The Sole 2 Soul Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £47,830+ (grants to charities) plus individual grants ranging £10-£20,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: £10 - £20,000
• Geographic Focus: Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland

Contact Details

Phone: 0116 222 3012

Address: 30 Nelson Street, Leicester, LE1 7BA

Note: No website or email address publicly available. The foundation does not have a public application process.

Overview

THE SOLE 2 SOUL FOUNDATION was established on 15 November 2005 and registered with the Charity Commission on 2 February 2006 (charity number 1112911). The foundation operates as a trust with current total income of approximately £209,936 and expenditure of £182,860 (year ending April 2025). The foundation's financial strength comes from investment properties generating rental income of over £77,000 annually, which funds their charitable giving. The foundation focuses on relieving financial hardship and poverty, advancing education, and advancing the Christian religion within the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland communities. They provide grants to both organizations and individuals, with particular emphasis on supporting Christian groups, churches, and missionaries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than formal grant programs. Grants are distributed through:

• Grants to Organizations: Ranging from small grants to significant awards up to £20,000
• Individual Support: Direct grants to individuals in financial hardship (minimum £10)
• Missionary Accommodation: Provision of accommodation for church missionaries
• Church Support: Financial support for local churches to enable worship, community engagement, and outreach

Application Method: Invitation only/trustee discretion - no public application process

Priority Areas

• Relief of financial hardship and poverty, typically channeled through established charities with infrastructure to reach those in need
• Advancement of the Christian religion, including support for local churches and Christian organizations
• Advancement of education
• Support for church missionaries, including provision of accommodation
• Christian groups, bodies, and individuals working in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland

What They Don't Fund

Not specified, but the foundation's geographic focus is strictly limited to Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• J C P Smith (John Charles Pennington Smith) - Has provided a loan of £632,476 to the charity to help purchase freehold and investment property
• A S Smith (Anna Sian Smith)

Both trustees receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Trustee meetings are held quarterly with regular contact maintained to determine the distribution of funds.

Related Charities

The trustees also serve on the board of Hesed Trust (charity number 1000489), which received £47,830 from The Sole 2 Soul Foundation during the most recent reporting period. This connection is disclosed in accordance with charity regulations regarding related party transactions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees through their quarterly meetings and ongoing contact with potential beneficiaries.

The foundation operates primarily through:

• Trustee-identified opportunities
• Support for organizations where trustees have existing knowledge or connections
• Direct provision of services (such as missionary accommodation)
• Grants to related charities

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's trustees have connections with:

• Hesed Trust - A related charity that received substantial funding, indicating the trustees support organizations where they have governance involvement
• Local churches in Leicester - The foundation specifically mentions supporting a local church to enable community worship and outreach
• Christian missionary networks - Through their provision of accommodation for missionaries

The foundation appears to identify beneficiaries through the trustees' existing networks in the Christian community and charitable sector in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. The small trustee board (2 trustees) and quarterly meeting schedule suggest a highly personalized approach to grant-making.

Decision Timeline

Trustees meet quarterly to determine fund distribution. Specific timelines from approach to decision are not publicly available.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. As an invitation-only funder, success rates are not applicable to unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates without a public application process, the following factors appear relevant based on their documented activities:

• Geographic alignment: The foundation is strictly focused on Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland - this is a fundamental requirement
• Christian mission alignment: The foundation prioritizes advancing the Christian religion and supporting Christian groups and churches
• Established infrastructure: When supporting poverty relief, the foundation states they work “through other charities which have established infrastructures to get the funds to those most at need”
• Local church engagement: The foundation specifically supports “a local church, which enables ordinary people in the community to worship, pray, find out more about Jesus and help other people in the community”
• Missionary support: Organizations or individuals involved in missionary work appear to be priority beneficiaries
• Trustee knowledge: The pattern of giving to Hesed Trust (where both trustees serve) suggests trustee familiarity with an organization increases funding likelihood

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - they identify beneficiaries through trustee networks
• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only organizations operating in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland are eligible
• Christian focus is central: Both trustees and funding priorities indicate strong Christian mission alignment is essential
• Small trustee board means personal connections matter: With only 2 trustees meeting quarterly, funding decisions are highly personalized
• They fund both organizations and individuals: Grant amounts range from £10 to £20,000, showing flexibility in grant size
• Related party funding is disclosed: The foundation transparently reports grants to Hesed Trust where trustees serve, indicating ethical governance
• Property income funds their giving: Rental income of over £77,000 annually provides stable funding for charitable activities

References

• THE SOLE 2 SOUL FOUNDATION - Charity Commission Register -
• THE SOLE 2 SOUL FOUNDATION - Full Print - Charity Commission detailed entry
• THE SOLE 2 SOUL FOUNDATION - Trustees - Charity Commission trustee information
• THE SOLE 2 SOUL FOUNDATION Annual Accounts - Charity Commission accounts