The Society Of Retreat Conductors

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £275,363 (2023-24 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Requires application submission at least 1 month before retreat/course start
• Grant Range: Individual grants (amount not specified) - £17,000 (project grants)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
• Application Type: Rolling basis

Contact Details

• Website: www.thesrc.org.uk
• Email: redingtonkathy@hotmail.com
• Phone: 07979 157603
• Address: St Mary's Church, 30 Bourne Street, London, SW1W 8JJ
• Administrator: Kathy Redington

Overview

The Society of Retreat Conductors was established in 1924 as a group of priests of Anglo-Catholic tradition who shared a common discipline and purpose to study the Spiritual Exercises, train retreat leaders, give retreats in the Ignatian tradition, and run retreat houses. The charity is now an ecumenical body of experienced retreat givers who welcome all retreat givers and spiritual directors willing to work within an Ignatian ethos. The organization ran its own retreat house, Stacklands, in Kent between 1940 and 2005. With total expenditure of £275,363 in the 2023-24 financial year, the SRC continues its mission to promote and enable training for conducting retreats and the ministry of spiritual direction within the tradition of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola. The charity operates with 8 trustees and 4 volunteers, with no paid employees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants

• For those undergoing training in Ignatian spirituality
• For individual guided retreats
• For the giving of the Spiritual Exercises
• Grant amount not specified publicly
• Application method: Rolling basis, email applications preferred

Project Grants

• Up to 50% of project costs
• Maximum of £17,000 for group projects
• For Ignatian weekends
• For weeks of accompanied prayer
• For initiatives with Ignatian content
• Application method: Rolling basis, downloadable application form required

Special Initiatives

• 50% grants for retreats at The Coach House in Kilmuir
• Support for creative projects that aid spirituality, especially for marginalized individuals

Priority Areas

• Training in Ignatian spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises
• Spiritual direction training and practice
• Retreats in the Ignatian tradition
• Projects supporting marginalized individuals in spiritual development
• Creative initiatives that enhance spirituality
• Programs at The Coach House, Kilmuir (specific partnership focus)

What They Don't Fund

• Those living in religious communities (explicitly excluded from individual grants)
• Projects outside the UK (limited to UK residents)
• More than one application per applicant within a 12-month period
• Projects without Ignatian content or connection to the Society's mission

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees/Directors

• Revd Preb Nicholas Helm - Director (appointed January 2023)
• Father Lister Tonge - Director (appointed October 2024), Priest
• Kathryn Anne Redington - Secretary and Administrator (appointed March 2007)

The Society is registered as a charitable company (Company Number 00221066) and was incorporated on 7 April 1927. The charity has 8 trustees in total and operates with 4 volunteers but no paid employees.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individual Grants:

1. Download and complete the individual grant application form from www.thesrc.org.uk
2. Ensure you have completed an 8-day individually accompanied retreat
3. Demonstrate regular spiritual direction experience
4. Obtain and submit a reference form
5. Submit application via email (preferred) at least one month before the retreat or course start date

For Project Grants:

1. Download the project grant form and criteria from the website
2. Complete the application form with full project details
3. Submit via email to redingtonkathy@hotmail.com
4. Applications reviewed by the grants committee

Contact for Applications:

• Kathy Redington, Administrator
• Email: redingtonkathy@hotmail.com
• Phone: 07979 157603

Decision Timeline

Applications must be submitted at least one month before the start of the chosen retreat or course. The grants committee reviews applications on a rolling basis. Specific decision timelines are not publicly specified, but applicants should allow time for committee review within that one-month minimum window.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The charity does not publish information about the number of applications received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

Only one application is allowed per applicant within a 12-month period. This restriction applies to prevent multiple applications from the same individual or organization within the same year.

Application Success Factors

Eligibility Requirements for Individual Grants

• Must have completed an 8-day individually accompanied retreat - This is a fundamental prerequisite demonstrating foundational experience with the Ignatian tradition
• Regular spiritual direction experience - Applicants must show ongoing engagement with spiritual direction
• UK residency - Limited to UK residents
• Not living in religious communities - This is an explicit exclusion criterion

Project Grant Priorities

The Society specifically states it “would like to fund creative projects which aid spirituality especially for those who are marginalised in some way.” Applications should clearly demonstrate:

• How the project aligns with Ignatian spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises
• Creative approaches to spiritual development
• Focus on reaching marginalized populations
• Clear outcomes for participants' spiritual growth

Application Best Practices

• Submit well in advance: While the minimum is one month before start date, earlier submission allows more time for committee review
• Email applications preferred: The Society notes email applications are preferred “due to ease of distribution to their grants committee”
• Include all required documentation: Reference forms and completed application forms must be submitted together
• Demonstrate Ignatian connection: All projects and training must fit within the Society's objects and demonstrate clear connection to Ignatian spirituality

Example of Funded Work

Street Talk was awarded a grant by the Society of Retreat Conductors to enable them to take women to St Beuno's Jesuit Spirituality Centre in Wales, demonstrating the Society's commitment to supporting work with marginalized groups (women experiencing homelessness in this case) through Ignatian retreat experiences.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Ignatian foundation is essential - All applications must demonstrate clear connection to Ignatian spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises; this is non-negotiable for this funder
• Prioritize marginalized communities - The Society explicitly wants to fund projects serving “those who are marginalised in some way,” making this a key differentiator for competitive applications
• Prepare early and meet prerequisites - Individual applicants must have completed an 8-day individually accompanied retreat before applying; start this process well before you need funding
• Project grants cover up to 50% - Plan for matched funding, as the maximum support is half of project costs (capped at £17,000)
• One chance per year - With only one application allowed per 12-month period, ensure your application is thorough and well-timed
• Use email for applications - Email submissions are preferred and expedite the distribution process to the grants committee
• Partner with The Coach House, Kilmuir - The Society has a specific partnership offering 50% grants for retreats at this location, which may offer an advantageous pathway for applicants
• Allow minimum one month processing time - Submit applications at least one month before your retreat or course begins to allow for committee review

References

• The Society of Retreat Conductors official website: https://thesrc.org.uk/grants.php
• UK Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/246045/full-print
• UK Companies House: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00221066/officers
• National Estate Churches Network: “Grants from SRC” https://estatechurches.org/2022/08/grants-available-from-the-src/
• Financial data from Charity Commission records for financial year ending 05 April 2024