The Maurice And Hilda Laing Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??1.15 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Typically 4 months
• Grant Range: ??5,000 - ??25,000 (occasionally larger)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide and Sub-Saharan Africa

Contact Details

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

Website: www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Email: info@laingfamilytrusts.org.uk

Phone: 020 8238 8890

Note: Applications cannot be submitted by email - postal applications only. The Trust does not hold pre-application meetings but applicants may telephone to discuss elements of their application.

Overview

The Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust was established in 1996 as part of the Laing Family Trusts, which trace their origins to Sir John Laing, a devout Christian and founder of an international construction company. The Trust operates as one of four grant-making trusts under shared administration (alongside the Beatrice Laing Trust, Kirby Laing Foundation, and Martin Laing Foundation). With total expenditure of ??1.15 million in 2023, the Trust has a specifically Christian focus and makes most grants to or through faith-based organisations. The Trust's mission encompasses advancing the Christian faith worldwide, supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable populations in the UK, and relieving poverty overseas, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Trust prioritises capital and project funding over revenue funding, with a strong emphasis on projects demonstrating long-term sustainability, potential for replicability, and partnership working.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: ??5,000 - ??25,000 (rolling basis)

• Applications accepted year-round with no fixed deadlines
• Trustees meet quarterly to review applications
• Capacity to make occasional larger grants beyond the typical range
• One application serves all four Laing Family Trusts automatically

Special Initiatives: ??1,000 grants

• Example: Church-based Warm Spaces programme (up to 25 grants of ??1,000 each)

Priority Areas

1. Advancing Christian Faith

• Innovative 'fresh expressions' of church and pioneer ministries
• Nurturing children and young people in the Christian faith
• Supporting oppressed Christian communities overseas

2. Supporting Vulnerable People in the UK

• Families and young people at risk
• Prisoners and ex-offenders, particularly women in the justice system
• Homeless individuals
• Refugees and asylum seekers

3. International Poverty Relief

• Sub-Saharan Africa focus (low-income countries)
• Supporting street children
• Services for people with disabilities
• Educational and livelihood opportunities

Funding Types Preferred

• Capital projects (buildings, extensions, refurbishment, equipment, vehicles)
• Project funding (one-off or phased over three years, often tapering)
• The Trust “rarely funds a project in full” - expect part-funding
• Reasonable management/overhead costs can be included in project budgets

What They Don't Fund

Organisational Exclusions:

• Charities registered overseas (UK registered charities only)
• Umbrella or grant-making organisations
• State maintained or independent schools (except special educational needs)
• Hospices (unless strong local connection exists)
• NHS hospital trusts and medical care establishments
• Sports clubs
• Individuals (for education, travel, or medical purposes)

Project Category Exclusions:

• Animal welfare
• General appeals
• Campaigning or lobbying activities
• Feasibility studies and social research
• Professional training
• One-off event costs
• Gap year projects
• Summer or after-school activities
• Local organisation core running costs
• Cancer research and care
• National helpline operations
• Salaries of church workers (children & family workers, youth workers, worship leaders, outreach workers)
• Church restoration or repair (including roofs, spires, organs, bells, wall paintings)
• Core operational costs (though management costs can be included in project budgets)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• Stephen John Haines Ludlow - Chairman
• Andrea Jane Currie - Trustee
• Paul Michael van den Bosch - Trustee
• Simon David Martle - Trustee
• Charles William David Laing - Trustee

Across the Laing Family Trusts:

• Edward Charles Kirby Laing - Co-Chair (Martin Laing Foundation)
• Alexandra Catherine Beatrice Jane Gregory - Co-Chair (Martin Laing Foundation)
• Elizabeth Harley - Trust Director (shared administration)

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust operates within a coordinated administrative framework shared across all four Laing Family Trusts, allowing for economies of scale while maintaining distinct charitable objectives.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete Eligibility Quiz

• Available on www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk
• Download application cover sheet after completion

Step 2: Prepare Application Materials

• Complete the downloaded cover sheet
• Write a covering letter
• Prepare 3-4 page concise project proposal including:
• Project description and the need it addresses
• Project timeline
• Detailed budget
• Fundraising plan (showing other funding sources)
• Monitoring and evaluation arrangements

Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents

• Most recent annual report
• Audited or independently examined accounts
• C5 stamped addressed envelope
• Optional supporting documents if relevant

Step 4: Submit by Post

• Post to: Laing Family Trusts, 33 Bunns Lane, Mill Hill, London, NW7 2DX
• Important: Applications by email are NOT accepted
• Note: No standard application form exists; follow the guidance above

Decision Timeline

• Review Process: Rolling basis throughout the year
• Trustee Meetings: Quarterly
• Notification: Typically within 4 months of application receipt or last correspondence
• Method: All applicants informed of outcome via letter
• Acknowledgement: Applications are not individually acknowledged upon receipt; the Trust will contact you if additional information is needed

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed by the Trust. Due to the large volume of applications received, competition for funding is significant.

