St Giles-in-the-Fields and William Shelton Educational Charity

St Giles-in-the-Fields and William Shelton Educational Charity is a historic independent grant-maker with 17th- and 18th-century roots from philanthropists like William Shelton and Elizabeth Saywell, tied to Church of England parishes. Its mission centers on advancing education and personal development for disadvantaged children and young people facing financial hardship or exclusion in Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, and south Westminster, London. Emphasizing inclusivity, aspiration, Christian values, collaboration, and responsiveness, it fosters partnerships among schools, voluntary groups, and churches, prioritizing frontline projects that build capacity and adapt to local needs for sustainable impact.

The charity funds five key themes: children and families, education and learning, emotional wellbeing, youth clubs and activities, and Christian education. Supported activities include school trips, holiday play schemes, environmental education, resource updates, professional development, and organisational capacity building—covering revenue, capital (small-scale), and multi-year initiatives via Small Grants (up to £3,000), Project Grants (up to £10,000/year), Community Investment (up to £15,000/year for 3 years), and Partnership Grants (up to £50,000/year for 3 years). Typical awards range £3,000–£50,000, with strong evidence of direct enrichment for local youth.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, CICs, community groups, social enterprises, schools, and churches operating exclusively in the defined areas; preference goes to small-to-medium grassroots organisations without strict income limits. Applications use an online form: rolling for Small/Project, initial outlines required for Partnership, and prior funding/engagement for Community Investment. Quarterly trustee meetings (March, June, September, December) review submissions, with decisions in two weeks.

Exclusions cover non-local/UK projects, general appeals, political/statutory work, retrospective funding, large buildings, abroad trips, or organisations with high reserves/deficits. Distinctive for its hyper-local focus, faith-informed heritage, trust-based collaborations, and efforts to ease fundraising through shared intelligence.