In 1703 by Statutes 2 & 3 Anne, c.11, a body was set up to be known as ‘The Governors of the Bounty of Queen Anne for the augmentation of the maintenance of the poor clergy’. A perpetual fund was set up to add a capital sum of £200 to livings of less than £10 per annum. Once this was done, those of less than £20 per annum could receive £200. Extra money could be given if anyone, such as the patron of the living, would also donate £200.

This aid was originally for the Church of England clergy, from a fund which drew on the revenues confiscated by Henry VII.

The administration for this was taken over by the Church of England Commissioners in 1948.