Martin Laing Foundation

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 Martin Laing Foundation was established in 1979 by Sir Martin Laing with the intention that income should be distributed for general charitable purposes. The Trustees' priority areas of giving are: *environmental and conservation work. *projects benefiting disadvantaged young people or the elderly/infirm in Norfolk, Essex or Hertfordshire – supported through small capital grants to local charities. *overseas development projects in Malta (at the invitation of the founder only).

The level of funding available varies. Grants typically range between £500 and £10,000.

The Trusts have a rolling application process, without application deadlines. Applications may therefore be submitted at any time throughout the year. The Trusts Laing Family Trusts only make grants to charities registered in the UK or to churches with exempt status. 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)