The Dick Lucas Trust

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1074445
• Annual Income: £15,849 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £95,862 (2024)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK and beyond (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, USA)
• Operating Structure: Private trust - trustee discretion

Contact Details

Address: 28 Franconia Road, London SW4 9ND

Phone: 07770 806 501

Website: None

Email: Not available

Note: The trust does not have a website or public email contact. Contact is by phone only.

Overview

The Dick Lucas Trust was established in 1999 (by Declaration of Trust dated 20th November 1998, amended by supplemental deed dated 30th January 1999) to advance the Christian faith for the benefit of people in the United Kingdom and beyond. The trust specifically focuses on the proclamation and teaching of the Word of God and the continuing training of those engaged in or preparing to engage in Christian ministry.

Named after Revd Dick Lucas, the prominent evangelical Anglican minister who served as Rector of St Helen's Bishopsgate, London from 1961 to 1998, the trust reflects his lifelong commitment to biblical exposition and training ministers. Dick Lucas founded the Proclamation Trust in 1986 and helped establish the Cornhill Training Course in 1991, which has trained over 1,500 people for ministry worldwide.

The trust operates as a small, private grant-making charity with modest income (£15,849 in 2024) but substantially higher expenditure (£95,862 in 2024), suggesting it draws on capital reserves to fund its grant-making activities. With four trustees and one volunteer, it operates without paid staff, and trustees receive no remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Dick Lucas Trust operates through discretionary grant-making rather than structured grant programs. According to the Charity Commission records, the trust makes grants both to individuals and to organisations.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Christian ministry and ministerial training
• Proclamation and teaching of Scripture
• Training those engaged in or preparing for Christian ministry

Documented Support Areas:

• Religious activities
• Support to other charities and voluntary bodies
• Ministry to the general public
• Culture and art (within Christian context)
• Humanitarian and disaster relief
• Non-profit and charitable work
• Poverty alleviation

Geographic Scope:

• Throughout England and Wales
• Northern Ireland
• United States
• Other international locations as needed

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the trust's charitable purposes are clearly focused on Christian faith, biblical teaching, and ministerial training. Applications outside these areas would likely not align with the trust's objectives.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Revd W T Taylor (William Taylor)

• Rector of St Helen's Bishopsgate, London (since 1998)
• Joined St Helen's in 1995, became Rector following Dick Lucas
• Author of several books including 'Partnership', 'Understanding the Times', 'The Word One to One', 'Revolutionary Sex', and 'Revolutionary Work'
• Former British Army Officer (Royal Green Jackets)
• Also serves as trustee of The St Peter-upon-Cornhill Trust, St Antholin's Lectureship Charity, The Parochial Church Council of St Helen's Bishopsgate, and Bible Matters

James Linforth

• Appointed: 28 October 2013
• Also serves as trustee of Aldersgate and Moorgate Talks Trust and Emmanuel Church Canterbury

Vighnesh Padiachy

• Appointed: 28 February 2019
• Chair of Trustees at Grace Church Bath
• Also serves as trustee of Grace Church Bath and Friends of Home from Home (UK)

Rev Edward Piers Bickersteth

• Appointed: 19 March 2019
• From the prominent Bickersteth family with long evangelical Anglican heritage

Governance Structure

The trust operates under a Declaration of Trust with no employees. The four trustees manage all grant-making decisions at their discretion. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, and there are no employees earning over £60,000. The trust has no trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Dick Lucas Trust does not have a public application process. This is a private trust where grants are made at the discretion of the trustees. The trust does not appear on lists of grant-making trusts accepting public applications, including the Evangelical Alliance's comprehensive list of Christian grant-makers.

Grants appear to be awarded through:

• Trustee initiative and discretion
• Pre-existing relationships with the trustees or St Helen's Bishopsgate network
• Personal knowledge of individuals or organisations engaged in Christian ministry and training

Getting on Their Radar

Given the trust's close connection to St Helen's Bishopsgate and the evangelical Anglican network, potential beneficiaries might consider:

Network Connections:

• The trustees are deeply connected to St Helen's Bishopsgate, one of London's leading evangelical Anglican churches
• Connections to the Proclamation Trust and Cornhill Training Course networks may be relevant
• Other trustee connections include Emmanuel Church Canterbury, Grace Church Bath, Bible Matters, and various evangelical trusts

Ministry Alignment:

• Demonstrable commitment to biblical exposition and teaching
• Engagement in ministerial training or preparation for ministry
• Work that aligns with Dick Lucas's legacy of faithful biblical preaching and training

Geographic Presence:

• While UK-focused, the trust has supported work in Northern Ireland and the United States
• Connection to evangelical Anglican networks in these regions

Note: Given the private nature of the trust and lack of public application process, unsolicited approaches are unlikely to be successful. The trust appears to identify and support beneficiaries through the trustees' existing networks and relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a small trust operating on trustee discretion, decisions are likely made as opportunities arise rather than on a fixed schedule.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the trust does not accept public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the trust does not have a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Understanding This Trust's Unique Character

The Dick Lucas Trust operates very differently from typical grant-making trusts. Success in receiving support is not about crafting a compelling application but about alignment with the trust's values and connection to its network.

