Architects Benevolent Society

Charity Number: 265139

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Quick Stats

  • Founded: 1850
  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Often within days; student grants paid within 2 weeks
  • Grant Range: £500 - £2,500 (plus student hardship fund)
  • Geographic Focus: UK (minimum 1-2 years UK professional experience required)
  • Charity Number: 265139

Contact Details

Website: www.absnet.org.uk

Email: help@absnet.org.uk

Phone: 020 3918 8588 (ABS Helpline: 020 7580 2823)

Address: Architects Benevolent Society, UK

For enquiries about eligibility and support, contact the welfare team via the helpline or email.

Overview

Founded in 1850, the Architects Benevolent Society (ABS) is a UK charity dedicated to empowering members of the architectural community to flourish and live full and rewarding lives. The organization serves past and present members of the wider architectural profession and their families—from people just starting out in their careers to those in retirement. ABS provides confidential advice, support, and direct financial assistance in the form of regular and one-off grants to eligible individuals and families facing hardship. The charity has expanded its support to include mental health partnerships, notably with Anxiety UK, reflecting a modern, holistic approach to professional wellbeing. His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO serves as Patron of the Society. In January 2025, Simon Ashmore was appointed as CEO, bringing extensive experience from the Bank Workers Charity where he led services, wellbeing initiatives, and digital development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Hardship Grants: Up to £2,500 within a 12-month period

  • Available on a rolling basis
  • For architects, architectural technologists, landscape architects, and their dependents
  • Regular and one-off grants based on individual circumstances
  • Decision often made within days

Student Hardship Fund: Up to £1,500 lump sum

  • For final year/final semester undergraduate or Masters students
  • Architecture, Architectural Technology, and Landscape Architecture students
  • Based on unexpected and significant hardship (not educational merit)
  • Can include £500 per month for up to 3 months
  • Covers specific items: childcare, replacement laptops, travel costs
  • Grants paid within 2 weeks of complete application

Mental Health Support

  • Annual Anxiety UK membership for students (for duration of course)
  • Access to one-to-one therapy, helpline, and email services

Priority Areas

ABS actively supports individuals in the architectural profession experiencing:

  • Financial hardship due to unexpected circumstances
  • Mental health challenges including anxiety, stress, or anxiety-based depression
  • Housing issues and related advice
  • Money and debt problems with access to welfare benefits advice
  • Employment challenges
  • Physical health and disability needs
  • Legal issues

Eligibility Requirements

Professionals:

  • Architects, architectural technologists, or landscape architects with at least one year of professional experience in the UK
  • Employees of architectural practices with at least two years' experience in the UK
  • Dependents of eligible professionals

Financial Criteria for Grants:

  • Savings of less than £6,000 (or £10,000 if someone in household has long-term health condition or disability)
  • Net assets under £100,000 (including property equity)
  • Financial need assessed at 65% (or 75% for households with health condition/disability) of the relevant Minimum Income Standard (MIS)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, ABS appears focused on individual hardship rather than:

  • Organizational or institutional grants
  • Capital projects
  • Research funding
  • Educational merit scholarships (student fund is based on hardship, not merit)
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Governance and Leadership

Patron: His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO

Chief Executive Officer: Simon Ashmore (appointed January 2025)

  • Previously held key leadership role at Bank Workers Charity for over six years
  • Successfully oversaw services, wellbeing initiatives, marketing, fundraising, and digital development

Board of Trustees includes:

  • Mark Grzegorczyk: Studied architecture at the Bartlett, became chartered architect in 1983, over 30 years' experience running own practice
  • Robert Bedner: Director of Cura Design
  • Christl Hughes MBE: Recently welcomed as Trustee

The organization emphasizes transparency and publishes reports and policies on its website.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Check Eligibility

  • Use the online eligibility checker at absnet.org.uk
  • Review financial and professional criteria

Step 2: Make Contact

  • Call the ABS Helpline: 020 3918 8588
  • Email: help@absnet.org.uk
  • Submit help enquiry through website form

Step 3: Provide Information

  • The welfare team will request further information based on personal circumstances
  • Support is tailored to individual needs
  • Process is completely confidential

Note: ABS encourages anyone who is unsure about eligibility or whose situation doesn't quite match the criteria to contact the welfare team for advice and other support options.

Decision Timeline

  • General grants: Support is “impartial, confidential and flexible,” with the society responding to individual circumstances “often in a matter of days”
  • Student Hardship Fund: Grants paid within 2 weeks of a complete application
  • Rolling basis throughout the year

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the organization emphasizes accessibility and encourages individuals to reach out even if unsure about eligibility, suggesting a supportive approach to applications.

Reapplication Policy

  • Grants are available up to £2,500 within a 12-month period, suggesting individuals can receive support over time
  • No explicit restrictions on reapplication mentioned
  • Emphasis on ongoing relationship and flexible support based on changing circumstances

Application Success Factors

Key Advice from ABS

From their guidance materials:

  • “The type of support we can offer depends on your personal circumstances, and therefore we will need further information from you”
  • “We encourage anyone who is unsure or whose situation does not quite match to get in touch with our welfare team who may be able to offer advice and other support”
  • Emphasis on confidentiality: All support is described as “impartial, confidential and flexible”

What Makes Applications Successful

Meeting Financial Thresholds: Clear demonstration that you fall within the savings limits (under £6,000 or £10,000 with health conditions) and asset limits (under £100,000)

Professional Connection: At least one year of UK professional experience in architecture, architectural technology, or landscape architecture (or two years for practice employees)

Genuine Hardship: Evidence of unexpected and significant financial hardship rather than general financial pressure

Complete Information: Providing thorough information about circumstances speeds up decision-making process

Openness to Additional Support: ABS offers wraparound support beyond grants—being open to advice services, mental health support, and other resources demonstrates engagement with their holistic approach

Language and Approach

ABS uses compassionate, accessible language focusing on:

  • “Empowering” the architectural community
  • “Flourishing” and “living full and rewarding lives”
  • “Confidential” and “flexible” support
  • Partnership with mental health organizations showing progressive approach to wellbeing

Common Barriers

  • Not meeting minimum UK professional experience requirements (1-2 years)
  • Exceeding financial thresholds (savings over £6,000/£10,000 or assets over £100,000)
  • Lack of connection to architectural profession
  • For students: not being in final year/semester of study

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Low barrier to application: The organization actively encourages people to reach out even if unsure about eligibility, suggesting an accessible and supportive assessment process
  • Speed is a priority: Decisions made “often in a matter of days” for general grants and within 2 weeks for student grants—significantly faster than many grant-makers
  • Holistic support model: Beyond financial grants, ABS provides access to housing advice, mental health support, employment assistance, and welfare benefits guidance—demonstrating value for ongoing relationship beyond one-off funding
  • Financial transparency matters: Clear demonstration of financial need within specific thresholds (savings, assets, income vs. MIS) is essential for successful applications
  • Confidentiality is paramount: Repeated emphasis on confidential support suggests applicants should feel comfortable sharing sensitive information without fear of professional repercussions
  • Flexible approach: Support is “tailored to individual circumstances” rather than rigid program requirements, suggesting case-by-case assessment
  • Modern mental health focus: Partnership with Anxiety UK and emphasis on mental wellbeing indicates alignment with contemporary professional challenges in the architectural sector

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