Miss W E Lawrence 1973 Charitable Settlement

The Miss W E Lawrence 1973 Charitable Settlement, known as the Miss Lawrence Trust, was established in 1973 by Miss Winifred Lawrence to support charitable activities reflecting her interests, with a strong emphasis on her Kintbury, West Berkshire community and select national causes. Guided by values of local stewardship, prudent investment (using only income), and responsive grant-making by locally based trustees, the trust blends place-based legacy support with flexible funding for public benefit, prioritizing community wellbeing, youth opportunities, and effective small-scale interventions.

It funds general charitable needs, with priorities in education (tertiary bursaries for low-income Kintbury-area individuals), youth recreation and social support, mental health, health services, counselling, and social care. Grants support core costs, projects, and grassroots activities for young people and communities, extending to small/medium national charities aligned with the founder's ethos.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, and individuals, with preference for those under £2 million annual income; priority goes to organizations within 20 miles of Kintbury (West Berkshire), nearby counties (Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight), South East, or wider UK, but no strict geographic limits. Unsolicited applications are welcomed via online form on The Good Exchange (preferred) or standard form.

Typical grants range £500–£5,000 for organizations (mostly £1,000–£3,000) and £500–£1,500 for individuals, awarded biannually (main round April), with next deadline mid-to-late March—submit anytime, decisions in weeks. It avoids large national charities and capital draws, distinguishing itself through accessible, legacy-driven local focus, trustee locality, and youth/education continuity amid over 170 grants since 2018.