Kirby Laing Foundation
Laing Family Trusts
The Laing Family Trusts are a group of four grant-making trusts with a Christian foundation. A significant percentage of the grants awarded are made on a one-off basis for capital purposes such as the purchase or construction of new premises, the extension, redevelopment or refurbishment of property, or the purchase of equipment and vehicles. Most other grants are directed towards specific projects which will meet a clearly defined and demonstrable need within the applicant charity’s beneficiary/client group which cannot be met from statutory sources. Evidence of longer-term sustainability, potential for replicability & partnership working are important factors in the Trustees’ decision-making.
Project funding may be offered on a one-off basis or phased, often on a tapering basis, over a three-year period. While the Trusts do not make grants towards core operational costs, the Trustees do recognise that securing funding for such costs can be a particular challenge.
The Kirby Laing Foundation was established in 1972 by Sir Kirby Laing, with the intention that both income and capital should be applied, at the Trustees’ discretion, for general charitable purposes.
The Trustees' primary areas of giving are: *the promotion of the evangelical Christian faith. *education and youth development, focused particularly on STEM education and vocational training in traditional crafts. *medical welfare and research, with a particular emphasis on dementia, stroke and neuro-degenerative diseases. *culture and the environment, focussed on improving access for young people and the disabled, particularly to projects with a national focus / impact, and on encouraging young talent in opera and the performing arts. *overseas development projects, with a special interest in projects benefiting women and girls in low income countries in Asia.
The Foundation continues to be open to unsolicited applications as part of a smaller grants programme which will continue to run alongside a spend down programme. Applications for grants will be considered in the primary areas of giving outlined above. It is anticipated that most grants awarded will be in the region of £2,000 to £20,000.
Grants may be made towards capital projects, programme development costs or endowment / capacity building for future sustainability; grants will not be made towards core costs, the delivery of ongoing projects or to individuals. Currently identified themes, reflecting the interests of the founder, are:
- Promotion of the Evangelical Christian Faith
- Education & Youth Development – STEM Education
- Medical Welfare and Research – Education & Welfare in Ageing
- Performing Arts – Developing Talent
- Overseas Development Projects
There is no pro-forma application form but we do ask applicants to download and complete an application cover sheet, which is available on completion of an eligibility quiz.
In general the Trusts only make grants to charities registered in the UK or to churches with exempt status. The Trusts have a rolling application process, without application deadlines. Applications may therefore be submitted at any time throughout the year.
The Laing Family Trusts are run on a co-ordinated basis. This means that you do not need to make multiple applications to the individual Trusts; your application will automatically be directed to the most appropriate of the four Trusts.
Except in exceptional circumstances we do not make grants to: *Charities registered overseas *Umbrella, second tier or grant-making organisations *State maintained or independent schools (other than those for pupils with special educational needs) *Hospices (other than those with which the Trusts have a strong local connection) *NHS hospital trusts and other establishments offering medical care *Sports clubs *Individuals (whether for education, travel or medical purposes)
In general the Trusts do not make grants to projects falling into the following categories: *Animal welfare *General appeals or circulars *Campaigning or lobbying activities *Feasibility studies and social research *Training of professionals (including attendance at conferences, courses etc) *Costs of staging one-off events such as festivals or conferences *Gap year projects, residentials and overseas exchange programmes *Summer activities for children/young people or after-school clubs *Core running costs of local organisations (rent, utilities, salaries etc) *Cancer research and cancer care *Cost of running national helplines *Salaries of church workers (children & family workers, youth workers, worship leaders, outreach workers etc) Church restoration or repair (including church roofs, spires, organs, bells, wall paintings etc)