Merchant Taylors' Consolidated Charities For The Poor

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £458,214
• Annual Expenditure: £518,199
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: London (historically focused on specific boroughs)

Contact Details

Address: Merchant Taylors' Hall, 30 Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8JB

Phone: 020 7450 4440

Email: charities@merchant-taylors.co.uk

Website: www.merchant-taylors.co.uk/charities/

Overview

Merchant Taylors' Consolidated Charities for the Poor (charity number 214267) is a historic grant-making charity established and managed by the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company's philanthropic activities date back to the early 1300s, with charitable bequests for poor relief accumulated over centuries. This specific consolidated charity was formally registered and operates alongside its sister charity, the Consolidated Charities for the Infirm (charity 214266). The charity has three trustees, none of whom receive remuneration, and operates with a financial year income of £458,214 (recent reporting period). The charity receives supplemental income from other Merchant Taylors' charitable trusts, including one quarter of the income from John Harrison's Charity (charity 214269). The Merchant Taylors' Company transitioned from a trade guild to a primarily philanthropic organization around 1690, and today focuses its charitable work across four London boroughs: Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, and Lewisham.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

This charity operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to support poor relief initiatives aligned with the charity's objects.

The broader Merchant Taylors' charitable network (which includes this charity) provides:

• Support for poor relief and financial hardship
• Assistance to individuals and families in need
• Grants to organizations working with disadvantaged populations

Priority Areas

Based on the Merchant Taylors' Company's broader charitable focus:

• Relief of poverty and financial hardship
• Support for elderly and isolated individuals in Inner London
• Assistance to people living with disabilities
• Community-based charities in Hackney, Lewisham, Southwark, and Tower Hamlets
• Almshouse provision

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly disclosed, but as an invitation-only funder focused on poor relief, the charity likely does not fund:

• Activities outside their geographic focus areas
• Projects unrelated to poverty relief
• Organizations without established track records or connections

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors through its leadership structure.

Current Master (2025-26): Alderman Sir Nicholas Lyons

Wardens (2025-26):

• First Upper Warden: Lady Harding
• Second Upper Warden: Mr Richard Nourse
• Upper Renter Warden: Mr Harry Parshall
• Under Renter Warden: Ms Lucinda Orr

The Master and Wardens oversee all committees and decisions during their year of governance and drive the Company's strategy toward achieving its charitable goals. The Court of Assistants (19 members) serves as the executive committee and trustees, appointed by the Full Court and charged with routine management of the Company and its charities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This charity does not have a public application process. Grants are made by invitation only, and unsolicited applications will not be considered.

The charity's trustees proactively identify organizations and causes aligned with their charitable objects for poor relief. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their strategic priorities and internal selection processes.

Getting on Their Radar

While the charity does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations may increase their visibility through:

• Board-level connections: The Merchant Taylors' Company has an extensive network of members and trustees. Organizations whose board members have existing relationships with Merchant Taylors' members or trustees may be more likely to come to the charity's attention.

• Geographic presence: The Merchant Taylors' Company focuses its philanthropy on four London boroughs: Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, and Lewisham. Organizations demonstrably working in these areas are within the Company's sphere of interest.

• Merchant Taylors' Hall events: The Company hosts events at Merchant Taylors' Hall (30 Threadneedle Street, London). Networking within the Livery Company system and London philanthropic circles may create opportunities for connection.

• Work with Merchant Taylors' Foundation: While a separate entity, the Merchant Taylors' Foundation offers public grant schemes for charities in the same four London boroughs. Organizations that successfully receive Foundation funding may come to the attention of other Merchant Taylors' charitable entities.

• Leverage existing funders: Requesting introductions from current funders who may have connections to the Merchant Taylors' Company can provide warm introductions rather than cold outreach.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, decision timelines are determined internally by trustees.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the invitation-only model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Application Success Factors

Since this charity operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that may receive invitations likely demonstrate:

• Established track record: Given the formal governance structure and fiduciary responsibilities, the charity likely invites organizations with proven track records in poverty relief.

• Geographic alignment: Strong focus on or exclusive service to populations in Hackney, Lewisham, Southwark, and Tower Hamlets would align with the Merchant Taylors' Company's stated geographic priorities.

• Clear poverty relief impact: Direct, measurable impact on relieving poverty and supporting individuals in financial hardship would be central to the charity's mission.

• Financial stability and governance: As trustees of historic charitable funds, the Merchant Taylors' Company would likely prioritize well-governed organizations with sound financial management.

• Personal connections: The Livery Company system operates through longstanding relationships and networks. Organizations with board members or patrons connected to the Merchant Taylors' Company may have greater visibility.

• Complementary values: The Merchant Taylors' Company has over 700 years of history and tradition. Organizations that respect heritage, demonstrate professionalism, and align with traditional charitable values may resonate with trustees.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application route: This charity does not accept unsolicited applications, so traditional grant writing will not result in funding from this specific source.

• Focus on relationship building: The only pathway to potential funding is through board-level connections, introductions from existing funders, or networking within Livery Company and London philanthropic circles.

• Geographic specificity matters: The Merchant Taylors' Company has explicitly focused its modern philanthropy on four London boroughs (Hackney, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets), so organizations outside these areas are unlikely to be invited.

• Consider the Merchant Taylors' Foundation instead: For organizations seeking accessible funding from the Merchant Taylors' network, the Merchant Taylors' Foundation offers public grant schemes with online application processes.

• Historical connections: With over 700 years of charitable activity, the Merchant Taylors' Company may have longstanding relationships with certain organizations or sectors that continue to receive support.

• Long-term relationship strategy: If your organization works in the target boroughs on poverty relief, invest in building genuine relationships with Livery Company members and London philanthropic networks over years, not months.

• Leverage warm introductions: If you discover a connection between your board members and Merchant Taylors' trustees or members, a warm introduction is significantly more valuable than any cold outreach.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Merchant Taylors' Company Charities Fund
• Makers of Playing Cards Charity
• The Haberdashers' Foundation
• The Hobson Charity Limited
• The Jessica Mathers Trust
• The Archer Trust
• The Kathleen Hannay Memorial Charity
• The Alchemy Foundation
• The Michael and Anna Wix Charitable Trust
• The Dischma Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: Merchant Taylors' Consolidated Charities for the Poor (214267), accessed via https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/214267

• Merchant Taylors' Company website: Philanthropy section, http://www.merchant-taylors.co.uk/philanthropy

• Merchant Taylors' Company website: Master & Wardens, https://www.merchant-taylors.co.uk/about/master-wardens

• Charity Commission Register: John Harrison's Charity (Merchant Taylors' Co) (214269), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/214269/full-print

• British History Online: Report on the Charities of the Merchant Taylors' Company, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/livery-companies-commission/vol4/pp363-394

• Charity Commission Register: The Merchant Taylors' Company Charities Fund (1069124), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3946977