Eleemosynary Charity Of William Hobbayne

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £267,999 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £275,111 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Ealing (priority to Hanwell residents), W7 postcode area
• Founded: 1484 (over 540 years old)

Contact Details

Address: The William Hobbayne Centre, St. Dunstans Road, London, W7 2HB

Phone: 020 8810 0277

Email:

• clerk@williamhobbaynecharity.co.uk
• info@williamhobbaynecharity.co.uk

Website: www.williamhobbaynecharity.co.uk

Overview

The Eleemosynary Charity of William Hobbayne is one of the UK's oldest continuously operating charities, established in 1484 when local resident William Hobbayne bequeathed 22 acres of land and a house for “godly purposes” to benefit the poor. The charity operates three charity funds providing grants to families, individuals, and organisations in Ealing, with priority given to Hanwell residents. With an annual income of approximately £268,000, the charity relieves residents who are in conditions of need, hardship, or distress by making grants of money or paying for items, services, or facilities. Beyond grant-making, the charity operates the William Hobbayne Community Centre, manages allotments and community gardens, and maintains green spaces for local use. In 2022, the charity received the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, recognizing the outstanding work of its volunteers. The charity is governed by 13 trustees and operates through three distinct charitable branches.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity operates three separate charity funds:

1. Individual and Family Grants

• Available to a wider geographical area within Ealing (excluding Acton and Southall)
• Priority given to Hanwell residents (W7 postcode area)
• Applicants typically have a medical condition
• Grants provide relief for those in need, hardship, or distress
• Application method: Through a sponsor (rolling basis)

2. Organisational Grants

• Available to schools, educational establishments, and youth groups
• Must engage with residents of Hanwell specifically
• Supports organisations sharing the charity's aims of relieving need
• Application method: Contact charity directly

3. Related Educational Foundation

• Operates as a separate branch (Educational Foundation of William Hobbayne, Charity No. 312544)
• Provides assistance to educational establishments within London W7 only
• Supports pre-schools and groups such as scouts/guides

Priority Areas

• Relief of poverty and hardship for Ealing residents
• Medical needs and health-related expenses
• Support for families and individuals in distress
• Educational support through youth groups and schools in Hanwell
• Community wellbeing through the William Hobbayne Centre
• Environmental support through allotments and community gardens

What They Don't Fund

• Residents of Acton and Southall (explicitly excluded from coverage area)
• Organisations not engaging with Hanwell residents (for organisational grants)
• Individuals outside the Ealing borough (with focus on W7 postcode)

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 13 trustees and operates with the support of volunteers, receiving no remuneration for their service.

Chair: Rev Andrew Dand (appointed 2017)

• Also serves as Rector of St Mary's Church, Hanwell
• The Rector of St Mary's church in Hanwell is automatically (ex officio) appointed as the charity's Chair
• This reflects the charity's historical connection to the parish

Other Trustees (partial list):

• Mark Cosstick
• Paul Lovell (appointed 2024)

The charity employs no staff with benefits over £60,000 and relies heavily on volunteer support. In 2022, this volunteer contribution was recognized with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local volunteer groups in the UK.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individuals and Families:

Individuals and families cannot apply directly. Applications must be submitted by a sponsor on behalf of the person in need.

Eligible Sponsors Include:

• Social workers
• Members of the clergy
• School teachers or administrators
• Medical practitioners
• Other professional supporters

Application Method:

• Contact the charity by email (info@williamhobbaynecharity.co.uk) or phone (020 8810 0277) to request an application form
• The sponsor completes the application on behalf of the individual/family
• If successful, the grant is paid to the sponsor, who then uses it to support the person in need

For Organisations:

Schools, educational establishments, and youth groups engaging with Hanwell residents should contact the charity directly to discuss their needs and application process.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Interested applicants should contact the charity directly for information about typical processing times.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Contact the charity directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Given the sponsor-based application system and the charity's 540-year history of serving the local community, the following factors are important:

Geographic Focus is Critical:

• Priority is given to Hanwell residents (W7 postcode)
• Ealing residents are eligible, but Acton and Southall are explicitly excluded
• For individual grants, applicants typically need to demonstrate a medical condition
• For organisational grants, must demonstrate engagement with Hanwell residents

Work Through the Right Sponsor:

• The sponsor-based system suggests the charity values professional assessment of need
• Building relationships with social workers, clergy, teachers, or medical practitioners in the Hanwell area is essential
• The sponsor serves as both advocate and gatekeeper

Historical Community Connections:

• The charity has operated continuously in Hanwell since 1484
• The ex officio appointment of the local rector as Chair demonstrates the importance of parish connections
• The charity's receipt of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (2022) reflects its deep community roots
• Organisations with established Hanwell connections may be favored

Demonstrate Clear Need:

• The charity's purpose is to relieve “need, hardship or distress”
• Applications should clearly articulate the specific hardship being addressed
• For individuals, medical conditions are typically a factor
• The charity provides grants for “items, services or facilities” that reduce need

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic targeting is essential: Priority goes to Hanwell (W7 postcode), with Ealing eligible but Acton and Southall excluded
• You cannot apply directly for individual grants: Build relationships with social workers, clergy, teachers, or medical practitioners who can sponsor applications
• Medical needs are prioritized: Individual/family grants typically involve applicants with medical conditions
• Local engagement matters for organisations: Schools, educational establishments, and youth groups must demonstrate engagement with Hanwell residents
• The charity values community connection: Over 540 years of continuous service and the 2022 Queen's Award for Voluntary Service reflect deep local roots
• Multiple funds available: Three separate charity funds operate, so ensure you're approaching the right one for your needs
• Contact directly for guidance: With limited public information on timelines and amounts, direct contact with the charity is recommended

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Harrow Mission
• THE HAMPSTEAD WELLS AND CAMPDEN TRUST
• The Hornsey Parochial Charities
• Hampton Fuel Allotment
• The Old Enfield Charitable Trust
• Strand Parishes Trust
• JOHN LYON'S CHARITY
• Tom and Sheila Springer Charity
• West Hackney Parochial Charity
• Fassnidge Memorial Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register: Eleemosynary Charity of William Hobbayne (211547). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/211547 []
• William Hobbayne Charity official website: www.williamhobbaynecharity.co.uk []
• Wikipedia: Charity of William Hobbayne. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charity_of_William_Hobbayne []
• Turn2Us Grants Search: The Eleemosynary Charity of William Hobbayne. Available at: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-eleemosynary-charity-of-william-hobbayne-14303 []
• GoodGym: Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - William Hobbayne Charity celebration. Available at: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/queen-s-award-for-voluntary-service-william-hobbayne-charity-celebration []
• Ealing Council: The Charity of William Hobbayne. Available at: https://dosomethinggood.ealing.gov.uk/community-support/the-charity-of-william-hobbayne/ []