Chartered Accountants' Livery Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £175,000 (2022-23)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly trustee meetings (applications decided at next meeting)
• Grant Range: £250 - £3,000 (standard grants); £75,000 annually for 3 years (Major Project Award)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily England and Wales (no formal restriction)
• Total Income: £237,386 (2023-24)
• Total Expenditure: £218,435 (2023-24)

Contact Details

• Website: www.accountantslivery.org
• Email: charity@accountantslivery.org
• Phone: 07779 146963
• Clerk to the Charity: Susan Field
• Almoner (Chair of Trustees): Dr Hilary Lindsay (almoner@accountantslivery.org)

Overview

The Chartered Accountants' Livery Charity (registered charity number 327681), previously known as the “Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales General Charitable Trust Fund,” was established under a trust deed dated 14 January 1988, as amended on 15 April 2015. The charity is the philanthropic arm of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants, one of the City of London's livery companies, ranking eighty-sixth in order of precedence. In 2022-23, the charity made 44 grants totalling £175,000 to deserving causes. The charity operates with seven trustees and 15 volunteers, with no trustees receiving remuneration. Its strategic approach focuses on education, financial literacy, social mobility, and causes connected to the accountancy profession and the City of London, with particular emphasis on making grants that will create a significant difference to beneficiaries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grants: £250 - £3,000

• Rolling applications with quarterly deadlines
• 44 grants awarded in 2022-23
• Application via online Grant Application Form
• Four trustee meetings annually (May, September, January, March)

Major Project Award: £75,000 annually for 3 years (total £225,000)

• Triennial award for single charity project
• Next award: 2026
• Competitive selection process with site visits and presentations
• Must demonstrate measurable outcomes supporting charity's objects

PhD Bursary Awards: £5,000 annually for 3 years (full-time)

• For ICAEW members (ACA or FCA qualified)
• Part-time students receive pro rata amounts over longer period
• Must have good honours degree or equivalent
• Supports research in accountancy-related fields

Priority Areas

The trustees actively support:

• Education: Financial literacy, numeracy, literacy, and digital skills for all ages
• Social Mobility: Causes that alleviate poverty for children and youth in need
• Military Welfare: Personnel from the Company's military affiliations
• Member-Championed Causes: Projects where Company members have personal involvement and knowledge
• Accountancy Profession: Causes associated with accountancy, the City of London, or the Livery
• Significant Impact: Projects where the grant will make a material difference

What They Don't Fund

The charity explicitly does not support:

• Single-religion promotion
• Political causes
• Animal welfare
• Medical research
• Individuals (except PhD bursaries for ICAEW members)
• Sporting events (unlikely to support)

Ready to write a winning application for Chartered Accountants' Livery Charity?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

• Almoner (Chair of Trustees): Dr Hilary Lindsay (almoner@accountantslivery.org)
• Clerk to the Charity: Susan Field (charity@accountantslivery.org)
• Clerk to the Company: Jonathan Grosvenor MA(Oxon) ACA JP (appointed September 2016)

Governance Structure

• Seven trustees oversee grant-making
• 15 volunteers support charity operations
• No trustee remuneration
• Quarterly trustee meetings for grant decisions
• Separate Major Project Award panel for triennial awards

Recent Grant Recipients

The charity has supported diverse organizations including:

• Beyond Food Foundation (2023-26 Major Project Award winner): £75,000 annually for FreshLife programmes, supporting 120 vulnerable beneficiaries through food-based education and training
• Create (2020-22 Major Project Award winner): “change:matters” financial education program for young carers
• Open University (2017-19 Major Project Award winner): “Managing My Money: Young Adults” course for ages 16-18, now embedded nationally
• MyBnk (2014-16 Major Project Award winner): “Money Twist” programme reaching 15,000+ young people
• City Harvest London: Livery Food Initiative truck redistributing food to vulnerable Londoners
• The GASP Motor Project: Motor mechanic training for disadvantaged young people in Surrey
• The Financial Smarties Programme: Financial literacy training for young women in Hackney
• Treloar's: Residential home for severely disabled children in south London
• St Paul's Cathedral: First orchestral mass since lockdown

A young carer who benefited from Create's program noted: “Now I know how to help my Mum manage her money and last the whole month through budgeting.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Standard Grants (£250 - £3,000):

1. Complete the Grant Application Form available at www.accountantslivery.org
2. Submit form only—no additional materials unless specifically requested
3. Submit annual accounts or safeguarding policy if appropriate
4. Applications due two weeks before quarterly trustee meetings

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a registered charity or organization with sound governance
• Current on Charity Commission and Companies House filings
• Solvent with documented safeguarding policies in order
• Strong preference for causes with Company member knowledge or support

Major Project Award (triennial, next 2026):

1. Submit initial application during open period
2. Applications reviewed and narrowed to shortlist
3. Shortlisted organizations receive site visits from panel members
4. Finalists make formal presentations to selection panel
5. Final selection via panel vote and chairman recommendation

Decision Timeline

Standard Grants:

• May Meeting: Application deadline 28 April 2025, meeting 19 May 2025
• September Meeting: Application deadline 25 August 2025, meeting 15 September 2025
• January Meeting: Dates to be confirmed for 2026
• March Meeting: Dates to be confirmed for 2026

Decision time: Applications are typically decided at the next scheduled trustee meeting following the deadline (approximately 2-3 weeks after submission).

