The Richards Trust
Financial assistance for students preparing for ordination
The Richards Trust is a fund administered by SPCK, with the purpose of assisting ordinands in financial need. It does not provide scholarships/bursaries to top up other grant income but is a restricted contingency fund to help ordinands who fall into unforeseen urgent financial difficulty during the course of their training. The trust deed stipulates that candidates must be under the age of 40 and preparing for ordination in the Church of England. Grants typically range between £500 and £2,000.
Applications are invited from students who fulfil the above criteria. It is emphasised that the fund is for "emergency" situations, and grants are not given for overseas placements or to fund additional years of study.
An application form and an income/expenditure spreadsheet template (MS Excel or Open Office versions) can be downloaded or obtained from the Trust Administrator.
Richards Trust Application Form
Income / Expenditure spreadsheet (MS Excel)
Income / Expenditure spreadsheet (Open Office)
The college principal or course director must countersign the completed application form to confirm that the information provided is correct, and also provide a confidential reference/supporting letter saying why this is to be considered as an "emergency".
Completed forms and references should be sent to the Trust Administrator:-
Mrs Pat Phillips
The Richards Trust
SPCK
36 Causton Street
London
SW1P 4ST
The Trustees consider each application as it arrives so that a response can be made swiftly.
