The Cleaver Ordination Candidates Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £72,405 (2024)
• Decision Time: 2 weeks from deadline to trustee meeting
• Grant Range: £350 - £500
• Geographic Focus: UK-based with international support (Central/West Africa, Tanzania)
• Charity Number: 313473

Contact Details

Website: www.cleaver.org.uk

Email: clerk@cleaver.org.uk

Phone: 01328 821316

Postal Address:

The Revd Dr Harri Williams (Clerk)

The Vicarage, Church Street

Little Walsingham, Norfolk NR22 6BL

Overview

The Cleaver Ordination Candidates Fund, established in 1916 through the will of Mrs Friederica Frances Swinburne, supports Anglo-Catholic ordinands and clergy committed to a traditional understanding of the priesthood and historic episcopate. With annual giving of £72,405 (2024), the Fund provides book grants and educational support to promote sound theological learning amongst clergy throughout the Anglican Communion. Originally supporting only Oxford and Cambridge graduates, the Fund has evolved to support ordinands and clergy worldwide, with particular focus on theological formation and lifelong learning. The charity operates with 11 trustees and maintains a commitment to supporting vocations in the catholic tradition within Anglicanism.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Ordinand Book Grants: £500 per annum during training (rolling basis)
• First-Year Deacon's Grant: £350 for newly ordained clergy (rolling basis)
• Clergy Continuing Study Grants: Up to £500 for clergy ordained 10+ years (fixed deadlines)
• Academic Course Support: Variable amounts for theological research (fixed deadlines)
• Sabbatical Research Grants: Support for serious academic projects (fixed deadlines)
• Pastoral Assistant Scheme: Support for potential ordinands (rolling basis)
• Overseas Ordinand Support: Seminary fees/books via Roy Porter Fund (bishop application required)

Priority Areas

• Anglican ordinands in the Anglo-Catholic tradition
• Theological library development
• Post-ordination academic development
• Clergy continuing education and research
• Support for ordinands in Central Africa, West Africa, and Tanzania
• Pastoral Assistant schemes that encourage vocations

What They Don't Fund

• Liturgical books
• Mandatory course reading list books
• Books purchased before grant approval
• Applications from those outside the Anglo-Catholic tradition
• Ordinands with less than one term of training

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Governance and Leadership

Chairman: The Revd Dr Peter Anthony (since 2023)

Vice-Chairman: Mrs Claire Childs

Treasurer: Mr Michael Cooper

Clerk: The Revd Dr Harri Williams

Additional trustees include clergy and lay members committed to the Fund's mission. The Fund has demonstrated progressive governance, appointing its first female trustee in 1990 and first female chairman in 2001. Trustees retire at age 80, with leadership positions having structured terms of 5 years initially (maximum 11 years).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online via www.cleaver.org.uk. Ordinands submit:

• Ecclesiological statement on Anglican church within Universal Church
• Evidence of Anglo-Catholic tradition alignment
• Two references (tutor and tradition supporter)
• Detailed book list with costs

Clergy submit detailed forms including course proposals and financial information. Overseas applications must come through the ordinand's bishop.

Decision Timeline

2025 Deadlines and Meetings:

• 31 January (Meeting: 13 February)
• 2 May (Meeting: 14 May)
• 27 June (Meeting: 11 July)
• 7 November (Meeting: 19 November)

Decisions communicated shortly after quarterly trustee meetings.

Success Rates

The Fund notes “only a small proportion of ordinands apply for a book grant in each of their years of training, which they are perfectly entitled to do and which the Trustees would welcome,” suggesting good prospects for eligible applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Ordinands may apply annually throughout training. First-year deacons who received ordinand grants are eligible for additional support. No specified waiting period for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Critical elements based on Fund requirements:

1. Demonstrate Anglo-Catholic commitment: Your ecclesiological statement must clearly articulate belonging to “the traditional catholic understanding of the priesthood and episcopate” - generic Anglican statements insufficient

1. Select books strategically: Choose works of “lasting value for life-long study and reference” that support preaching and teaching ministry - avoid course lists or liturgical books

1. Ensure reference submission: Applications won't be considered until both references received - follow up with referees proactively

1. Show scholarly commitment: Demonstrate “continuing sound theological learning” with serious academic objectives

1. Apply at right time: Wait until completing one term of training for ordinand grants

1. Act quickly on approval: Grants lapse after six months - purchase books promptly and submit receipts

1. Take advantage of annual eligibility: Fund welcomes yearly applications during training, yet few ordinands utilize this

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Theological alignment is non-negotiable: Must demonstrate clear Anglo-Catholic commitment in ecclesiological statement
• Long-term funding relationship possible: Multiple grants available from ordinand training through clergy career
• Quarterly decision cycles: Plan applications around four annual deadlines for timely review
• International opportunities: Roy Porter Fund supports overseas ordinands through bishop applications
• Reference management critical: Both references required before consideration - manage proactively
• Underutilized funding: Fund explicitly welcomes more applications from eligible ordinands
• Book selection matters: Focus on lasting scholarly value, not immediate course needs

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Anglo-Catholic Ordination Candidates Fund
• St Boniface Trust
• St Augustine's Foundation
• ORDINATION CANDIDATES TRAINING FUND INCORPORATED TRUST LIMITED
• The Queen Victoria Clergy Fund
• Lord Crewe's Charity
• ST Hild and St Bede Trust
• LADY HEWLEY'S CHARITY
• Li Tim Oi Foundation
• HYMNS ANCIENT AND MODERN LIMITED

References

• The Cleaver Ordination Candidates Fund official website: https://cleaver.org.uk/
• Ordinands page: https://cleaver.org.uk/ordinands/
• Clergy page: https://cleaver.org.uk/clergy/
• Trustees page: https://cleaver.org.uk/trustees/
• History page: https://cleaver.org.uk/history/
• The Fund since 1976: https://cleaver.org.uk/the-fund-since-1976/
• UK Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=313473
• Giving is Great Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=313473