About the Foundation

The Foundation was established in 1979 by a deed from Sir Kirby Laing and his trustees. Relatively modest to begin with it has grown in line with inflation and by growth in the value of the funds and assets managed.

The foundation has given to a wide range of charities but has remained “true” to the ethos of the Laing family; Sir Kirby, and also his father Sir John.

David grew up in a household where there was a strong and firm Belief, and his background, schooling and family life all reflected this. This background is common to Mary and all of the trustees.

David, Mary, and their fellow trustees are fully aware of how fortunate they are and have been. The giving from the Foundation reflects this awareness and over the years it has been a strong supporter of those who have not been so fortunate and the areas where the family and trustees have particularly benefitted.

Youth/Education/Disabilities/Music/Sport/Aging/Health/Art/welfare/and projects where church and belief can improve lives and the sustainability of communities.

Both David and Mary have very wide interests and have enjoyed roles that have allowed them to have strong connections to organisations involved in these areas. The trustees are looking forward to ensure good continuity of the foundations objectives and have a trustee board with the skillsets and experience to deliver them.

The trustees have been involved in the establishment and growth of Community Foundations in their individual geographical areas.

As a body these have allowed the Foundation to invest in a much wider range of charities and causes than they would have been able to without employing a disproportionate level of staff and overheads.

The funding has been made into specific named funds within the foundations and this has proved to be a sound investment strategy. The Community Foundations supported are; Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and more recently “The Heart Of Bucks”.

All of these Community Foundations have flourished and are very effective at managing the Trusts objectives.