Westminster Fund

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1071751
• Total Assets: £7.07 million (2024)
• Annual Giving: £2.2 million (2023-24), typically £700k-£800k
• Grant Range: £12,000 - £1,400,000
• Geographic Focus: UK and mainland Europe
• Application Method: Rolling basis via application form
• Sector Focus: Christian Science organizations exclusively

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 828, Godalming, Surrey GU7 9HP

Phone: 07777 120432

Email: administrator@thewestminsterfund.co.uk (also administrator@trustbrit.org.uk)

Website: https://www.thewestminsterfund.co.uk/

Pre-application Support: Applicants are encouraged to call the administrator to discuss ideas before submitting an application.

Overview

The Westminster Fund was established on 12th October 1996 with £1.2 million in permanent capital from the disbanding of Ninth Church of Christ, Scientist, London. Formally constituted under a Charity Commissioners Scheme on 8th July 1998, the fund exists solely to support the promotion and extension of Christian Science as taught by Mary Baker Eddy. With assets of £7.07 million (as of March 2024), the fund typically distributes £700,000-£800,000 annually in grants, though in 2023-24 it made an exceptional £2.2 million in grants, primarily due to a £1.4 million award to Le Verger, a Christian Science nursing facility in Switzerland. The fund supports Christian Science churches, societies, informal groups, nursing facilities, youth organizations, and lecture programs across the UK and mainland Europe. The charity is managed by four trustees, all of whom also serve as trustees of The Christian Science Trust in Great Britain, and operates with no paid employees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

UK Grants:

• Reading Room Support: Up to £12,000 over three years (reviewed annually) for branch churches and societies extending opening hours
• Youth Groups: Funding for camps and events organized by groups such as Focus UK and Easter Camp; also sponsors families attending Christian Science camps
• Nursing Facilities: Support for training programs and building compliance costs
• Building Assistance: Structural repairs, refurbishment, enhancements, and accessibility improvements
• General Church Support: Financial assistance to Christian Science churches and societies

Mainland Europe Grants:

• Christian Science Lectures: Up to 75% of lecture costs for churches, societies, informal groups, and college organizations
• Youth and Family Initiatives: Support for Christian Science youth programming
• Media & Technology: Up to 75% funding for IT upgrades including video conferencing, livestreaming, and websites
• Building Projects: Structural repairs, refurbishment, and accessibility compliance
• Nursing Facilities: Training and building compliance support

Recent Major Grant:

• £1,400,000 to Le Verger (Switzerland) for major building project, training, and operating costs (2023-24)
• £35,000 to The Mother Church (2023-24)

Priority Areas

The fund exclusively supports:

• Christian Science churches, societies, and informal groups
• Christian Science college organizations
• Accredited Christian Science nursing facilities
• Christian Science youth groups and family camps
• Christian Science reading rooms
• Christian Science lecture programs
• The Commission for Accreditation of Christian Science Nursing Facilities/Organisations

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (except families seeking sponsorship for Christian Science camp attendance, which must be applied for by the church)
• Non-Christian Science organizations
• Organizations outside the UK and mainland Europe
• Ongoing/recurring operational funding (typically one-off grants only)
• Full project costs (applicants must normally contribute at least 25%)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (all also serve as trustees of The Christian Science Trust in Great Britain):

• Lynn Neligan - Chair (appointed 2014)
• John Lardge (appointed 2019)
• Peter Kenneth Allen
• Ruth Brown
• Shirley McGrath

The fund has no paid employees. Management fees of £8,000 are paid annually to The Christian Science Trust in Great Britain to cover joint administration and support costs.

How to Apply to Westminster Fund

How to Apply

1. Pre-application Contact: Call the administrator on 07777 120432 to discuss ideas before applying. The fund welcomes “creative ideas” and considers applications where “financial need” exists.

1. Request Application Form: Contact administrator@thewestminsterfund.co.uk or call 07777 120432 to request an application form.

1. Submit Application: Applications must be submitted by the Clerk of the Christian Science Church, Society, Informal Group, College Organisation, or Administrator of the CS Facility or Youth Group (not individuals).

