Fishmongers' Company's Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,275,028 (latest income reported)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (high competition noted)
• Decision Time: Variable - applicants notified after Philanthropy and Grants Committee meetings
• Grant Range: £15,000 - £30,000 per annum (up to £90,000 over 3 years)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily London (City of London and select boroughs)

Contact Details

Website: www.fishmongers.org.uk

Email: charity@fishmongers.org.uk

Phone: 020 7626 3531

Address: Fishmongers' Hall, London EC4R 9EL

For Grant Enquiries: Contact the Grants Officer through the enquiry form on the Contact Us page, selecting 'Philanthropy & Grants Team' in the Enquiry Type dropdown menu.

Overview

The Fishmongers' Company's Charitable Trust (registered charity 263690) was established in 1972 and operates as a grant-giving trust supporting charitable organizations predominantly in and around the City of London. With an annual income of over £1.2 million, the Trust continues to support longstanding beneficiaries in the advancement of education and the prevention and relief of hardship. The Trust has evolved its strategic focus to concentrate on three priority areas: mental health (with emphasis on suicide prevention), food and nutrition (particularly for disadvantaged children and young people), and education in prisons and resettlement support. The Trust offers multi-year grants, typically spanning up to three years, allowing for sustained support and long-term impact for their beneficiaries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £15,000 - £30,000 per annum

• Multi-year grants agreed in principle for up to three years (maximum £90,000 total over three years)
• Subject to annual review
• Application method: Fixed funding rounds (applications typically open annually)

Priority Areas

Mental Health

• Suicide prevention is a current priority focus
• Projects supporting mental health services in select London boroughs

Food & Nutrition

• Projects benefitting children and young people from low-income backgrounds
• Skills development and training in catering
• Healthy eating initiatives and education
• Focus on food security and nutrition education

Education in Prisons and Resettlement Support

• Education programs both within prisons and in the community
• Funded both in and outside London
• Support for prisoner rehabilitation and resettlement

Geographic Preference

In the areas of Food & Nutrition and Mental Health, preference is given to projects in the following London Boroughs:

• City of London
• Camden
• Hackney
• Islington
• Lambeth
• Southwark
• Tower Hamlets
• Newham
• Westminster

Education in Prisons projects are funded both in and outside London.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Applications on behalf of third-party organizations
• Organizations with political associations
• General running costs (must be project-specific funding)
• Organizations with annual income under £100,000 or over £5,000,000

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Governance and Leadership

The Fishmongers' Company is one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London and has a long history of charitable giving dating back centuries. The Company is governed by a Court of 34 Assistants, from which six Wardens are selected. The Prime Warden (equivalent to Chairman) is elected annually, creating rotating leadership.

Executive Leadership:

• Clerk: Toby Williamson (joined February 2017, former Royal Navy officer with 34 years of service)
• Deputy Clerk and Chief Operating Officer: Joanna Allinson (Executive lead for Philanthropy and Grants)

The executive team leads over 30 staff members. Six specialized Committees provide expertise in key management areas, comprising Wardens, Court Assistants, and co-opted Liverymen. The Philanthropy and Grants Committee oversees all charitable grant-making activities.

Important Note: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Check:

• Must be a registered charity, social enterprise, or community interest company
• Annual income must be between £100,000 and £5,000,000
• Organization must be delivering the project directly (not applying on behalf of third parties)
• Must clearly identify project objectives and measurable outcomes

Application Method:

• Fixed funding rounds (not rolling basis)
• Applications typically open annually
• Applications for 2026 funding: Details will be updated in autumn 2025

Submission Process:

1. Complete the application form with all required documentation
2. Grant Officer will acknowledge receipt and may request additional information
3. Application is formally assessed for eligibility
4. Eligible applications are submitted to the next Philanthropy and Grants Committee meeting
5. Applicants are contacted with the decision following the Committee meeting

Decision Timeline

• Variable timeline depending on Committee meeting schedule
• Applicants should expect delays due to high volume of applications
• Notification is sent after the Philanthropy and Grants Committee meeting
• For specific timelines, contact the Grants Officer directly

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust notes that “due to the high volume of applications we receive,” competition is significant. The Trust also states they cannot always provide feedback on unsuccessful applications due to the volume of requests.

Reapplication Policy

Based on Fishmongers' Company grant policies:

• Unsuccessful applicants must typically wait at least one year from notification of rejection before reapplying
• Only one application per organization will be considered in any one year (with possible exceptions)
• Organizations that have received a grant should note that a further application will not normally be considered for three years from the date of approval of the last grant

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors:

1. Clear Project Focus: Applications must be for specific project funding, not general running costs. Organizations must clearly identify key objectives and measurable outcomes.

1. Geographic Relevance: For Mental Health and Food & Nutrition projects, strong preference for work in the eight specified London boroughs. Education in Prisons has broader geographic flexibility.

• Suicide prevention (within mental health)
• Work with children and young people from low-income backgrounds (within food & nutrition)
• Skills development and training in catering/healthy eating

1. Organizational Capacity: The annual income threshold (£100,000 - £5,000,000) suggests they seek established organizations with proven track records but not large national charities.

1. Long-term Impact: The multi-year grant structure indicates preference for projects with sustained impact rather than one-off initiatives.

Strategic Considerations:

• The Trust maintains relationships with “longstanding beneficiaries,” suggesting they value ongoing partnerships
• Direct delivery is essential - they do not fund organizations applying on behalf of others
• Due to high competition, applications should be exceptionally well-prepared and directly aligned with stated priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on the Three Priorities: Ensure your project clearly fits within mental health (especially suicide prevention), food & nutrition (particularly for disadvantaged youth), or education in prisons. Projects outside these areas are unlikely to succeed.

• Geographic Targeting Matters: If applying for mental health or food & nutrition funding, projects must be in one of the eight specified London boroughs for best chance of success.

• Multi-Year Thinking: Frame your project to demonstrate need for sustained support over 2-3 years. The Trust prefers long-term impact over short-term initiatives.

• Competition is High: Applications should be exceptional. Given the high volume and limited feedback on rejections, ensure your application is thoroughly prepared before submission.

• Size Matters: With income requirements of £100,000-£5,000,000, they seek mid-sized organizations. Very small grassroots groups and large national charities are not the target.

• Measurable Outcomes Essential: Clearly identify key objectives and quantifiable outcomes. Vague goals will not succeed in this competitive environment.

• Plan for Annual Cycles: With fixed funding rounds opening typically once per year and multi-year grant structures, plan your application timing carefully. Missing a round means waiting another year.

References

• Fishmongers' Company Grants Page: https://fishmongers.org.uk/grants/
• UK Charity Commission Register - Fishmongers' Company's Charitable Trust (263690): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=263690&subId=0
• 360Giving GrantNav - Fishmongers' Company's Charitable Trust: https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-263690
• Fishmongers' Company Organisation and Governance: https://fishmongers.org.uk/governance-and-the-executive/
• Giving is Great Charity Factsheet - Fishmongers' Company's Charitable Trust: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=263690