The Martin Laing Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £425,000 (2024/25)
• Success Rate: Very low for unsolicited applications
• Decision Time: 3-4 months
• Grant Range: £500 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: Norfolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire (UK); Malta and Thailand (invitation only)

Contact Details

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

Phone: 020 8238 8890

Email: info@laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Website: www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Note: Applications are not accepted by email. All applications must be posted.

Overview

The Martin Laing Foundation was established in 1979 by Sir Martin Laing (who passed away in December 2023) with the intention that income should be distributed for general charitable purposes. The Foundation operates as one of four grant-making trusts administered under the Laing Family Trusts umbrella. With an annual charitable expenditure of approximately £425,000, the Foundation focuses on environmental and conservation work, and social welfare projects benefiting vulnerable populations. The Foundation takes a selective approach to grant-making, with a strong preference for invited applications and established relationships. Caring for the environment remained Sir Martin Laing's enduring interest throughout his life.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single grant program with a rolling application process:

• Small Capital Grants: £500 - £10,000 (one-off or phased over up to 3 years)
• Focus: Environmental/conservation projects and social welfare initiatives
• Application Method: Rolling basis, no fixed deadlines
• Important Note: Very few unsolicited applications are successful

Priority Areas

Environmental and Conservation Work

• Environmental protection projects
• Conservation initiatives
• Projects reflecting the late founder's lifelong commitment to environmental causes

Social Welfare Projects in the UK

• Preventing or alleviating homelessness
• Supporting the elderly, infirm, and their carers
• Supporting disadvantaged young people
• Small capital grants to local charities in Norfolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire

International Projects (Invitation Only)

• Social welfare and cultural projects in Malta
• Social welfare and cultural projects in Thailand

Types of Capital Projects Funded

• Purchase or construction of new premises
• Property extension, redevelopment, or refurbishment
• Equipment purchases
• Vehicle purchases

What They Don't Fund

• Charities registered overseas (except Malta and Thailand by invitation)
• Umbrella or grant-making organizations
• State maintained or independent schools (except special needs schools)
• Hospices without strong local connection
• NHS hospital trusts and medical establishments
• Sports clubs
• Individuals (for education, travel, or medical purposes)
• Animal welfare projects
• General appeals or circulars
• Campaigning or lobbying activities
• Feasibility studies and social research
• Professional training
• One-off event costs (festivals, conferences)
• Gap year projects and overseas exchanges
• Summer/after-school children's activities
• Local organization core running costs
• Cancer research and care
• National helpline operations
• Church worker salaries
• Church restoration or repair (with limited exceptions)

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

• Edward Charles Kirby Laing (Co-Chair)
• Alexandra Catherine Beatrice Jane Gregory (Co-Chair)
• Lady Stephanie Stearn Laing
• Nicholas John Gregory
• Charlotte Elizabeth Laing Gregory
• Robert Paul Girdlestone

The Foundation is governed by 7 trustees who meet quarterly to review applications and make funding decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: Very few unsolicited applications to the Martin Laing Foundation are successful. The Foundation strongly prefers invited applications and projects that come to trustees' attention through existing relationships.

For Those Applying:

• Project description and the need it addresses
• The difference the project will make
• Project timeline
• Detailed budget
• Fundraising plan (sources of funding, funds secured, plans for shortfall)
• Monitoring and evaluation arrangements

• Application cover sheet
• Covering letter
• Project proposal (3-4 pages)
• Most recent annual report
• Audited or independently examined accounts
• Stamped addressed envelope (C5 size)

Mail to: Laing Family Trusts, 33 Bunns Lane, Mill Hill, London, NW7 2DX

Critical Notes:

• Applications are NOT accepted by email
• Applications are not individually acknowledged
• One application is treated as an application to all four Laing Family Trusts
• Trustees rarely fund a project in full
• Include reasonable management/overhead costs in your budget

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Quarterly
• Decision Time: Applicants typically receive an outcome within 4 months of application receipt or last correspondence
• Notification: By letter
• Site Visits: May occur if additional information is needed

Success Rates

The Foundation explicitly states that “very few unsolicited applications are successful.” No specific percentage is published, but this language suggests a success rate well below 10% for unsolicited applications. The Foundation operates primarily through invited applications and trustee-initiated grants.

Reapplication Policy

• Grant-holders must wait 12 months from the date of their last payment before making a fresh application
• A final progress and impact report must be submitted before reapplying
• If an application is rejected, the rejection applies across all four Laing Family Trusts

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Insights:

1. Relationship-Based Funding: The Foundation's explicit statement that “very few unsolicited applications are successful” indicates that relationship-building and invited applications are critical. Projects that come to trustees' attention through existing networks have significantly higher success rates.

1. Geographic Specificity: For social welfare projects, strong preference is given to initiatives in Norfolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire. Applications from these regions should emphasize local impact and community connections.

1. Environmental Focus: Given Sir Martin Laing's lifelong commitment to environmental causes, environmental and conservation projects appear to be a core interest area. Applications should demonstrate strong environmental outcomes.

1. Capital Over Revenue: The Foundation focuses on “small capital grants to local charities,” indicating a clear preference for one-off capital investments over ongoing operational support.

1. Realistic Funding Requests: Trustees “rarely fund a project in full,” so applications should demonstrate diverse funding sources and realistic expectations. Don't ask the Foundation to be your sole or primary funder.

1. Local Scale: With grants typically between £500-£10,000, the Foundation supports small, local initiatives rather than large-scale national programs.

1. Budget Flexibility: The guidance notes that “Trustees may select specific budget items to fund,” so applications should present itemized budgets with clearly separable components.

1. Concise Communication: The requirement for a 3-4 page proposal (not longer) indicates a preference for clear, concise applications focused on demonstrable need and practical impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Very selective: The Foundation's warning that “very few unsolicited applications are successful” means cold applications have minimal chance of success. Focus on relationship-building first.
• Geographic targeting: If you're not working in Norfolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, or Bedfordshire (for social welfare) or on environmental/conservation issues, your chances are extremely limited.
• Small grants only: With a maximum of £10,000 and typical grants much smaller, this Foundation is only suitable for small capital purchases, not major projects.
• Long-term strategy: The 12-month reapplication waiting period and quarterly trustee meetings mean this is not a quick funding source. Plan well in advance.
• Postal applications only: No email submissions are accepted, and applications are not acknowledged, so keep copies and proof of postage.
• Unified review: Your application goes to all four Laing Family Trusts simultaneously—a rejection from one means rejection from all, but it also means potential access to different funding streams.
• Capital focus: Frame your request around specific capital needs (equipment, vehicles, building work) rather than general support or running costs.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Geoffrey Watling Charity
• THE BADUR FOUNDATION
• The Tudwick Foundation
• The Shanly Foundation
• FOWLER SMITH AND JONES TRUST
• Essex Community Foundation
• The Connolly Foundation (UK) Limited
• James Marshall Foundation CIO
• LILIAN FRANCES HIND BEQUEST (TRUSTEES OF LADY HIND)
• THE MRS SMITH AND MOUNT TRUST

References

• Martin Laing Foundation official page: https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/martin-laing-foundation/
• Laing Family Trusts application guidelines: https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/how-to-apply/
• Laing Family Trusts funding priorities: https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/what-we-fund/
• Laing Family Trusts exclusions: https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/what-we-fund/exclusions/
• Laing Family Trusts FAQs: https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/faq/
• Charity Commission register entry for The Martin Laing Foundation (278461): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=278461&subid=0
• Sir Martin Laing obituary: https://johnlaingcharitabletrust.com/sir-martin-laing-cbe-18-1-1942-27-12-2023/