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
• Founded: 1910

Contact Details

• Website: www.churchwelfareassociation.org.uk
• Email: secretary@churchwelfareassociation.org.uk
• Phone: 3003021122
• Registered Address: 45 The Avenue, Southampton, SO17 1XP

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. Founded 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 organization is currently undergoing a significant rebranding to become The Rebecca Jarrett Fund (RJF), honoring 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 organization operates as a pure grant-maker, with no employees and is governed by seven trustees who serve without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

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

• Currently open for applications (as of October 2025)
• 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:

• Organizations supporting women involved in sex work
• Projects assisting women and children at risk of involvement in sex work
• Education and training programs for vulnerable women
• Poverty relief initiatives for the target demographic
• Faith-based organizations 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 organizations)
• Capital projects or building work
• Organizations without some connection to the Church of England (preference, not absolute requirement)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (as of latest records)

The charity is governed by seven trustees:

• Lorraine Clare Briffitt - Chair (appointed July 2022)
• Laura Swan (appointed January 2025)
• Josephine Knowles (appointed September 2024)
• Rev Hugo Foxwood (appointed September 2024)
• Natalie Jones (appointed January 2024)
• Madelaine Thomas-Goddard (appointed February 2012)

All trustees serve without remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity, demonstrating a commitment to maximizing 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.

Application Process and Timeline

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. However, with annual expenditure of approximately £196,000 and maximum grants of £3,000, the charity likely makes approximately 60-70 grants per year, suggesting a competitive but accessible process for organizations working in their specific niche.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Organizations 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 organizations with modest budgets and local/regional reach are favored over large national organizations.

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 honor Rebecca Jarrett - a woman with lived experience who became an advocate - suggests they may particularly value organizations that center the voices and experiences of the women they serve.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Highly Specialized Funder: This is one of the UK's few charities exclusively focused on women in sex work. If your organization 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 program 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 organizations without dedicated fundraising capacity.

• Mission-Driven Trustees: With seven 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 organizations 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.

References

• Church Welfare Association Website -
• Charity Commission Register - Full Details for Charity 209992 -
• Charity Commission - Trustees Information 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