Independent Christian Workers Trust

The Independent Christian Workers Trust (ICWT), registered charity number 1020901 and established in 1993, is a UK-based funder dedicated to providing grants to individual Christian workers addressing global poverty and need through faith-driven initiatives. Its core mission emphasizes practical Christian outreach—such as mission, evangelism, relief efforts, and poverty alleviation—directed at the world's poor and needy, including children, young people, and overseas communities. Guided by values of faith in action, trustee oversight, stewardship integrity, and personal accountability, ICWT stands out for its exclusive focus on empowering vetted individuals rather than organizations, requiring trustee approval and independent sponsorship for all recipients to ensure alignment with biblical principles and direct impact.

The trust supports thematic priorities rooted in general charitable purposes, poverty relief, housing, and religious activities, funding on-the-ground service by Christians worldwide with no geographic restrictions. Beneficiaries are the global poor, with grants enabling personal vocation in challenging contexts like grassroots mission work and evangelism.

Eligibility is strictly limited to individual Christian workers demonstrating commitment to the trust's purpose; organizations, charities, or projects are ineligible, with no income or size requirements specified. Applications are invite-only, known only to trustees who make ad hoc decisions without public deadlines, forms, or rounds—prospective grantees must secure trustee endorsement and external sponsorship.

ICWT does not disclose typical grant ranges (annual expenditure around £70,000) or publish impact reports, distinguishing it as a niche, discernment-based funder for personal Christian service abroad, excluding capital, capacity-building, or institutional support in favor of trusted, sponsored individuals delivering high-impact relief.