Charterhouse-in-southwark

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £194,405 (income 2024/25)
• Fund Size: £310,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed at trustee meetings in February, June, and October
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified (now focusing on larger, multi-year grants)
• Geographic Focus: London Borough of Southwark only
• Current Status: Not accepting new applications (as of 2024)

Contact Details

• Website: www.charterhouse-in-southwark.org
• Email: info@charterhouse-in-southwark.org
• Phone: 7788716116
• Charity Number: 208785

The charity welcomes pre-application contact and offers support in completing application forms.

Overview

Founded in 1885, Charterhouse-in-Southwark is one of the longest-serving charities in London. The organization operates as a grant-making trust with the mission to “identify and work with charitable organisations, mainly working with young people in Southwark, by making grants to help their charitable activities.” The charity's overall mission is to raise aspirations beyond limits imposed by circumstances for young people in the borough.

In 2008, the trustees transitioned the charity from being a direct service provider to becoming a fundraiser and grant-making body. In 2024, the trustees undertook a significant strategic review and shifted their approach to provide larger, multi-year grants rather than numerous smaller grants. Following this review, they selected ten inspiring grassroots sports and youth work projects across Southwark to support. The charity currently focuses its resources on revised priorities to ensure the greatest possible impact of their funding.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

As of 2024, Charterhouse-in-Southwark has transitioned to a multi-year grant model, supporting ten selected grassroots organizations. The charity had a fund size of £310,000 in 2024.

Application Method: When open, the charity operates on a fixed deadline basis aligned with trustee meetings (February, June, October). Applications are currently paused.

Priority Areas

Charterhouse-in-Southwark focuses specifically on:

• Informal education through youth clubs, holiday activity programmes, residential stays, and sports-related groups
• Disadvantaged children and young people living in the London Borough of Southwark
• Youth development opportunities that help young people learn, grow, develop, and realize their full potential
• Grassroots sports and youth work projects that reduce inequality and improve wellbeing
• Organizations working with disengaged, vulnerable, and disadvantaged children in Southwark

The charity aims to work in partnership with identified charitable providers of services for children and young people in need, helping them raise aspirations and achieve ambitions.

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations working outside the London Borough of Southwark
• Direct services to adults (focus is exclusively on children and young people)

Ready to write a winning application for Charterhouse-in-southwark?

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

The charity is governed by 7 trustees and has no employees earning over £60,000. Trustees receive no remuneration.

Chairman: George joined the board of trustees in 2018 and became Chairman in 2020. He trained as a solicitor at Simmons & Simmons where he worked for 8 years before joining Troy Asset Management in 2014.

Other Key Trustees:

• Dr. Alex Peterken: Appointed Headmaster of Charterhouse School in January 2018 and shortly after became a Trustee of Charterhouse-in-Southwark
• Peter Aiers: 34th Master and Chief Executive of the Charterhouse, previously Chief Executive of the Churches Conservation Trust
• John: Long-standing Trustee and Treasurer since 2006, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2002
• Jonny and Charlie: Joined the board of trustees in 2025

In 2010, trustees of The Charterhouse in Southwark Endowment Fund joined with the charity, strengthening the governance structure.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: Charterhouse-in-Southwark is not currently accepting new applications. In 2024, the charity transitioned to a multi-year grant model and selected ten grassroots projects to support. They will review their position and provide an update on future application opportunities at a later date.

When applications were open, the process included:

1. Expression of Interest Email: Initial contact to ensure alignment between funder and applicant
2. Telephone Call and Visit: Organized by the funder to discuss the project
3. Application Form: Downloaded from the website and submitted before the deadline
4. Support Available: The charity offered help in completing application forms

Timing Requirement: Applications needed to be submitted well in advance of trustee meetings. Applications received less than a month before a meeting would roll over to the next meeting.

Decision Timeline

When applications are open:

• Trustee Meetings: Three times per year in February, June, and October
• Processing Time: Applications must be submitted at least one month before a trustee meeting to be considered at that meeting
• Notification Methods: Not specified in available information

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. With the shift to a multi-year model supporting ten selected organizations, the charity has effectively moved to a highly selective, strategic approach to grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not documented in publicly available information.

Application Success Factors

While specific guidance for successful applications is limited in public documentation, the charity has indicated several important factors:

Strategic Alignment:

• In 2024, the trustees “took a fresh look at their funding approach and recognised that local charities would benefit more from larger, multi-year grants”
• The charity focuses resources “in line with revised priorities to ensure the greatest possible impact of their funding”
• Priority is given to grassroots sports and youth work projects

Pre-Application Engagement:

• The charity emphasizes relationship-building through their multi-stage application process (expression of interest, phone call, visit, then formal application)
• They encourage applicants to contact them for support with application forms
• They state “we are always available to chat in person, so you can get in touch if you would like any further information”

Timing and Preparation:

• The charity explicitly advises: “Applicants should not leave their application to the last minute - submitting well in advance of a trustee meeting means the application will be considered”
• Late applications (within one month of trustee meetings) are automatically deferred

Focus on Impact:

• The 2024 strategic shift indicates the charity values deeper, sustained impact over broader but shallower support
• Their selection of “ten inspiring grassroots sports and youth work projects” suggests they look for organizations demonstrating innovation and strong community connections

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Currently closed to new applications - The charity is not accepting applications as of 2024 following their strategic review and selection of ten multi-year partners
• Southwark-specific focus - You must serve disadvantaged children and young people within the London Borough of Southwark
• Shifted to multi-year model - When applications reopen, expect larger grants over multiple years rather than annual funding
• Grassroots and informal education valued - Priority goes to youth clubs, sports groups, holiday programmes, and residential stays rather than formal educational settings
• Relationship-building approach - The charity values personal contact through expression of interest, phone calls, and visits before formal applications
• Strategic timing critical - Submit applications well in advance (more than one month before) of February, June, or October trustee meetings
• Monitor for reopening - Check the charity's website for updates on when they will accept new applications again

References

• Charterhouse-in-Southwark Official Website
• Charity Commission Register - Charterhouse-in-Southwark
• Charterhouse School - Charterhouse in Southwark Partnership
• Southwark Council - Current Funding
• Southwark Funding Guide 2025

All sources.