisting women and children at risk of involvement in sex work
• Education and training programmes for vulnerable women
• Poverty relief initiatives for the target demographic
• Faith-based organisations working with vulnerable women

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the charity's very specific focus suggests they do not fund:

• General children's charities unrelated to their core mission
• Projects not focused on women and girls in vulnerable situations
• Large, well-funded national charities (preference is for small organisations)
• Capital projects or building work
• Organisations without some connection to the Church of England (preference, not absolute requirement)

Ready to write a winning application for The Church Welfare Association (Incorporated)?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save hours and increase your success rate.

Learn more >

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The charity is governed by five trustees who serve without remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity, demonstrating a commitment to maximising funds available for grant-making.

Governing Documents

The charity operates under its Memorandum and Articles of Association, originally incorporated on 30 November 1910, with amendments made through special resolutions in 1953, 1954, 1995, and 1999 under the Charities Act 1993.

How to Apply to The Church Welfare Association (incorporated)

How to Apply

The Church Welfare Association operates an open application process with applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Application Method: Online Google Form available through their website (churchwelfareassociation.org.uk)

Pre-Application Requirements:

• Applicants should review the charity's specific focus on women in sex work or at risk
• Preference is given to small charities with Church of England connections
• No pre-application contact appears to be required

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Given the charity's small trustee base and focused remit, applicants should anticipate decisions may take several weeks to months, depending on trustee meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Organisations should contact the charity directly to inquire about reapplication if unsuccessful or if seeking support for new projects.

Application Success Factors

Given the charity's very specific mission focus and long operational history, successful applications likely demonstrate:

1. Direct Mission Alignment: Projects must clearly support women involved in sex work or women and children at risk of such involvement. Generic women's welfare projects may not qualify.

1. Small Charity Status: The stated preference for “small charities” suggests organisations with modest budgets and local/regional reach are favoured over large national organisations.

1. Church of England Connection: While not an absolute requirement, having links to the Church of England - whether through governance, chaplaincy involvement, or faith-based approach - appears to strengthen applications significantly.

1. Clear Outcomes: Given the sensitive nature of the work funded, applications likely need to demonstrate appropriate safeguarding, trauma-informed approaches, and realistic outcomes for vulnerable women.

1. Modest Budget Requests: With a maximum grant of £3,000, successful applications likely focus on specific project elements, training costs, or pilot initiatives rather than core funding or large capital projects.

1. Evidence of Need: Demonstrating understanding of the specific vulnerabilities and needs of women in sex work, with evidence-based or experience-led approaches.

The charity's rebranding to honour Rebecca Jarrett - a woman with lived experience who became an advocate - suggests they may particularly value organisations that centre the voices and experiences of the women they serve.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Highly Specialised Funder: This is one of the UK's few charities exclusively focused on women in sex work. If your organisation works in this area, this funder is highly relevant despite modest grant size.

• Small Grants, Significant Impact: Maximum grants of £3,000 mean applications should focus on specific, achievable elements rather than comprehensive programme funding.

• Faith Connection Matters: The preference for Church of England-linked charities is explicit. Highlight any faith connections, chaplaincy involvement, or partnerships with Church of England parishes.

• Accessible Application: The online Google Form represents a low-barrier application process, making it suitable for small grassroots organisations without dedicated fundraising capacity.

• Mission-Driven Trustees: With five volunteer trustees overseeing a focused mission maintained for over a century, applications should demonstrate deep understanding of the complexities of supporting women in sex work.

• Rolling Applications: No fixed deadlines means organisations can apply when ready, allowing time for strong applications rather than rushed deadline submissions.

• Transitioning Identity: The rebranding to The Rebecca Jarrett Fund signals a recommitment to the charity's historical mission. Demonstrating knowledge of Rebecca Jarrett's story and the historical context of supporting vulnerable women may resonate with trustees.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Beatrice Laing Trust
• The Michael And Anna Wix Charitable Trust
• The Tula Trust Limited
• The Archer Trust
• The Ralph Levy Charitable Company Limited
• The A.d. Charitable Trust
• Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation
• The Peter Stebbings Memorial Charity
• The Grace Trust
• Kathleen Beryl Sleigh Charitable Trust

References

• Church Welfare Association Website -
• Charity Commission Register - Full Details for Charity 209992 -
• Companies House - The Church Welfare Association (Incorporated) -
• Wikipedia - Rebecca Jarrett - Background on namesake of rebrand
• East End Women's Museum - Unmade in Modern Babylon: The Life of Rebecca Jarrett - Historical context