• Contact administrator before incurring any expenses
• Obtain competitive quotations where appropriate
• Organization must normally contribute at least 25% of total project costs
• Submit fruitage (outcome) report upon project completion

1. Application Review: Rolling basis - applications are considered individually throughout the year.

Decision Timeline

No specific timeline is published. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The fund advises contacting the administrator before incurring expenses, suggesting relatively prompt consideration.

Reapplication Policy

The guidelines state that “no ongoing funding is normally available,” indicating that grants are typically one-off awards. However, reading room grants are reviewed annually over a three-year period. Organizations may reapply for different projects, though the fund considers the organization's total financial resources when making decisions.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors:

1. Pre-application Consultation: The fund explicitly encourages calling to discuss ideas before submitting an application, suggesting that early engagement is valued.

1. Financial Need: The website states the fund considers applications where “financial need” exists and notes that “the total funds available to the organisation will be taken into account, including donations, investments and reserves.”

1. Co-funding Commitment: Applicants normally must contribute at least 25% of project costs, demonstrating organizational commitment and capacity.

1. Proper Application Channel: Applications must come from official church/organization administrators or clerks, not individuals.

1. Competitive Quotations: For capital projects, obtaining multiple quotes demonstrates financial prudence.

1. Realistic Expectations: The guidelines explicitly state: “Funding is not automatic and may not always be to the maximum amount requested.”

1. Creative Approaches: The fund welcomes “creative ideas,” suggesting openness to innovative approaches to promoting Christian Science.

1. Completion Reporting: Organizations must submit a “fruitage report” upon project completion, indicating the fund values accountability and learning from funded projects.

Important Considerations:

• The fund's guidelines are reviewed annually, so checking current guidance is essential
• The exceptional £1.4 million grant to Le Verger in 2023-24 significantly exceeded typical grant sizes, suggesting flexibility for major strategic projects
• The fund withdrew £1.45 million from investments in 2023-24 to fund grants, indicating willingness to draw on capital for significant opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Eligibility is Absolute: Only Christian Science organizations qualify - this is non-negotiable. Do not apply if you are not affiliated with Christian Science.

• Early Contact is Encouraged: The fund explicitly welcomes pre-application discussions. Use this opportunity to test your idea and understand current priorities before investing time in a full application.

• Financial Context Matters: The fund will assess your organization's total financial position including reserves and investments. Demonstrate genuine need, not just opportunity.

• Co-funding is Expected: Budget for contributing at least 25% of project costs from your own resources. This shows organizational commitment and capacity.

• Grant Sizes Vary Enormously: From £12,000 reading room grants to £1.4 million for major infrastructure, indicating flexibility based on strategic importance.

• One Application = One Project: The fund typically does not provide ongoing operational funding. Focus applications on discrete, time-limited projects with clear outcomes.

• Submit Proper Evidence: Obtain competitive quotations for capital projects and ensure applications come from official church/organization leadership, not individuals.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The One Foundation
• The Charities Aid Foundation
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Bbc Children In Need
• Jack Petchey Foundation
• Bernard Sunley Foundation
• The Sir James Reckitt Charity
• The D'oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• Young Westminster Foundation
• Peter Harrison Foundation
• Robert Luff Foundation Limited
• The True Colours Trust
• Hedley Foundation Limited
• The Harrison Foundation
• G M Morrison Charitable Trust
• Misses Barrie Charitable Trust
• Local Trust
• Big Local Trust
• Frontiers
• Friends Of The Holy Land

References

• The Westminster Fund official website: https://www.thewestminsterfund.co.uk/
• The Westminster Fund Guidelines: https://www.thewestminsterfund.co.uk/guidelines-
• UK Charity Commission Register, Charity No. 1071751: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1071751&subid=0
• The Westminster Fund Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024, filed with Charity Commission (financial data including £2.2m grants total, £1.4m Le Verger grant, total assets £7.07m)
• Giving is Great charity factsheet on The Christian Science Trust in Great Britain: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=215721 (trustee information