The Conveyancing Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £98,327 (year ending May 2024)
• Total Fundraising Facilitated: Over £1.2 million since inception
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £2,000
• Decision Cycle: Quarterly reviews
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Charity Number: 1161310
• Founded: 2015

Contact Details

General Inquiries:

• Phone: 01633 261794
• Email: info@conveyancingfoundation.org.uk

Partnership Inquiries:

• Email: jsmith@conveyancingfoundation.org.uk

Address:

Maxwell Chambers

34-38 Stow Hill

Newport

South Wales

NP20 1JE

Website: https://www.conveyancingfoundation.org.uk

Overview

The Conveyancing Foundation is a registered charity (established 2015) that serves as the conveyancing profession's leading not-for-profit organization, dedicated to enhancing the lives of those in the property industry. Over the past 10 years, the Foundation has facilitated the raising of over £1.2 million for charities, community projects, and charitable causes through its flagship Charity Lotto program and other initiatives. The Foundation operates with a zero-profit model, ensuring every penny raised goes toward charitable purposes or promoting wellbeing in the conveyancing industry. No trustees receive remuneration. In 2025, celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Foundation launched a special £10,000 Charity Grant Pot and expanded National Conveyancing Week into National Conveyancing Month. Under new leadership with three Co-Chairs appointed in 2025—Jess Smith, David Opie, and Rob Hailstone—the Foundation continues to focus on charitable fundraising, mental health support, and industry wellbeing through three main initiatives: Charity Lotto, Be Kind We Care (mental health and wellbeing), and the Charity Grant Scheme.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Charity Grant Scheme

• Grant Amount: £1,000 - £2,000 per grant
• Launched: 2023
• Application Method: Online application form (takes less than 10 minutes to complete)
• Award Cycle: Quarterly reviews with rolling applications accepted year-round
• Description: Provides grants to property industry professionals who are undertaking fundraising activities for registered charities. Grants are paid directly to the nominated registered charity to boost fundraising efforts.

Mental Health First Aider Grant

• Grant Amount: Up to £2,000
• Purpose: Facilitates Mental Health First Aider training for staff members in legal practices
• Application Method: Through the Foundation's website
• Award Cycle: Quarterly reviews

10th Anniversary Special Grant (2025)

• Total Pot: £10,000
• Individual Grants: Up to £1,000 each
• Purpose: Support fundraising efforts and community initiatives within the property industry

Priority Areas

The Charity Grant Scheme supports:

• Property industry professionals undertaking fundraising challenges or events
• Registered charities nominated by conveyancers, solicitors, estate agents, and other property professionals
• Fundraising activities that demonstrate community engagement and social responsibility
• Mental health and wellbeing initiatives within legal practices

Recent Grant Recipients (2024):

• Ruth Jago (Levi Solicitors)
• Lewis Thomas (Rockinghorse Children's Charity)
• Lorna Hook (British Heart Foundation)
• Simon David (Kambia District Foundation)
• Alex Edley (The Stroke Association)
• Jenny Hirst (A Lung charity)
• Jill White (Motor Neurone Disease Association)

2023 Recipients:

• Jessie Bishop (London Marathon for Mind)
• Aconveyancing (It's a Knockout event for Samuel's Promise)
• Women in Residential Property (Ella's charity)

What They Don't Fund

• Applications from individuals outside the property/conveyancing industry
• Direct project funding for charities (grants support individual fundraisers, not charity operations)
• Organizations that are not registered charities
• Individuals not undertaking active fundraising activities

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees and Co-Chairs (as of 2025)

Co-Chairs:

• Jess Smith: COO of the Conveyancing Foundation; Operations Director at Convey Law & Convey365
• David Opie: Managing Director of Today's Media Group
• Rob Hailstone (Bertie): Founder of Bold Legal Group; Co-Founder and Chairman of VacantC

Other Trustees:

• Laura Burkinshaw
• Abby Bater
• Sam Hawking

Total Trustees: 7 (as of 2024 filing)

Ambassadors

• Lynne Hailstone
• Elizabeth Rimmer
• Sarah Brown
• Simon Brown
• Natalie Moore

Key Leadership Quotes

Rob Hailstone stated: "I am thrilled to accept the role of Foundation Ambassador, and to join the conveyancing industry's efforts in raising funds for such a worthy cause. It is truly an honour to be part of a community that is dedicated to making a positive impact on people's lives. With the fundraising total set to exceed £1m this year, I am eager to inspire more conveyancing firms and conveyancers to get involved and support this important cause. The Foundation's fundraising concept is brilliant in its simplicity, and I am confident that, together, we can reach even greater heights."

David Opie emphasized: “The work the Conveyancing Foundation does in keeping mental health and well-being at the forefront of the industry is so important… Law is not a traditionally forgiving place to work but with strategies like Be Kind We Care in place, and by providing practical coping methodologies, we can create a better working environment for all those involved in the property industry.”

