The Kirby Laing Foundation

Charity Number: 264299

Annual Expenditure: £3.0M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Website: www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Phone: 020 8238 8890

Email: info@laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2.2 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Typically 4 months
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £25,000 (with capacity for larger grants)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (plus Nepal and Bangladesh for overseas development)

Contact Details

Address: The Laing Family Trusts, 33 Bunns Lane, Mill Hill, London, NW7 2DX

Website: www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Email: info@laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Phone: 020 8238 8890

Pre-Application Support: Applicants are encouraged to contact grant staff by phone to discuss proposals before applying. No pre-application meetings are offered.

Overview

The Kirby Laing Foundation was established in 1972 by Sir Kirby Laing, grandson of Sir John Laing who founded the international construction company John Laing plc. With an endowment fund generating approximately £2.2 million in annual income, the Foundation supports UK-registered charities and exempt churches across five distinct funding streams. The Foundation operates as one of four trusts under the Laing Family Trusts umbrella, sharing administration but maintaining independent grant-making decisions. In a recent strategic shift, the Trustees discontinued their capital spend-down programme and are currently reviewing and refining grant-making priorities while maintaining focus on their five core areas: evangelical Christian faith, health and social care for aging populations, developing talent in performing arts, overseas development in Nepal and Bangladesh, and science and engineering innovation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation makes grants across five main funding streams:

1. Promotion of the Evangelical Christian Faith

  • Theological education and training (UK focus)
  • Practical application and Christian ethics projects
  • Innovative projects nurturing Christian faith in ages 13-30
  • Support for English Cathedrals enhancing sustainability, access, and Christian outreach
  • Grants awarded on one-off or phased basis (typically over 3 years)

2. Health & Social Care – Advancing Education & Welfare in Ageing

  • Development of innovative and sustainable models of care for older people
  • Programmes supporting education and training of health professionals in ageing and age-related conditions
  • End-of-life care improvements
  • Particular emphasis on dementia, stroke, and neuro-degenerative diseases
  • Notable support for the Extending Frailty Care programme

3. Developing Talent in the Performing Arts (Music & Theatre)

  • Programmes with national or regional focus
  • Reaching children and young people from diverse backgrounds
  • Identifying and nurturing talent in music, opera, or drama
  • Projects with clearly identified pathways for progression and routes into the profession
  • Improving access for young people and the disabled

4. Overseas Development Projects

  • Sustainable and replicable projects improving quality of life for people with disabilities
  • Primarily in Nepal and Bangladesh
  • Must be developed in collaboration with local communities

5. Science & Engineering Innovation

  • Fund currently under development
  • Focus on education and youth development in STEM
  • Vocational training in traditional crafts

Application Method

  • Rolling basis: Applications accepted throughout the year without fixed deadlines
  • Submission: Postal applications only (email applications not accepted)
  • Process: Complete eligibility quiz online, download cover sheet, submit with covering letter and 3-4 page proposal
  • Coordinated approach: Single application automatically considered by all four Laing Family Trusts

Priority Areas

  • Capital projects (purchase/construction of premises, extensions, redevelopment, refurbishment)
  • Equipment and vehicle purchases
  • Projects with evidence of long-term sustainability
  • Projects with potential for replication
  • Partnership working initiatives
  • Projects addressing demonstrable needs

What They Don't Fund

Organizational Exclusions:

  • Charities registered overseas
  • Umbrella or grant-making organizations
  • State maintained or independent schools (except special needs)
  • Hospices without strong local connection
  • NHS hospital trusts
  • Sports clubs
  • Individuals

Project/Activity Exclusions:

  • Animal welfare
  • General appeals
  • Campaigning or lobbying activities
  • Feasibility studies and social research
  • Professional training
  • One-off event costs
  • Gap year projects
  • Summer/after-school children's activities
  • Core running costs for local organizations
  • Cancer research and care
  • National helpline operations
  • Church worker salaries (including children & family workers, youth workers, worship leaders, outreach workers)
  • Church restoration/repair (including roofs, spires, organs, bells, wall paintings)
  • Core operational costs
  • 100% of project costs (matched funding expected)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Rev. Charles Edward Burch (Chair)
  • Frederick Terence Wyndham Weller
  • Lewis Simon Webley
  • Alison Claire Laing

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Foundation Background

The Foundation traces its origins to Sir John Laing, a devout Christian and member of the Brethren Movement who founded the international construction company in 1952. His Christian faith motivated pioneering concern for staff welfare and the establishment of the first Laing grant-making trust. Sir Kirby Laing, his grandson, established this Foundation in 1972 with the intention that both income and capital could be applied for general charitable purposes. Successive generations of the Laing family have built on Sir John's example of Christian philanthropy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Submit: Post the complete application package to the address above (email applications not accepted)

Important: An application to the Laing Family Trusts is considered as an application to all four trusts. Your application will automatically be directed to the most appropriate trust(s).

