Provisions in the wills of the late Dr. W. Stanford Reid and his wife Priscilla established a substantial trust fund “for the support of Reformed and Presbyterian theological education in Canada”. The fund, known as the Priscilla and Stanford Reid Trust, welcomes applications from individuals, congregations, organizations and institutions for the purpose of promoting lectures, conferences, publications and other programs and projects that satisfy the objectives of the Trust and which also satisfy the conditions mandated by the Canada Revenue Agency for those holding charitable status. Those unfamiliar with Dr. Reid or his wife Priscilla may want to become acquainted with The Reids.

The Trustees entrusted with administering these funds have defined the objectives of the Trust:

• The Trust will seek to support initiatives to promote education within the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition.
• The Trust also offers scholarship assistance to worthy candidates who wish to pursue theological education or research, especially at a graduate level. While this education or research may take place outside of Canada it will be expected that those receiving the assistance intend to make a contribution to the Christian Church in Canada. (Special consideration will be given to applicants who are endeavouring to engage in such work while in mid-career.) To date these academic scholarship grants have been restricted to those working at a doctoral level.
• The Trust is not focused exclusively on academic or technical theological endeavours but sincerely welcomes proposals which would foster a popular presentation of and appreciation for our Reformed theological heritage.

Learn more about how to apply here.

The Reid Trust continues to function according to its mandate. It meets twice each year to consider current applications to the Trust.

The Trust continues to maintain a wholehearted commitment to fulfilling the mission entrusted to us by Priscilla and Stanford Reid – namely, utilizing our assets for the support and furtherance of Reformed and Presbyterian theological education in Canada. Whatever decisions are made, that objective will not be lost.

 

The first grants from the Trust were made in June of 1999. The Trust has approved grants totalling at an average of $30,000.00 to $50,000.00 per year. During this same period, which has included some economically challenging times, we are pleased to make it known that the capital resources of the original bequest have not been reduced but comfortably maintained. We are grateful to God for the blessings that he has provided.

We remained persuaded that the original vision of the Reid’s was bold, innovative and a gracious objective that remains as important now as when they first gave of their substance to their dream. With God’s help we hope to continue the work of the Trust with renewed strength in the days ahead.

Examples of the types of grants approved since the Trust began are:

• Contributions towards major academic conferences in various academic institutions in Canada.
• Funding research that has resulted in the publication of a number of significant books of both an academic and popular nature.
• The funding of the costs related to the preparation and presentation of online courses for elders.
• Contributions towards the costs of many public lectures and forums at both Christian Institutions and public Universities.
• Grants to subsidize the holding of workshops for the training of the laity.
• Support for website projects that provide theological resources and promote Christian programs.
• Grants for academic research related to the Reformed Faith.
• A contribution towards the cost of translating and distributing reformation era materials.
• A grant to fund local historical research and publication in a project that was of personal interest to Dr. and Mrs. Reid.

Many of the projects that the Trust has chosen to support are unique, complex and creative and do not easily fit into neat categories. However, when the varieties of projects that have been funded are grouped under general headings the following approximate percentages emerge.

Approximately 30% of our grants have gone towards the sponsorship of Christian conferences (both general and academic) and to fund special lecture series open to the public. These events have taken place in a variety of locations from coast to coast in Canada.

Approximately 25% of our grants have been awarded to established academic institutions to develop programs, assist with computerization, improve resources and support the teaching programs that form part of their ongoing educational mandates.

Approximately 25% of our grants have gone to support a variety of both academic and popular publication projects.

Approximately 10% of the funds dispersed have been awarded in the form of grants and scholarships to individual students working in accredited advanced academic programs.

Approximately 10% of the grants issued have been primarily focused on lay education.

The types of projects that might legitimately seek funding support from the Reid Trust are very diverse in nature, size and complexity. Therefore, we have not attempted to devise a fill in the blanks type of application form. Rather we have developed an application process that we urge all applicants to work through.

An obvious first step is that prospective applicants should explore the material provided on this website. This will allow them to appreciate the goals for which the Trust was established and to understand the priorities that the Trustees have chosen to emphasize. Applicants will be expected to establish in their application why they believe that their project falls within these parameters and if not, why it is deserving of special consideration.

If prospective applicants are able to conclude that their project deserves to be considered by the Trust they are asked to familiarize themselves with two application documents that will assist them to prepare a formal application to the Trust. The most basic of those documents is called our Application Form. Our Application Form identifies the crucial information which the Trustees expect to receive in support of every application to the Trust.

The second document is designated “Guidelines for Applicants”. This represents a collection of suggestions and tips for applicants to the Trust that arise out of our experience of reviewing several hundred applications since 1999. These are practical suggestions concerning form and presentation which may be especially beneficial to those who do not ordinarily have occasion to prepare formal applications for funding. We do not wish to have the merit of a deserving project obscured by an application that is lacking focus.

These two crucial application documents are being provided in .pdf format. This format allows them to be consulted as part of the website but also facilitates their downloading for use on the applicants own computer or for printing. All applicants are expected to familiarize themselves with both these documents and be guided accordingly.

Please note:   Application deadlines are April 1st. and October 1st. of each year.

Download the Application Form here.

Guidelines for applicants

For more information or to apply, please write to: admin@reidtrust.com.