Major Project Award:

Timeline spans several months from application to final selection, including review, site visits, and finalist presentations.

Success Rates

The charity does not publicly disclose success rates or the total number of applications received. In 2022-23, 44 grants were awarded from an undisclosed number of applications.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. For guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt, contact the Clerk to the Charity directly.

Application Success Factors

Funder-Specific Insights

Connection to Company Members:

The charity explicitly states that “members of the Company not only support an application, but have knowledge of the applicant” is viewed as “important for due diligence.” This suggests that applications championed by Livery Company members have a significant advantage.

Demonstrating Significant Impact:

The charity prioritizes causes “where the grant will make a significant difference.” Applications should clearly articulate how even a relatively modest grant (£250-£3,000) will create meaningful change for beneficiaries.

Measurable Outcomes:

Particularly for the Major Project Award, the charity emphasizes projects with “measurable outcomes.” Successful applications include specific metrics and evaluation frameworks.

Financial Management:

Organizations must demonstrate sound financial governance. The charity conducts independent research and may “access further information in the public domain when reviewing applications.” Ensure your publicly available financial information (Charity Commission filings, website) is current and demonstrates fiscal responsibility.

Alignment with Core Themes:

Study the charity's funding history. Recent grants cluster around:

• Food security and skills training (Beyond Food, City Harvest)
• Financial literacy for vulnerable groups (Financial Smarties, MyBnk, Open University)
• Youth development and social mobility (GASP Motor Project, Create)
• Cultural and civic causes (St Paul's Cathedral)

Education Focus:

The charity shows strong preference for “core enabling skills such as financial literacy, numeracy, literacy and digital skills” across all age groups.

Major Project Award Strategy:

Previous winners demonstrated:

• Clear three-year project plans with annual milestones
• Strong evaluation frameworks showing impact on defined vulnerable populations
• Sustainability beyond the funding period
• Successful adaptation to challenges (e.g., Create pivoted to online delivery during COVID-19)

Process Tips

Keep It Simple:

Submit only the Grant Application Form unless specifically requested otherwise. The charity conducts its own research rather than requesting extensive supporting documentation.

Demonstrate Due Diligence:

Ensure all regulatory filings are current and safeguarding policies are robust. The charity reviews public records independently.

Geographic Scope:

While there's no formal geographic restriction, “most causes supported will operate within England and Wales.”

Application Timing:

Submit applications at least two weeks before trustee meetings to ensure consideration at the next quarterly decision point.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Leverage Livery connections: Applications with Company member knowledge or support receive preference for due diligence purposes. If you have any connection to Chartered Accountants, highlight this prominently.

• Focus on materiality: Emphasize how the grant will make a “significant difference” to your beneficiaries, even if the amount seems modest relative to your overall budget.

• Education and skills are golden: Projects focused on financial literacy, numeracy, literacy, or digital skills align strongly with the charity's mission and funding history.

• Keep documentation clean: Ensure Charity Commission filings, Companies House submissions, and safeguarding policies are current and publicly available, as trustees conduct independent due diligence.

• Consider the Major Project Award: If your project requires £225,000 over three years (2026 cycle), start planning early for the competitive selection process, including measurable outcomes and sustainability plans.

• Member relationships matter: The charity values causes where members have personal involvement. Building relationships with ICAEW members or Livery Company members could strengthen future applications.

• Quarterly opportunities: With four annual deadlines, unsuccessful applicants can refine and resubmit relatively quickly compared to annual grantmakers.

References

• Chartered Accountants' Company. “How to Apply for a Grant.”. https://accountantslivery.org/how-to-apply-for-a-grant/

• Chartered Accountants' Company. “Major Project Awards.”. https://accountantslivery.org/major-project-awards/

• Chartered Accountants' Company. “Our PhD Bursary Awards.”. https://accountantslivery.org/our-phd-bursary-awards/

• Charity Commission for England and Wales. "Chartered Accountants' Livery Charity - Charity Overview (327681)." Register of Charities.. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=327681&subId=0

• Charity Commission for England and Wales. "Chartered Accountants' Livery Charity - Full Print (327681)." Register of Charities.. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/327681/full-print

• ICAEW. "Volunteers' Week 2024: getting in on the action." June 2024. https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2024/jun-2024/volunteers-week-2024-getting-in-on-the-action

• Wikipedia. “Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worshipful_Company_of_Chartered_Accountants_in_England_and_Wales