Lichfield Theological College General Purposes Fund (Trust 142)
Charity 528648
Overview
Summary
Lichfield Theological College General Purposes Fund appears to be a geographically rooted Church of England grant-maker whose role is to sustain the local pathway into ordained ministry and continuing religious learning. Its significance lies less in delivering services directly than in resourcing people and institutions that develop church leadership across a historically defined area. The fund may therefore operate as a quiet capacity-building mechanism within the Diocese of Lichfield’s religious ecosystem.
Operational geography
Coverage: Regional
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence confirms that Birmingham is included in the charity's defined area of benefit only insofar as parts of the Diocese of Birmingham formed part of the Diocese of Lichfield in 1872. It does not identify current grants, trainees, delivery venues or activities in any specific area or recognised place in Birmingham.
- The charity appears to operate as a grant-making fund supporting theological training rather than through locally delivered services. No evidence was found of a physical operational site in Birmingham.
- The registered contact address is at Lichfield Diocesan Trust in Lichfield and should be treated as an administrative or correspondence address, not evidence of a Birmingham operating site.
- No material delivery partnerships, funded organisations, or current beneficiary locations in Birmingham were identified from the available official records.
- The regional coverageType is a reasonable interpretation of the fund's legally defined area of benefit, which spans the present Diocese of Lichfield and specified historic parts of the Birmingham, Derby and Worcester diocesan areas; it is not direct evidence that grants are currently distributed across all of that geography.
Additional evidence needed
- The most recent annual report or trustees' report identifying grants awarded, recipient organisations or trainees' locations.
- A current grant policy or application guidance confirming the geographical eligibility area and whether applicants from Birmingham are presently supported.
- A list of current or recent grants, with recipient location or diocesan affiliation, sufficient to establish whether the fund is active in particular areas of Birmingham.
- Confirmation from Lichfield Diocesan Trust or the charity's trustees of any Birmingham-based administrative, training or partner sites.
Areas of work
- Religious Activities
Who they help
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Makes Grants To Individuals
- Makes Grants To Organisations
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A capacity-building role in local ministry
The fund appears to strengthen the future supply and development of Church of England ministry by supporting people training for priesthood and further religious education.
Why it matters
This suggests the charity’s influence may be long-term and indirect: its grants could affect the capability of churches and communities through the people who later serve them.
Show evidence
“The main purpose of the charity is to offer financial support for those undertaking training into the priesthood of the Church of England.”
Source:Organisation“The charity also offers support in encouraging the persons concerned in further religious education.”
Source:Organisation
A grant-maker rather than a frontline provider
The available evidence indicates that the fund operates principally by distributing resources to individuals and organisations, rather than through its own programmes or facilities.
Why it matters
Understanding this operating model shifts attention toward its beneficiaries, grant decisions and institutional relationships, which are likely to reveal its practical impact.
Show evidence
“Makes Grants To Individuals, Makes Grants To Organisations.”
Source:Charity Commission“The main purpose of the charity is to offer financial support.”
Source:Organisation
A historically bounded diocesan connection
The fund appears designed to serve a Church of England area defined not only by the present Diocese of Lichfield, but also by parts of Birmingham and Derby linked to Lichfield’s 1872 boundaries.
Why it matters
This unusual territorial definition may create relationships or eligibility patterns that do not align neatly with current diocesan borders, making historical geography important to understanding who the fund can support.
Show evidence
“The charity furthers the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in the Diocese of Lichfield as presently constituted.”
Source:Charity Commission“The objects include those parts of the Diocese of Birmingham and of the Diocese of Derby which in 1872 formed part of the Diocese of Lichfield.”
Source:Charity Commission
- It is unclear who receives grants in practice and whether support is concentrated on individuals, training institutions or parish-based organisations.
- There is no evidence of grant size, selection criteria, current partnerships, geographic reach or outcomes.
- It is unclear how broadly the fund interprets 'other charitable work' beyond priesthood training and religious education.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent grant lists showing recipients, purposes, amounts and locations.
- Eligibility criteria and decision-making guidance.
- Annual reports or accounts explaining expenditure, outcomes and relationships with diocesan or theological education bodies.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
the main purpose of the charity is to offer financial support for those undertaking training into the priesthood of the Church of England, and also to offer support in encouraging the persons concerned in further religious education.
Charity objects
FOR THE PURPOSE OF FURTHERING THE RELIGIOUS AND OTHER CHARITABLE WORK OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN THE DIOCESE OF LICHFIELD AS PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED TOGETHER WITH THOSE PARTS OF THE DIOCESE OF BIRMINGHAM AND OF THE DIOCESE OF DERBY WHICH IN 1872 FORMED PART OF THE DIOCESE OF LICHFIELD.