The Weavers’ Company Benevolent Fund is seeking applications for its Charitable Grant.
The Weavers’ Company Benevolent Fund was set up in 1973 with funds from The Worshipful Company of Weavers, which is the oldest City of London Livery Company and has a history dating back before 1130 AD.
Priorities
Supporting offenders and ex-offenders: Many offenders and ex-offenders suffer from a variety of difficult, complex problems and are amongst the most vulnerable members of society. They will fund work that addresses the social and economic problems faced by this group and their families, providing them with support, life-skills training and a way back into education, training and/or employment, so that they may reintegrate and make a positive contribution to society. The particular interest is in supporting young offenders under the age of 30.
Helping disadvantaged young people: The Trustees are keen to support projects working with disadvantaged young people to ensure they are given every possible chance to realise their full potential and to participate fully in society. They normally define young people as being aged from 5 to 30 years.
Work that Cannot Normally Support Includes?
Work with children under 5 years of age
Universities or colleges
Medical charities or those involved in medical care
Organisations of and for people with disabilities, including learning and physical disabilities
Environmental projects
Work in promotion of religious or political causes
Funding Information
Grants of up to £15,000 per annum may be awarded, but smaller applications are also welcomed.
Duration of funding: Grants are normally awarded for one year only. The Company can however exceptionally consider applications for multi-year funding, up to three years.
What won’t they fund?
Long-term support: They will not normally provide long-term support.
General appeals: They will not support sponsorship, marketing or other fundraising activities.
Endowment Funds: They will not support endowment funds, nor bursaries or long-term capital projects.
Grant-giving charities: They will not provide grants to grant-giving charities.
Retrospective funding: They will not make grants for work that has been completed or will be completed while the application is being considered.
Replacement funding: They will not provide grants for work that should be covered by statutory funding.
Building projects: They will not fund building work, but may help with the cost of equipment or furnishings.
Disability Discrimination Act: They will not fund capital projects to provide access in compliance with the DDA.
Personal Appeals: They will not make grants to individuals.
Umbrella bodies or large, established organisations: They will not normally support projects in which the charity is collaborating or working in partnership with umbrella bodies or large, established organisations.
Overseas: They will not support organisations working outside the UK, nor overseas expeditions or travel.
Criteria
Once they have received your application form, the process is as follows:
They will contact you should any further information be required for the initial assessment.
You will be advised within two weeks of a closing date if your application has been short-listed.
If shortlisted, they will arrange an Assessment Visit. You will be visited by a member of the Company who will discuss your project with you in more detail and who will make a recommendation to the Committee. The members live throughout the UK and are often able to bring local knowledge to bear. The number of applications received by the Company far outstrips the funds available, so even if shortlisted and a positive recommendation is made, it may not be possible to award a grant.
All shortlisted applicants will be advised in writing of the Committee’s decision within two weeks of the meeting.
Applicants awarded a grant will be required to provide progress reports for the duration of the grant.
