The Spalding Memorial Educational Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not specified
• Success Rate: Not available
• Decision Time: Typically 3 months
• Grant Range: Up to £3,500 (main fund); approximately £2,000 annually (Ellen Rebe Spalding Memorial Fund)
• Geographic Focus: No geographic restrictions - open to all nationalities

Contact Details

• Website: www.spaldingtrust.org.uk
• Email: spalding.trust@btinternet.com
• Secretary: Mrs. T. Rodgers
• Address: The Spalding Trust, P O Box 85, Stowmarket IP14 3NY

Overview

The Spalding Memorial Educational Trust is a registered charity (1188315) established by Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Spalding to promote a better understanding between the great cultures of the world by encouraging the study of the religious principles on which they are based. The trust was originally founded in the early twentieth century through trust deeds in 1923 and 1928, and was re-established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2020 to continue this work on a modern legal basis.

The trust makes grants to individuals and institutions to support inter-religious study and comparative religion research, with the aim of promoting mutual understanding and respect between different faith traditions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The trust operates two grant programmes:

• Main Fund Grants: Up to £3,500
• Support for research into recognised religious traditions other than the applicant's own
• Comparative religion studies
• Travel to conferences or to study a religion in the country where it is practised
• Publication costs for research results
• Application method: Rolling basis, considered monthly

• Ellen Rebe Spalding Memorial Fund: Approximately £2,000 annually (typically 4 grants per year)
• Smaller grants for inter-religious projects
• Must be made through a recognised agency or organisation with an independent reference

Priority Areas

• Inter-religious study and research
• Comparative religion from an academic perspective
• Research projects backed by professional ability to raise the standard of knowledge of religious principles and practices
• Projects interpreting the relation of religious principles to contemporary society
• Non-academic applications with practical and beneficial effect on inter-religious understanding
• Purchase of books for libraries in institutions
• Subsidies for visiting lecturers' fees
• Conference costs with evidence of interfaith boundary-crossing

What They Fund

• Individuals: Graduate students and researchers studying comparative religion or a recognised religious tradition other than their own
• Institutions: Libraries, colleges, or any place of learning for inter-religious study purposes
• Travel expenses for conferences or study visits related to comparative religion
• Publication costs for inter-religious research
• Research projects with interfaith content
• Open to all nationalities and domiciles

What They Don't Fund

• First-degree courses (trustees are reluctant to approve such requests)
• Study of the applicant's own religion (unless likely to produce significant results in improving inter-religious understanding)
• Projects without primarily religious concern (e.g., purely sociological or anthropological studies)
• Applications where adequate other sources of finance are available

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by a board of trustees who meet annually, though applications are considered on a monthly basis throughout the year. The trust is administered by a Secretary who handles correspondence and the application process. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

How to Apply to The Spalding Memorial Educational Trust

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted via:

• Email: Applications as PDF attachments to spalding.trust@btinternet.com
• Post: The Secretary, The Spalding Trust, P O Box 85, Stowmarket IP14 3NY

Academic references should be sent by email to spalding.trust@btinternet.com.

Applications should include:

• Clear description of the research project or study programme
• Explanation of how it relates to inter-religious understanding or comparative religion
• Amount requested and budget breakdown
• Evidence that the study is of a recognised religious tradition other than applicant's own (or clear comparative religion focus)
• Two letters of recommendation in support
• Maximum 10 pages (including references) - longer applications will not be accepted
• Information about other sources of funding available or sought

All supporting materials must be received by the end of the month preceding the month in which the application is to be considered.

Decision Timeline

• Applications are considered monthly by trustees
• Trustees typically take 3 months to reach a decision on an application
• Grants are approved throughout the year on a rolling basis

Success Rates

Success rate information is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions on reapplication have been identified.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's funding patterns and stated priorities:

• Demonstrate clear inter-religious or comparative religion focus
• Show professional academic ability or clear practical benefit for inter-religious understanding
• Provide evidence that you will study a religious tradition other than your own
• Explain how the research or project will improve understanding between different faith traditions
• Include strong academic references from recognised institutions or scholars
• Show that other sources of funding are not readily available
• Keep application concise (maximum 10 pages)
• Provide realistic budget and clear project timeline
• Demonstrate how the grant will make a meaningful contribution to inter-religious understanding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The trust has a very specific focus on inter-religious and comparative religion studies - general educational projects are not eligible
• Both individuals and institutions can apply, with no geographic restrictions
• You generally cannot receive funding to study your own religion
• Graduate-level research is preferred over first-degree courses
• Applications must demonstrate interfaith content and boundary-crossing
• The application process is straightforward but requires strong academic or professional backing
• Keep applications focused and under 10 pages including references
• Two letters of recommendation are required
• Monthly consideration means faster decisions than many annual grant programmes
• The trust values projects that raise standards of knowledge about religious principles and their contemporary relevance
• Small grants available through Ellen Rebe Spalding Memorial Fund for appropriate projects via recognised agencies

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The River Trust
• The Carmela & Ronnie Pignatelli Foundation
• The Jerusalem Trust
• The Farthing Trust
• Westhill Endowment
• Ulting Overseas Trust
• The I T F Seafarers Trust
• The Brownlee Charitable Trust
• The Jephcott Charitable Trust
• Dollond Charitable Trust

References

• The Spalding Memorial Educational Trust official website (www.spaldingtrust.org.uk) -
• Charity Commission Register entry for charity 1188315 -
• Trust application procedures and funding guidelines from official sources - April 2026