Meeting real need in Presbyterian families:

The UK and Ireland have some of the highest rates of child poverty in Europe.  Around a quarter of children in Northern Ireland live in poverty with around 8 per cent in severe poverty.

In the Republic of Ireland a quarter of children live in poverty with 14 per cent living in consistent poverty.

Poverty has a very negative impact on the lives of children and, in general, children’s health and education outcomes appear to be closely linked to family income levels.

The Presbyterian Orphan and Children’s Society cannot impact every family income or take every child out of poverty.  However, it can change the income, outlook, and therefore life chances, for many Presbyterian children and their families.

There are two major types of grants the Society provides for families:

                          •  Regular Grants
                          •  Exceptional Grants

Regular Grants

Regular grants consist of a grant payment each quarter.  Depending on financial resources, a summer grant and Christmas grant will be paid to each family for their child/ren.  The procedure for applying for a regular grant, which is always processed through a Presbyterian Minister, is set out below:

Regular Grants Procedure

1. An application form is requested by the minister.

2. The application form is completed and signed by the minister and the applicant and returned to the Society.

3. The application is reviewed by the Secretary to ensure all information is satisfactory and complete.  In most instances an interim grant is paid immediately to the family through the minister.

4. The application comes before the Governors in either April or October (whichever is closest to application date).  The Governors scrutinise all applications and decide on their selection to receive regular quarterly and special grants from the Society.

5. The Minister and the applicant are informed of the Governors decision.  A quarterly grant is sent to the applicant (now recipient) via the Minister; An information pack is also sent directly to the recipient.

6. A quarterly grant return form is sent to the minister for a report on each grant recipient.  On receipt of a satisfactorily completed return form, the quarterly grant cheque is issued to each recipient through the minister.

7. An annual financial return form is sent to the minister for completion by the grant recipient.  The completed form is returned to the Society for assessment.


The grant recipient continues to receive quarterly and special grants until they cease to be eligible, for grant support.

For a quick guide to help available email us at pat-anderson@presbyterianorphanandchildrenssociety.org

Ministers can download an application form for a regular grant by clicking on the icon below:

 Regular Grants - Application Form