What we fund
The Lawson Trust’s five key funding priorities are:
- Arts and Heritage
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Social & economic disadvantage
Organisations which can best demonstrate engagement at community level within the areas of Kent and Sussex will always be a priority for the trustees.
The Lawson Trust does not support:
- Individuals
- Non-registered charities
- Community Interest Companies
- Overseas charities
- Political parties
- Endeavours to promote religion
Where we fund
The trustees are always keen to direct funds towards the counties of Kent and Sussex where the founders of the trust lived and worked. The trust also supports national charities which can direct their support to Kent and Sussex or have beneficiaries in these counties. The trust does not support charities which are neither local or national, for example a charity which operates solely in Southampton would not be eligible.
Applicants in Kent & Sussex
For applicants based in Kent seeking grants up to £5,000 we work in partnership with Kent Community Foundation, having set up the Lawson Endowment for Kent, to connect with causes local to Kent. Therefore, please refer to the Kent Community Foundation's website for information on how you can apply to this fund. https://kentcf.org.uk/apply
For applicants based in Sussex with an income of under one million pounds we have an endowment with Sussex Community Foundation, to connect with causes local to Sussex. Please refer to the Sussex Community Foundation's website for information on applying for a grant.
http://sussexgiving.org.uk/apply-for-grants/how-it-works
Image courtesy of Construction Youth Trust
Applying directly to The Lawson Trust
The trust operates an open outlook on the organisations it supports and we would encourage you to contact Hayley Corker, the trust administrator, if you are unsure about making an application (enquiries@lawsontrust.org)
If you have received a grant from either Lawson Trust endowments with the Kent or Sussex Community Foundations in the past year, this precludes you from making an application.
The trustees will not support large national charities with overheads, preferring to devote funds to a specific project or intervention that benefits people in Kent and Sussex.
The Lawson Trust provides single payment grants over one year to registered charities, including those registered as a company limited by guarantee and charitable incorporated organisations.
The trust does not make grants in response to applications received in general appeals or mail shots.
The trustees award grants up to a maximum of £8,000, please consider this when applying. The trustees award larger grants by invitation only.
How to Apply
The Trust does not consider applications for funding by post. Please follow our online application process outlined here.
The Lawson Trust accepts applications all year round and meets four times a year. Before applying please read the information further up this page, ensuring that you are eligible to apply.
We have made the application process easier for Kent-based applicants by aligning with Kent Community Foundation's (KCF) application form. Therefore, if you are seeking further funding for your organisation in Kent you can use the same information you used in an application to KCF in your application to The Lawson Trust. However, please note that the board will not fund organisations that have received funding from The Lawson Endowment for Kent via KCF in the previous year.
Please note that we only accept applications via the online form. Please contact Hayley, the trust administrator, via email (enquiries@lawsontrust.org.)
If you are ready to apply please click the link below. The deadline for the current round is noon, Tuesday 24 December 2024 for consideration at our 13 February meeting.
It is necessary to register on our new application site before commencing an application. You can save and re-visit your application at any time. If you are ready to begin, please select the link below.
Image courtesy of Stuart Leech for Turner Contemporary
The outcome of your application will be communicated within two working days of the board meeting at which your application is considered.
If your application is successful your eligibility to be considered at a subsequent meeting will be eighteen months hence your award.
Feedback on failed applications will be given on request.