Thomas Harley's Estate Charity (the Harley Trust)

Charity Number: 500537

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £320,180 (year ending March 2024)
  • Annual Expenditure: £242,358
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed at bi-annual meetings in April and September
  • Grant Range: £150 - £6,500 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Leicestershire, with preference for Osgathorpe, Belton, and former Coalville Urban District

Contact Details

  • Website: www.theharleytrust.org
  • Email: sue.stevenson@charity-link.org
  • Phone: 0116 222 2210
  • Address: Thomas Harley's Charities, c/o Charity Link, 20a Millstone Lane, Leicester LE1 5JN
  • Administrator: Sue Stevenson (Charity Link)

Overview

Thomas Harley's Estate Charity was established following the death of Thomas Harley of Osgathorpe in 1670. Born in 1613, Harley became a successful businessman and bequeathed sufficient funds to build almshouses, a school, and a schoolhouse in Osgathorpe, along with land rentals to support clergy widows and education. The charity comprises three registered entities operating as a single trust since 1990: Thomas Harley's Estate Charity (Reg. No. 500537), the Harley Charity for Widows of Clergymen, and Thomas Harley's Educational Foundation.

In accordance with the founder's will, 75% of income supports dependants of deceased clergy in the Diocese of Leicester, while 25% funds education for young people under 25 whose parents live in Leicestershire. With annual income of approximately £320,180, the trust operates as a pure grant-making organisation with no paid trustees and no staff earning over £60,000. The Diocese of Leicester advises on the charitable branch's operations, ensuring alignment with clergy welfare needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Charitable Branch (75% of income - approximately £180,000 annually)

  • Temporary Aid Grant: Annual means-tested payment distributed in December to eligible clergy dependants (automatically distributed via Diocese records)
  • Relief in Need Grant: One-off grants for emergencies (£400-£1,750 typical range for items like cookers, roof repairs, boilers)
  • Bereavement Grant: Automatic £3,000 payment to clergy widows/widowers upon spouse's death
  • Annual awards made to over 40 dependants totalling over £70,000 per annum

Education Branch (25% of income - approximately £60,000 annually)

Two-thirds allocated to individuals, one-third to schools:

  • Individual Grants: Up to £1,000 for further/higher education; up to £2,000 for other educational needs
  • School Grants: £150-£6,500 for equipment and educational initiatives (match-funding expected)
  • Apprenticeship Support: Grants for tools and equipment

Priority Areas

  • Supporting dependants of deceased clergy in Leicester Diocese
  • Educational advancement for young people under 25 in Leicestershire
  • Schools serving Osgathorpe, Belton, and former Coalville Urban District
  • Educational visits and courses
  • Higher education support
  • Apprenticeship equipment

What They Don't Fund

  • Second degrees
  • Educational needs normally provided by local education authorities
  • Applicants whose parents' joint income exceeds £41,000 (education grants)
  • Clergy dependants with annual income over £25,000 (charitable branch)
  • Applicants outside the Diocese of Leicester (charitable branch)
  • Applicants whose parents don't live in Leicestershire (education branch)
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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by 7 trustees who receive no remuneration. Administration is handled by Charity Link.

Paul Hackwood - Chairman

  • Chief Executive Officer of Toc H (national social action charity)
  • Trustee of the Henry Smith Charity and St John's Eye Hospital in Jerusalem
  • Canon of Leicester Cathedral for over 15 years

Christine Radford - Leicestershire County Council Appointed Trustee

  • County Council representative since 2009

Peter Sergeant - Co-opted Trustee

  • Taught at Loughborough Grammar School for 41 years (retired 2016 as Assistant Headmaster)
  • RAF Volunteer Reserve officer since 1982

Revd Tony Leighton - Bishop of Leicester Appointed Trustee

  • Bishop's Officer for Retired Clergy and Widowed Families of Clergy
  • Joined board in 2023

Andrew Dodson - Osgathorpe Parish Council Appointed Trustee (joined 2023)

Rosemary Gibson - Co-opted Trustee (joined 2023)

Chris Sheldon - Co-opted Trustee

  • 40+ year banking career; former CEO of specialist bank serving churches and charities
  • Trustee of Leicester Diocesan Board of Finance
  • Financial Wellbeing Coordinator for clergy (Diocese)
  • Joined 2022

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Education Branch - Individuals:

  1. Download application form from the Harley Trust website
  2. Complete and submit by post or email to Charity Link
  3. Deadlines: 1st April or 1st September
  4. Applications considered at bi-annual trustee meetings (end of April and end of September)

Education Branch - Schools:

  • Schools serving the preferred area can apply for equipment grants
  • Match-funding is expected for any grant awarded
  • Submit applications by 1st April or 1st September

Charitable Branch - Clergy Dependants:

  • Temporary Aid Grant: No application required; Diocese of Leicester automatically identifies eligible dependants
  • Relief in Need Grant: Complete application form, obtain diocesan visitor approval, submit supporting quotations
  • Bereavement Grant: Automatic upon spouse's death

Contact for Charitable Branch applications:

  • Diocesan Office: The Bishop's Officer, A Wessel, 16 High Street, Desford, Leics LE9 9JF
  • Email: racwessel@aol.com

Decision Timeline

  • Trustee meetings held bi-annually (end of April and end of September)
  • Applications must arrive by 1st April or 1st September
  • The trust replies to all applicants, whether or not they can help

Reapplication Policy

  • Higher education students must apply each year for continuing grants
  • Second degrees are not eligible

Application Success Factors

For Education Grants:

  • The trust explicitly states grants are for “educational needs not normally provided by the local education authority” - applications must demonstrate this clearly
  • Examples of successful applications include: school educational visits, courses that enhance education, third world project visits, higher education support, and apprenticeship tools
  • Specific recent examples include: Venice study trip (£350 per student), cabinet maker tools (multiple grants), hairdressing scissors (£270)
  • Grants for higher education cover diverse subjects including zoology, business management, meteorology, psychology, languages, and veterinary science
  • Preference is given to applicants from Osgathorpe, Belton, and the former Coalville Urban District

For School Grants:

  • The trust expects schools to match-fund any grant awarded
  • Successful school grants have funded: Duke of Edinburgh schemes, playground equipment, swimming lessons, interactive floor mats, weather stations, and staging
  • School grants typically range from £150 to £6,500

For Charitable Branch (Clergy Dependants):

  • Relief in Need grants require supporting quotations
  • Diocesan visitor approval strengthens applications
  • Examples of funded emergencies: replacement cookers, roof repairs, boiler replacements, driveway repairs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Strict Geographic Eligibility: Education grants require parents to live in Leicestershire; charitable grants require residence in the Diocese of Leicester. Preference is given to Osgathorpe, Belton, and former Coalville Urban District.
  1. Income Thresholds Matter: Education grants have a £41,000 parental income ceiling; clergy dependant grants have a £25,000 annual income threshold.
  1. Bi-Annual Application Cycle: Submit by 1st April or 1st September - there are only two opportunities per year.
  1. Match-Funding Required for Schools: School applicants should budget for matching any grant received.
  1. Not for Standard Educational Costs: Grants are specifically for needs not provided by local education authorities.
  1. All Applicants Receive a Response: The trust confirms it replies to all applicants, successful or not.
  1. Established Trust with Long History: Founded in 1670, the trust has clear, consistent priorities aligned with Thomas Harley's original will - demonstrating alignment with these historic purposes strengthens applications.

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