Reapplication Policy

For Unsuccessful Applicants:

• A rejection is sent on behalf of all four Laing Family Trusts
• No specific waiting period mentioned for unsuccessful applicants

For Previous Grant Recipients:

• Must wait 12 months from the date of last payment before reapplying
• Must submit final progress and impact report before submitting a new application
• The Trust welcomes relationships with organisations and has supported some charities for many years (e.g., The Nehemiah Project since 1998)

Application Success Factors

Key Decision-Making Criteria:

The Trust emphasises that "evidence of longer-term sustainability, potential for replicability and partnership working are important factors in the Trustees' decision-making."

Strategic Alignment:

• Explicitly Christian ethos or connection to faith-based work
• Clear demonstration of need that cannot be met from statutory sources
• Projects showing environmental and financial sustainability
• Innovation in delivering Christian ministry or social support

Application Timing:

• Apply before the project starts (preferred)
• Allow sufficient time for the 4-month decision process

Financial Presentation:

• Include comprehensive fundraising plan showing other funding sources
• Remember the Trust “rarely funds a project in full” - show matched funding
• Include reasonable management/overhead costs in project budget
• Capital projects particularly favoured (buildings, refurbishment, equipment, vehicles)

Project Examples - Successfully Funded:

• The Nehemiah Project: ??25,000 over two years for Supported Housing Programme (long-term relationship since 1998)
• Church-based Warm Spaces: ??1,000 grants to churches providing community support
• Chailey Heritage School: Capital funding for Dream Centre facility

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Applying for core running costs or church worker salaries
• Submitting applications by email (postal only)
• Failing to demonstrate Christian connection or faith-based approach
• Not showing how the project will be sustained beyond the grant period
• Requesting full project funding without other sources identified

Building Relationships:

• While pre-application meetings are not offered, telephone discussions about application elements are welcomed
• Grant-holders can develop long-term relationships with the Trust
• The Trust is happy to be acknowledged in donor lists and annual reports

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Christian focus is essential - This Trust specifically supports faith-based organisations and projects advancing Christian values; secular projects are unlikely to succeed
• Capital projects have advantage - Strong preference for one-off capital grants (buildings, equipment, vehicles) over revenue/operational funding
• Part-funding is the norm - The Trust “rarely funds a project in full,” so demonstrate matched funding and diverse income streams
• Sustainability matters - Trustees prioritise long-term financial and environmental sustainability, replicability, and partnership working
• Allow time for decision - With quarterly trustee meetings and 4-month typical timelines, plan applications well in advance of project start dates
• One application covers all - Single application is automatically considered by all four Laing Family Trusts, increasing chances of success
• Postal applications only - No email submissions accepted; budget time for postal delivery and follow the specified format precisely
• Include overheads strategically - While core costs aren't funded, reasonable management costs within project budgets are acceptable and should be included

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Northamptonshire Community Foundation
• The Kirby Laing Foundation
• The Beatrice Laing Trust
• Souter Charitable Trust
• SOURCE OF HOPE LIMITED
• Bryan Guinness Charitable Trust

References

• Laing Family Trusts official website - Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust page: https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/maurice-hilda-laing-charitable-trust/ (accessed 13 October 2025)
• Laing Family Trusts - What We Fund: https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/what-we-fund/ (accessed 13 October 2025)
• Laing Family Trusts - How to Apply: https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/how-to-apply/ (accessed 13 October 2025)
• Laing Family Trusts - Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/faq/ (accessed 13 October 2025)
• Laing Family Trusts - Exclusions: https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/what-we-fund/exclusions/ (accessed 13 October 2025)
• Charity Commission Register - The Maurice and Hilda Laing Charitable Trust (1058109): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1058109&subId=0 (accessed 13 October 2025)
• Funding Scotland - The Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust: https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000003htznEAA/the-maurice-hilda-laing-charitable-trust (accessed 13 October 2025)
• The Nehemiah Project - Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust case study: https://www.tnp.org.uk/portfolio/maurice-hilda-laing-charitable-trust/ (accessed 13 October 2025)