The Trustees of the St Mary’s Hall Trust welcome applications from individuals and organisation for financial assistance for projects that benefit residents of the town of Warwick, i.e. those living within the CV34 postcode.

The Trust’s grants policy may be requested from the Grants Administrator (admin@stmaryshall.org.uk).

In brief, the Trust awards around £12,000 per annum with an average grant per applicant of around £2,500. Larger amounts may be considered by the trustees in exceptional circumstances. To maintain a diverse funding base, the charity would not expect to make grants to the same organisation more than twice. Though the charity does not fund activities which are the responsibility of the state, it is open to applications from schools for specific projects.

Applications for grants must be made in writing by email to the Grants Administrator (admin@stmaryshall.org.uk). The application must state the purpose of the applicant/organisation, how it satisfies the eligibility criteria, an outline budget for the project and how its costs will be met. The application should also demonstrate the projected outcomes and how the success of the project will be measured. Details of the applicant’s funding and governance should also be provided. Organisations should provide a copy of their last audited accounts. A standardised application form is available from the Grants Administrator on request

The Trustees meet, typically, 3 times a year to consider applications, usually in March, July and November.Registered Charity Number 230161

Background – St Mary’s Hall Trust, Warwick originally came into existence in 1911. Following the sale of property, the current deed was created in 2004. One of the smaller Warwick charitable trusts, its purpose is to support the ministry of the Church of England in Warwick, the community at large and residents of the old Borough of Warwick, today contained within the CV34 postcode. The trustees tend to favour grant applications involving the development of young people in the town of Warwick, especially music or community projects.

The Trust has provided support to St Mary’s Church on a number of occasions. It provided a large grant towards the restoration of the medieval Beauchamp Chapel, assisted the replacement of the nave chairs to aid flexibility of use of the building and, in 2022, provided significant funding towards the repairs of the church’s iconic tower.

In addition to its grant making, the Trust also owns and maintains the College Garden (pictured left). This quiet refuge, accessed from either The Butts or the Tink-a-Tank, was the location of the medieval college of priests led by a Cannon, six to eight Vicars Choral and six “Quaresters”. The college was dissolved in 1544 and the buildings eventually fell into disrepair and were demolished.