Beatrice Laing Trust

The Beatrice Laing Trust, established in 1952 by Sir John Laing—a devout Christian philanthropist who donated nearly 40% of his company’s shares to charity—advances evangelical Christianity and relieves poverty through practical action. Rooted in the Laing family’s faith-driven philanthropy, it supports UK-registered charities bridging church and community by funding initiatives that express Christian values while addressing disadvantage, emphasizing services for vulnerable groups like children, youth, people with disabilities, older adults, and those in poverty or distress, both in the UK and overseas via UK entities.

It prioritizes capital and one-off project grants for buildings, extensions, refurbishments, equipment, or vehicles that enhance church outreach and community services, such as educational resources, disability tech, or facility upgrades for small churches. Annual giving averages £2.3 million across dozens of grants, favoring grassroots efforts blending Christian ethos with tangible impact over ongoing operations.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or exempt churches of any size, though preference goes to small- to medium-sized ones with modest incomes and no regional UK restrictions; overseas work must channel through UK registrants. Applications are unsolicited and rolling via post—starting with an online eligibility quiz, followed by a covering letter, 3-4 page proposal (need, budget, fundraising plan, monitoring), accounts, report, and SAE—with quarterly trustee meetings and decisions within four months; no emails or online forms.

The Trust excludes core revenue, salaries (beyond project management), full project costs, multi-year support, and umbrella/grant-making bodies, insisting on matched funding for sustainability. Its distinctive conservative stewardship, explicit evangelical focus, and legacy of catalytic frontline support set it apart for faith-aligned charities delivering practical poverty relief.