Lloyd Davies (former chairman) said of the new leadership team: “I am delighted to welcome Jess, David and Rob to Co-Chair the Foundation. They make a formidable team, and I look forward to supporting them in their endeavours to make our industry a better place for all concerned over the coming years.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Charity Grant Scheme:

1. Application takes less than 10 minutes to complete
2. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year

Mental Health First Aider Grant:

• Apply through the Foundation's website
• Demonstrate how the training will benefit staff in your legal practice

Contact for Assistance:

• Email: info@conveyancingfoundation.org.uk
• Phone: 01633 261794

Decision Timeline

• Review Cycle: Quarterly reviews of all applications
• Notification: Selected winners are contacted promptly after each quarterly review
• Grant Payment: Grants are paid directly to the nominated registered charity

Success Rates

In the first year of operation (2023), the Charity Grant Scheme attracted numerous applications each quarter, leading to four deserving fundraisers receiving grants of up to £2,000 each for their respective charities per quarter. While specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, the scheme has consistently awarded multiple grants each quarter since launch.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation operates on a rolling application basis with quarterly reviews. There is no stated restriction on reapplication, though priority is given to new fundraising initiatives and applicants who have not previously received grants.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors Based on Funder Documentation:

1. Property Industry Connection: Applicants must be actively working in the conveyancing, legal, or property sector. This is a non-negotiable eligibility requirement.

1. Active Fundraising Initiative: The Foundation seeks applicants who are undertaking specific fundraising challenges or events, not just general charity support. Recent successful applicants included marathon runners, charity events organizers, and challenge participants.

1. Registered Charity Status: The beneficiary organization must be a registered charity. The Foundation pays grants directly to charities, not to individual fundraisers.

1. Community Impact: Applications that demonstrate how the fundraising effort will benefit the community and align with the Foundation's mission of “enhancing lives” appear to be favorably viewed.

1. Clear Fundraising Goal: Successful applications provide specific details about the fundraising activity, target amount, and how the grant will boost their efforts.

1. Diversity of Causes: Recent grant recipients have supported a wide range of charitable causes (mental health, children's health, medical research, international development), suggesting the Foundation values diversity in the charities supported rather than favoring specific sectors.

Funding Pattern Analysis:

Reviewing 2024 recipients shows grants supporting both major national charities (British Heart Foundation, Stroke Association) and smaller specialized organizations (Rockinghorse Children's Charity, Kambia District Foundation), indicating applications from both are equally viable.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Industry-Specific Eligibility: This grant scheme is exclusively for property industry professionals. If your organization is seeking funding, you'll need a property/conveyancing sector champion to apply on your behalf.

• Fundraiser-Focused, Not Project-Focused: Unlike traditional grant-makers, the Foundation supports individuals undertaking fundraising activities, not organizational projects. The application comes from the fundraiser, not the charity.

• Quick and Accessible Process: The application form takes less than 10 minutes, making this one of the most accessible grant schemes for eligible applicants.

• Quarterly Opportunities: With rolling applications and quarterly reviews, there are four opportunities per year to secure funding—apply early in any quarter for consideration.

• No Charity Type Restrictions: The Foundation has funded diverse causes from mental health to international development, suggesting they're open to supporting any registered charity through their fundraising champions.

• Relationship Building: The Foundation values partners and supporters—law firms and property companies already engaged with the Foundation through the Charity Lotto or as Partners may have stronger applications.

• Alignment with Mental Health Focus: Given the Foundation's strong emphasis on mental health and wellbeing (through Be Kind We Care), fundraising for mental health charities or incorporating wellbeing themes may resonate particularly well.

References

1. The Conveyancing Foundation official website - https://www.conveyancingfoundation.org.uk -
2. Charity Grant Scheme page - https://www.conveyancingfoundation.org.uk/charity-grants -
3. About Us page - https://www.conveyancingfoundation.org.uk/about-us/ -
4. Grant Recipients page - https://www.conveyancingfoundation.org.uk/winners/ -
5. Charity Commission Register - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1161310 -
6. Inside Conveyancing: “Conveyancing Foundation applications for Charity Grant Scheme” - https://insideconveyancing.co.uk/news/conveyancing-foundation-applications-charity-grant-scheme/ -
7. Inside Conveyancing: “Conveyancing Foundation charity grants: Apply now!” - https://insideconveyancing.co.uk/news/conveyancing-foundation-charity-grants-apply-now-to-2000-support/ -
8. Inside Conveyancing: “Conveyancing Foundation new leadership enhanced calendar 2025” - https://insideconveyancing.co.uk/news/conveyancing-foundation-announces-new-leadership-enhanced-calendar-events-2025/ -
9. Today's Conveyancer: “Three new Ambassadors and final chance to have your say” - https://todaysconveyancer.co.uk/three-new-ambassadors-and-final-chance-to-have-your-say-the-conveyancing-foundation/ -
10. Convey Law: “The Conveyancing Foundation: What Is It?” - https://conveylaw.com/charity/the-conveyancing-foundation-its-foundation-and-development/ -