Barleycorn Trust

The Barleycorn Trust is a grant-making charity established in 1987 and registered in England and Wales (charity number 296386), dedicated to advancing the Christian faith through religious and secular education, missionary activities, and relief for the poor, needy, sick, and aged. Rooted in Christian values, it seeks practical and spiritual change by funding aligned projects and organizations, emphasizing direct support for faith-based outreach and humanitarian needs via trusted partners like small churches, missions, and relief charities, rather than running its own initiatives.

It prioritizes grants for Christian education, missionary work, and aid to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, unwell, and those in poverty, with a focus on organizations embodying a Christian ethos. Beneficiaries span UK-based faith groups and charities, though it remains open to international Christian and educational causes, particularly smaller entities overlooked by mainstream funders.

Eligible applicants face no strict legal entity, income, or geographic base requirements, but must align closely with its Christian mission; the Trust shows preference for small charities without published thresholds. It operates invite-only, rejecting unsolicited applications—approaches via direct contact or networks may lead to invitations, with no forms, portals, deadlines, or fixed meeting schedules; decisions are ad hoc and discreet.

Grants are modest and unspecified in range, typically covering project costs, core funding, or relief, excluding capital, emergency, or non-aligned activities. Distinctive for its faith-centered, low-profile approach, long-term trusteeship, and niche support for underserved Christian initiatives, it stands out from broader funders by its tight scope and relational grant-making.