Decision Timeline

  • Trustee Meetings: Quarterly
  • Typical Response Time: Within 4 months of receipt
  • Notification Method: All applicants informed of outcome via letter
  • Acknowledgment: Due to high volume, applications are not acknowledged upon receipt

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation notes that “very few unsolicited applications” are successful, particularly for certain trusts within the family. The Foundation received income of £2.22 million in 2023 and made charitable expenditure of £2.98 million.

Reapplication Policy

For Successful Applicants:

  • Wait 12 months from date of last payment before making a fresh application
  • Must submit final progress and impact report before re-applying

For Unsuccessful Applicants:

  • Wait at least 18 months before making a fresh application
  • A rejection is sent on behalf of all Laing Family Trusts, so applicants cannot reapply to individual trusts separately during this period

Application Success Factors

Key Requirements

  1. UK Registration Essential: Only UK-registered charities or churches with exempt status are eligible
  2. Matched Funding Expected: “The Laing Family Trusts expect UK registered charities and churches to have sought and secured matched funding prior to applying”
  3. Capital Over Revenue: Capital or project funding is strongly favoured over revenue funding
  4. Sustainability is Critical: "Evidence of longer-term sustainability is an important factor in the Trustees' decision-making"
  5. Clear Need Demonstration: Projects must address demonstrable needs
  6. Reasonable Management Costs: While core costs are rarely funded, reasonable management/overhead costs can be included in project budgets

Strategic Alignment

  • Projects should align clearly with one of the five funding streams
  • For Christian faith projects: Focus on practical application, innovative approaches to 13-30 age group, or cathedral enhancement
  • For performing arts: National/regional programmes with clear progression pathways
  • For health & social care: Innovative models of care, training programmes, or focus on dementia/stroke/neuro-degenerative diseases
  • For overseas development: Must be collaborative with local communities in Nepal or Bangladesh
  • Partnership working and potential for replication enhance applications

Application Tips

  • Phone First: Contact grant staff by phone to discuss your proposal before submitting
  • Be Realistic About Funding Level: Set out total project cost and let Trustees determine funding level rather than requesting 100%
  • Keep It Concise: Proposals should be 3-4 pages maximum
  • Show Sustainability: Demonstrate how the project will continue beyond grant funding
  • Avoid Core Costs: Frame requests around specific capital purchases or project costs, not ongoing operational expenses
  • Timing: The Trustees will rarely fund a project in full, so ensure other funding is secured before applying
  • Retrospective Funding: Prefer to apply in advance, though retrospective funding may be considered in some circumstances

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Applying for core operational costs or ongoing project delivery
  • Requesting funding for excluded areas (check exclusions list carefully)
  • Submitting applications by email (postal only)
  • Applying without matched funding already secured
  • Including church worker salaries or church restoration costs
  • Targeting individual trusts separately (applications are coordinated across all four)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. One Application, Four Trusts: Your single application is automatically considered by all four Laing Family Trusts, maximizing your chances while minimizing effort. Don't apply separately to individual trusts.
  1. Capital Projects Are King: This Foundation strongly favours one-off capital grants for buildings, equipment, or vehicles over revenue/operational funding. Frame your request accordingly.
  1. Matched Funding is Non-Negotiable: Secure other funding sources before applying. The Trustees expect to see matched funding already committed and will rarely fund a project in full.
  1. Sustainability Wins: The Trustees prioritize projects demonstrating long-term sustainability beyond the grant period. Show your exit strategy and long-term viability clearly.
  1. Phone Before You Write: Take advantage of their willingness to discuss proposals by phone. This pre-application conversation can save time and increase your chances of success.
  1. Patience Required: With quarterly trustee meetings and a 4-month typical response time, plan your application timeline accordingly. Don't expect quick decisions.
  1. Strategic Alignment is Essential: Ensure your project fits squarely within one of their five funding streams with clear evidence of how you advance their specific goals in that area (e.g., for Christian faith projects, focus on innovative approaches for young people or theological education; for performing arts, demonstrate clear progression pathways).

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References