The Inlight Trust

Charity Number: 236782

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

Stay updated on changes from The Inlight Trust and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £260,000 - £322,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Estimated £5,000 - £25,000
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 2, Liss, Hampshire, England, GU33 6YP

Email: applications@truelight.org.uk

Phone: 07970 540015

Overview

The Inlight Trust is a long-established UK grant-making charity, founded in 1957 and registered with the Charity Commission in 1965 (charity number 236782). With an annual income of approximately £371,000 and grant-making expenditure typically ranging from £260,000 to £322,000, the Trust operates on an undenominational basis to further charitable religious activities and organisations throughout the UK. The Trust made 14 grants totalling £265,000 in its 2017-18 financial year, with an average grant size of approximately £19,000. The Trust has a demonstrated history of supporting faith-based community projects, including long-term relationships with beneficiaries such as Othona West Dorset, which received its first grant in 2008 and a £25,000 grant in 2019 for the Four Seasons Studio project.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Inlight Trust operates a single grant-making program focused on religious charitable activities. Grants typically range from an estimated £5,000 to £25,000, though specific grant tiers are not publicly documented. The Trust distributes approximately 14 grants annually, with total annual grant-making of £260,000-£322,000.

Application Method: Applications accepted via email to applications@truelight.org.uk. The application process, timelines, and deadlines are not publicly documented and should be confirmed by contacting the Trust directly.

Priority Areas

  • Religious activities and organisations on an undenominational basis
  • Faith-based community projects and initiatives
  • Charitable organisations with religious purposes
  • Spiritual and religious education programmes
  • Faith community infrastructure and facilities

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Given the Trust's clear focus on religious charitable activities, it is reasonable to assume grants are restricted to organisations with religious purposes. Applicants should contact the Trust directly to confirm eligibility.

Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for The Inlight Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

The Inlight Trust is governed by a board of six trustees who serve without remuneration. The Trust operates as a charitable trust, with governing documents including a Trust Deed dated 12 June 1957 and a Supplemental Deed dated 26 April 1960.

Current Trustees (as of 2024)

  • Judy Hayward - Chair
  • Paul Summerfield - Trustee (appointed July 2020)
  • Stephen George Ellis Collins - Trustee (appointed March 2020)
  • Shirley Vening - Trustee (appointed February 2018)
  • Jane Ann Dunham - Trustee (appointed June 2015)
  • Sharon Kelly Knight - Trustee (appointed October 2013)

The Trust has no employees and no trading subsidiaries, operating entirely through its volunteer trustee board.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted by email to applications@truelight.org.uk. The Trust does not provide detailed public guidance on application requirements, formats, or supporting documentation.

Prospective applicants are advised to contact the Trust directly to:

  • Confirm eligibility and alignment with funding priorities
  • Request application guidelines and required documentation
  • Discuss project proposals before submitting formal applications
  • Clarify any questions about the application process

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly documented. Applicants should enquire about expected timeframes when making initial contact with the Trust.

Success Rates

The Trust made 14 grants totalling £265,000 in its 2017-18 financial year. The total number of applications received is not publicly available, so success rates cannot be calculated. However, the relatively small number of grants awarded annually suggests the application process is competitive.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust's reapplication policy is not publicly documented. However, the Trust has demonstrated willingness to support organisations on multiple occasions, as evidenced by Othona West Dorset receiving grants in both 2008 and 2019. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the Trust directly to discuss reapplication possibilities.

Application Success Factors

While the Trust does not publish detailed guidance on what makes a successful application, the following factors can be inferred from available information:

Alignment with Religious Purpose: The Trust's charitable objects specifically focus on “the furtherance of charitable religious activities and organisations on an undenominational basis.” Applications must clearly demonstrate religious charitable purposes.

Undenominational Approach: The Trust operates on an undenominational basis, suggesting they welcome applications from diverse faith traditions rather than focusing on a single denomination.

Long-term Impact: The Trust has shown willingness to support organisations over extended periods (e.g., Othona West Dorset received grants in 2008 and 2019), suggesting they value sustainable, long-term projects.

Community Benefit: Funded projects like the Four Seasons Studio at Othona West Dorset demonstrate the Trust's interest in infrastructure and facilities that serve faith communities.

Realistic Budgets: With an average grant size of approximately £19,000 and known grants of £25,000, applications should request amounts that align with the Trust's typical giving patterns.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Establish contact early: With limited public information about application processes, direct communication with the Trust is essential before submitting applications.
  • Emphasize religious charitable purpose: All applications must clearly demonstrate alignment with the Trust's focus on religious activities and organisations.
  • Highlight undenominational approach: The Trust specifically operates on an undenominational basis, so demonstrate how your work serves broader religious community benefit.
  • Request appropriate amounts: Based on available data, grants typically range from £5,000 to £25,000, with an average around £19,000.
  • Build relationships for the long term: The Trust's track record of repeat funding suggests they value ongoing relationships with effective organisations.
  • Demonstrate community impact: Projects that create lasting infrastructure or sustainable programmes for faith communities appear to align with the Trust's interests.
  • Be patient with the process: With no published timelines or deadlines, allow adequate time for application review and decision-making.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

Data privacy and security by default

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Inlight Trust fund?

Grant Programs The Inlight Trust operates a single grant-making program focused on religious charitable activities. Grants typically range from an estimated £5,000 to £25,000, though specific grant tiers are not publicly documented.

How much funding does The Inlight Trust provide?

The Inlight Trust provides grants ranging from Estimated £5,000 - £25,000, with total annual giving of approximately £260,000 - £322,000.

Is The Inlight Trust a registered charity?

Yes, The Inlight Trust is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 236782). They primarily serve organisations in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Throughout England And Wales.

How do I apply to The Inlight Trust?

How to Apply Applications should be submitted by email to applications@truelight. org. uk.

Where is The Inlight Trust based?

The Inlight Trust is based in England. They fund organisations in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Throughout England And Wales.