The Matthew 25:35 Trust

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1121758
• Annual Giving: £105,000 (approx.)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales (UK and overseas projects)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Success Rate: Not publicly available

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 1077, Guildford, GU1 9HQ

Phone: 01483 232020

Email: matthew2535trust@gmail.com

Website: None

Note: The Trust does not have an official website. All inquiries should be directed to the email address or phone number above.

Overview

The Matthew 25:35 Trust was founded in 2007 as a charitable trust in the United Kingdom. Named after the biblical verse Matthew 25:35 (“For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink”), the Trust focuses on supporting charities that help people struggling with debt and poverty through Christian-faith-based initiatives.

With an annual income of approximately £105,000 (as of December 2024, compared to £93,360 in December 2023), the Trust makes grants to both charities and individuals who demonstrate effective operations and sustainable activities. The Trust is administered by eight trustees who serve on a voluntary basis, receiving no remuneration or benefits from the charity. The Trust emphasizes that the Christian message should be integral to all funded activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single grant program with the following characteristics:

• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000
• Project Duration: Up to 12 months
• Application Method: No specified closing dates (appears to operate on a rolling basis)
• Eligibility: UK registered charities and individuals

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on projects that combine Christian faith promotion with practical support:

• Poverty Relief: Supporting people struggling with financial hardship and poverty, both in the UK and overseas
• Debt Assistance: Programs addressing debt problems and financial vulnerability
• Christian Faith Promotion: Advancing religion through the promotion of the Christian faith
• Health Advancement: Prevention or relief of sickness, disease, or human suffering
• Sustainable Development: Promoting sustainable approaches to addressing social issues

Essential Requirement

The Christian message must be integral to the activity. This is a non-negotiable requirement for all grant applications. Projects must demonstrate how Christian faith is woven into their approach to supporting vulnerable people.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in available documentation, based on their charitable objectives, the Trust would likely not fund:

• Projects without a clear Christian faith element
• Secular poverty relief initiatives that do not incorporate Christian messaging
• Activities outside their core focus on poverty, debt, and Christian faith promotion

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Trust is governed by eight trustees, several of whom are members of the Mather family:

• Also serves as a trustee of The Church of England Pensions Board and Church of England Central Services

1. Mrs E J Mather - Trustee (appointed September 2017)

1. Rev N P Weldon - Trustee (appointed January 2009)

1. Mr N P Varley - Trustee (appointed January 2009)

1. Mrs A S Mather - Trustee (appointed March 2008)

1. Mrs F A Varley - Trustee (appointed March 2008)

1. Dr J D Weldon - Trustee (appointed March 2008)

1. Mr A P Mather - Trustee (appointed March 2008)

Governance Principles

• No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• The Trust has one volunteer in addition to the eight trustees
• No trading subsidiaries exist
• No employees receive benefits over £60,000

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust does not have a public website or online application portal. Based on available information:

• Contact Method: Applications should be submitted via email (matthew2535trust@gmail.com) or by post to their Guildford address
• Application Timing: No specified closing dates, suggesting a rolling application process
• Pre-Application Contact: Direct contact with the Trust is recommended to discuss project suitability

Application Requirements

While specific application forms are not publicly available, the Trust evaluates proposals based on:

1. Relevance: How well the project aligns with the Trust's objectives
2. Effectiveness: Evidence of operational effectiveness and capability
3. Sustainability: Demonstration of long-term viability and impact
4. Christian Integration: Clear articulation of how Christian faith is integral to the activity

Decision Timeline

No specific information is publicly available about the typical timeframe from application to decision. Applicants should contact the Trust directly to inquire about current processing times.

Reapplication Policy

No specific information is available about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants. It is advisable to contact the Trust directly if considering reapplication.

Application Success Factors

While the Trust does not publish detailed guidance for applicants, the following factors are emphasized in their charitable objectives and can guide application development:

Key Success Factors

1. Christian Faith Integration: The most critical factor is demonstrating how the Christian message is integral to your work. Applications must show genuine integration of faith into poverty relief activities, not just token religious references.

1. Clear Focus on Poverty and Debt: Projects must directly address financial hardship, poverty, or debt-related issues. The Trust's name derives from Matthew 25:35, emphasizing practical help for those in need.

1. Demonstrated Effectiveness: The Trust specifically looks for evidence of “operational effectiveness.” Include concrete outcomes, success metrics, and evidence of your organization's capability.

1. Sustainability: Projects must demonstrate long-term viability. Show how the project will continue to have impact beyond the grant period (which can be up to 12 months).

1. Project Relevance: Clearly articulate how your project aligns with the Trust's specific mission of advancing Christian faith while relieving poverty and suffering.

1. Realistic Budgets: With grants ranging from £1,000 to £10,000, ensure your request and budget are proportionate to your organization's size and the project scope.

Geographic Considerations

• The Trust supports projects in the UK (specifically England and Wales) and overseas
• Being based in Guildford (South East region) does not appear to be a geographic requirement for applicants
• Both UK domestic and international projects are within scope

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Faith is Central: Do not apply unless you can genuinely demonstrate how Christian faith is integral to your poverty relief work. This is the Trust's core requirement.

• Small-Scale Focus: With grants of £1,000-£10,000, this funder is suitable for smaller projects or specific components of larger programs. Position your request accordingly.

• No Online Presence: The Trust operates without a website, suggesting a traditional, relationship-based approach. Direct communication via email or phone is essential.

• Limited Public Information: Success rates, decision timelines, and detailed application procedures are not publicly available. Contact the Trust early in your planning process to understand current priorities and procedures.

• Trustees' Religious Connections: The Chair's involvement with the Church of England Pensions Board suggests strong Church of England connections, though the Trust appears to support broader Christian charitable work.

• Rolling Applications: With no specified deadlines, plan your application timing based on your project needs and allow adequate time for trustee review.

• Demonstrate Impact: With limited information about competition levels, focus on clearly demonstrating your operational effectiveness and the sustainability of your approach to helping people in poverty.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• HESED TRUST
• THE MACDAIBHIDH CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE S M B TRUST
• Seedfield Trust
• The Brownlee Charitable Trust
• The Grace Trust
• THE A S CHARITABLE TRUST
• Stobart Newlands Charitable Trust
• THE ALMOND TRUST
• Grimsdale Charitable Trust

References

• The Charity Commission, “Charity overview, THE MATTHEW 25 35 TRUST - 1121758,” Register of Charities, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1121758

• The Charity Commission, “Trustees, THE MATTHEW 25 35 TRUST - 1121758,” Register of Charities, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4035400/trustees

• Bath and North East Somerset Council, “The Matthew 25:35 Trust,”, https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/88758

• Charity Choice, “The Matthew 25 35 Trust | Climate Change - Environment Charities,” Charity Directory, https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-matthew-25-35-trust-36644