The Slavanka Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~£251,000 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed at trustee meetings held 3 times per year
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 per application
• Geographic Focus: UK and international

Contact Details

• Website: www.theslavankatrust.org
• Email: secretary@theslavankatrust.org (applications) / john@familyowen.com (general enquiries)
• Phone: 07977 913559
• Application Method: Email only (no postal applications accepted)

Overview

The Slavanka Trust is a Christian grant-making charity established in 2006 following the sale of The Bournemouth Conference Centre, with origins dating back to 1998 as a charitable company. The Trust takes its name from a house called “Slavanka” (meaning “place of glory”) in Southbourne, Bournemouth, which was originally purchased by Madame Tchertkoff and became a Christian Conference Centre in 1921.

When the Conference Centre closed in 2006, the net proceeds were divided between a grant-making invested fund and a partnership fund. The Trust now provides financial and professional support to Christian ministries, focusing on the establishment and running of Christian Conference Centres, residential Christian activities, and Christian education both in the UK and internationally. Due to its historical connection with Scripture Union (SU), projects connected to SU receive a degree of priority. The Trust operates with approximately £173,000 annual income and £251,000 in grant expenditure (2024), indicating it draws from invested reserves to support its grant-making activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Standard Grants: Up to £5,000 per application
• Partnership Fund: For collaborative ventures with other Christian organisations in residential ministry

Priority Areas

• Christian Conference Centres (establishment and operation)
• Residential Christian activities
• Christian education provision
• Scripture Union projects (given historical priority)
• Both UK and international Christian ministry

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations that are not UK registered charities or charitable trusts
• Projects whose objectives do not align with The Slavanka Trust's charitable objects
• Organisations unwilling to affirm the Trust's evangelical Statement of Faith
• Individuals (grants are made to organisations only)
• Non-Christian activities or secular projects

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (7 members):

• Rev John Harold Simmons (Chair) - Former Chairman of Scripture Union who was approached in 1995 regarding the original Conference Centre
• Rev Rupert Shelley (appointed 24 April 2023)
• David Cook (appointed 14 December 2022)
• Rachel Frances Dowdy (appointed 18 September 2012)
• Paul Vere Lindon (appointed 18 September 2012)
• Nicola Coombs
• Richard William Henry Barker

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The Trust originated from trustees appointed both from within Scripture Union and from outside the organisation.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by email to secretary@theslavankatrust.org. The Trust does not issue an application form but requires:

1. Grant application (maximum 4 sides of A4)
2. Half-page summary
3. Project budget
4. Latest audited annual accounts
5. Names and email addresses of two UK-based independent referees
6. Details of other funding sources being sought
7. Information on future grant applications planned

Important: Applications must be in PDF or Word format. Postal applications are not accepted.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a UK registered charity or charitable trust
• Charitable objects must meet all or a significant part of The Slavanka Trust's objects
• Must agree fully with the Trust's Statement of Faith (evangelical Christian beliefs including: Trinitarian theology, Christ's divinity and virgin birth, Biblical authority, and gospel proclamation)

Decision Timeline

Trustees meet three times per year with the following deadlines:

• Meeting: 15 September 2025 - Application deadline: 15 August 2025
• Meeting: 8 December 2025 - Application deadline: 8 November 2025
• Meeting: 27 April 2026 - Application deadline: 27 March 2026

Applications are processed on a first-come-first-served basis with maximum capacity limits per meeting.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated on website.

Application Success Factors

Based on The Slavanka Trust's stated priorities and requirements:

• Statement of Faith alignment is mandatory: All applicants must confirm that their organisation agrees fully with the Trust's evangelical Statement of Faith. Applications from organisations that cannot affirm this will not be considered.

• Scripture Union connection gives priority: Due to the historical relationship, projects connected to Scripture Union receive a degree of priority. Applicants with SU affiliations should highlight this connection.

• Focus on residential Christian ministry: The Trust specifically funds Christian Conference Centres and residential activities. Projects that directly relate to these areas are most likely to succeed.

• Christian education is a core focus: Projects providing Christian education align well with the Trust's objectives.

• Comprehensive application materials: The Trust requests detailed information including budgets, audited accounts, and references, indicating they conduct thorough due diligence.

• UK and international scope: While the Trust operates from the UK, they explicitly support ministry “both in the UK and around the world.”

• Professional presentation: Applications should be concise (maximum 4 pages) with a clear half-page summary, demonstrating the applicant's ability to communicate effectively.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Evangelical faith alignment is non-negotiable: Your organisation must be able to fully affirm the Trust's Statement of Faith covering orthodox evangelical Christian beliefs.

• Maximum grant is £5,000: Budget your requests accordingly; larger projects will need additional funders.

• Scripture Union connection is advantageous: If your organisation has any connection to SU or its work, highlight this prominently.

• Apply early for each meeting: Applications are processed first-come-first-served with capacity limits, so submit well before the deadline.

• Email-only applications: Do not send postal applications - they will not be processed.

• Prepare comprehensive documentation: Have audited accounts, referees, and a clear budget ready before applying.

• Focus on Christian residential ministry and education: Projects that clearly fit within these categories have the strongest alignment with the Trust's mission.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Smith Bradbeer Charitable Trust
• Quothquan Trust
• The Church Schools of Cambridge (The Old Schools)
• THE 1989 WILLAN CHARITABLE TRUST
• FOWLER SMITH AND JONES TRUST
• St Peter's, Saltley Trust
• The Benham Charitable Settlement
• D L M Charitable Trust
• The Chalk Cliff Trust
• The Grace Trust

References

• The Slavanka Trust Official Website - Primary source for application guidelines, Statement of Faith, meeting dates, and grant requirements..

• Charity Commission - THE SLAVANKA TRUST (1072342) Full Print - Financial data, trustee information, governance details..

• Charity Commission - Governance Page - Trustee appointments and governance structure..

• Giving is Great - Charity Factsheet - Financial trend analysis and overview..

• Evangelical Alliance - Grant-Making Trusts List - Confirmation of active grant-making status..