Key Alignment Factors

Theological and Ministry Alignment:

• Commitment to biblical exposition and teaching Scripture faithfully
• Evangelical Anglican theological perspective (though not exclusively Anglican)
• Focus on training those engaged in Christian ministry
• Emphasis on "expounding the Bible as God's Word for today" (the Proclamation Trust motto that reflects Dick Lucas's legacy)

Connection to the Trust's Network:

• St Helen's Bishopsgate and its extended network
• The Proclamation Trust and Cornhill Training Course alumni and affiliates
• Evangelical Anglican churches and organisations known to the trustees
• Bible Matters and related ministries

Ministry Characteristics:

• Work that advances Christian faith through proclamation and teaching
• Training and equipping those in ministry
• Biblical fidelity and theological soundness
• Servant-hearted leadership development

Dick Lucas's Legacy and Values

Understanding Dick Lucas's approach to ministry provides insight into the trust's priorities:

Teaching Philosophy:

Dick Lucas is renowned for his expository preaching and commitment to letting Scripture speak. As one source notes, “With John Stott, J.I. Packer and others, Lucas was a key figure in shaping the conservative evangelical movement in the United Kingdom during the 20th century.”

Training Focus:

Lucas founded the Proclamation Trust in 1986 to train ministers in biblical exposition. The Cornhill Training Course, which he helped establish in 1991, has trained over 1,500 people who have gone on to preach worldwide. The trust's focus on “continuing training of those engaged in or to engage in such ministry” directly reflects this priority.

Humble Service:

Lucas served St Helen's Bishopsgate for 37 years (1961-1998), building it from a small congregation to a thriving church known for biblical teaching. He continued preaching into his late 90s, with his last formal talk given in October 2024 at age 99.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not a trust you can apply to - The Dick Lucas Trust operates as a private grant-making charity without a public application process
• Network matters - The trust operates through the trustees' connections to St Helen's Bishopsgate and the wider evangelical Anglican network
• Modest but strategic - Despite small annual income (£15,849), the trust maintains significant expenditure (£95,862), suggesting strategic use of capital for important causes
• Training focus - The trust's emphasis on “continuing training of those engaged in or to engage in ministry” makes ministerial training a key priority
• Biblical fidelity - Alignment with Dick Lucas's legacy of faithful biblical exposition and teaching is central
• International scope - While UK-focused, the trust has supported work in Northern Ireland and the United States, showing willingness to fund beyond England and Wales
• Long-term relationships - As a trust operating on trustee discretion, the trustees likely support individuals and organisations they know personally or through trusted recommendations

For Researchers and Grant Seekers:

If your organisation is seeking funding for Christian ministry or training work, the Dick Lucas Trust is unlikely to be a viable funding source unless you have existing connections to the trustees or the St Helen's Bishopsgate network. Instead, focus on grant-making trusts with public application processes, such as those listed by the Evangelical Alliance or Benefact Trust, which welcome applications from Christian charities and ministries.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• HESED TRUST
• The Brownlee Charitable Trust
• Grimsdale Charitable Trust
• THE ALMOND TRUST
• Forest Hill Charitable Trust
• THE MACDAIBHIDH CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE A S CHARITABLE TRUST
• Stobart Newlands Charitable Trust
• Fieldsdene Trust
• The James Grace Trust

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Dick Lucas Trust (Charity Number 1074445): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3957557
• Charity Commission - “What, who, how, where” details for The Dick Lucas Trust: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/sector-data/top-10-charities/-/charity-details/3957557/what-who-how-where
• Charity Commission - Trustees of The Dick Lucas Trust: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/constituency-search/-/charity-details/3957557/trustees
• Fundraiso - The Dick Lucas Trust profile: https://www.fundraiso.com/en/organisations/the-dick-lucas-trust
• Charity Choice - The Dick Lucas Trust: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-dick-lucas-trust-75296
• Wikipedia - Dick Lucas (minister): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Lucas_(minister)
• St Helen's Bishopsgate - Dick Lucas resources: https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/dick-lucas/
• St Helen's Bishopsgate - William Taylor talks: https://www.crosspreach.com/speaker/1/william_taylor
• The Proclamation Trust information: https://dougvos.com/proclamation-trust/
• Gospel Patrons - The Proclamation Trust: https://www.gospelpatrons.org/media/the-proclamation-trust/
• Grace Church Bath - Leadership: https://www.gracechurchbath.org/leadership
• Evangelical Alliance - List of grant-making trusts accepting applications from Christian charities: https://www.eauk.org/list-of-grant-making-trusts-and-organisations-that-are-taking-applications-from-christian-charities