Minge's Gift

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £172,751 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Address: Saddlers' House, Gutter Lane, London, EC2V 6BR

Phone: 020 7929 1121

Email: charity@cordwainers.org

Website: www.cordwainers.org

Overview

MINGE'S GIFT (Charity Number 266073) is a historic grant-making charity founded in 1622 from the bequest of Richard Minge, a London cordwainer who left considerable property on the south bank of the Thames to the Cordwainers Company. Registered with the Charity Commission on 8 October 1973, the charity currently holds total assets generating annual income of approximately £208,661 (2024). Operating throughout England and Wales, the charity makes grants to other charities and voluntary bodies for general charitable purposes as directed by the Master and Wardens of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers. The income is generally allocated for the support of educational and medical establishments with which the Company has developed long-term relationships, ex-Service organizations, and charities related to the footwear industry. The charity is commemorated annually at St Dunstan in the West church alongside another historic benefactor, John Fisher.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

MINGE'S GIFT does not operate formal grant programs. All grants are made at the discretion of the Master and Wardens of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers based on the wishes of the original benefactor and the Company's strategic charitable priorities.

Priority Areas

Based on the Cordwainers Company's stated philanthropic focus, grants from MINGE'S GIFT support:

• Footwear Industry Education: Supporting students and institutions involved in footwear design, manufacturing, and related trades
• Medical Charities: Particularly those with established relationships with the Cordwainers Company, such as the Royal Free Hospital
• Military Charities: Supporting ex-Service organizations and military-related causes, including 'C' (City of London) Company of the Army Reserve of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
• Social Housing Projects: Almshouses and related charitable housing initiatives
• Charitable Organizations with Historic Connections: Charities that align with the Company's heritage and benefactor wishes

The Cordwainers Company's approach is to “fund a number of charities according to the wishes of their original benefactors, those related to their trade and those with which they have historic connections.”

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited applications from organizations without existing relationships with the Cordwainers Company
• Organizations outside England and Wales

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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership (2025-2026):

• Master: Andrew Peal
• Senior Warden: Sir Stephen Powis
• Second Warden: Christopher Taylor
• Steward Warden: Lara-Kate Jones
• Renter Warden: Sarah Day

Trustees (as registered with Charity Commission):

• Christopher John Taylor
• Sir Stephen Huw Powis (NHS consultant nephrologist and former National Medical Director of NHS England, knighted in 2022 for services to the NHS)
• Andrew Bertram Newcomb Peal

The charity is governed by a Court of three trustees, with no employees. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Master and Wardens are elected annually during the summer Oath Day ceremony, representing continuity and renewal in the Company's 750-year history.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

MINGE'S GIFT does not accept unsolicited funding applications.

As stated on the Cordwainers Company website: “From time to time, the Company researches and selects new charities to support. Do not accept unsolicited funding applications.”

All grants are made at the discretion of the Master and Wardens of the Cordwainers Company, based on:

1. The wishes of the original benefactor (Richard Minge's 1622 bequest)
2. Charitable purposes related to the cordwainers' trade
3. Organizations with which the Company has developed long-term relationships

Getting on Their Radar

While MINGE'S GIFT does not accept unsolicited applications, the Cordwainers Company does periodically research and select new charities to support. Organizations seeking to develop relationships with the Company should note that the Cordwainers prioritize charities that:

• Have established connections to the footwear and leather goods industry
• Align with the Company's focus areas (education, medical, military, social housing)
• Demonstrate a track record of effective charitable work
• Have potential for developing long-term partnerships

Key Contact: For inquiries about the Company's charitable work:

• Charity Manager
• Email: charity@cordwainers.org
• Phone: 020 7929 1121

It should be noted that contact does not guarantee funding consideration, as grants are made exclusively at trustee discretion.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made on a discretionary basis by the trustees rather than through a formal application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since MINGE'S GIFT operates through trustee discretion rather than open applications, success in receiving grants is based entirely on alignment with the Company's strategic priorities and the development of relationships over time.

Key Alignment Factors:

1. Connection to the Footwear Trade: Organizations with clear links to footwear, leather goods, fashion education, or the shoemaking industry are prioritized

1. Long-term Relationship Building: The Cordwainers Company states they support “educational and medical establishments with which the Company has developed long-term relationships”

1. Alignment with Historic Mission: As a 400-year-old bequest, grants must serve “such charitable purposes only as the Master and Wardens of the Cordwainers Company shall from time to time direct”

1. Established Track Record: The Company “researches and selects” charities, suggesting they prioritize organizations with demonstrated effectiveness

1. Geographic Focus: Organizations must operate within England and Wales

1. Sector Alignment: Priority given to education, medical, military, and social housing sectors

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: MINGE'S GIFT does not accept unsolicited applications - all grants are made at the discretion of the Cordwainers Company trustees
• Relationship-Driven: Funding goes to organizations with established, long-term relationships with the Cordwainers Company
• Industry Connection Matters: Strong preference for charities connected to the footwear industry, leather goods, and fashion education
• Historic Legacy: Operating since 1622, the charity follows the wishes of its benefactor while adapting to modern charitable needs
• Part of a Wider Network: MINGE'S GIFT is one of several Cordwainers charitable trusts, collectively contributing to the livery companies' £80 million annual charitable giving
• Strategic Selection: The Company periodically researches and selects new charities - being visible in relevant sectors may eventually lead to consideration
• Contact Through Proper Channels: Any inquiries should be directed to the Charity Manager via charity@cordwainers.org

References

1. Charity Commission - MINGE'S GIFT Full Print Page. Register of Charities. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/266073/full-print (Accessed 28 December 2025)

1. Worshipful Company of Cordwainers - Philanthropy Homepage. https://cordwainers.org/philanthropy/ (Accessed 28 December 2025)

1. Worshipful Company of Cordwainers - Master & Wardens. https://cordwainers.org/about-us/masters-and-wardens/ (Accessed 28 December 2025)

1. Worshipful Company of Cordwainers - Timeline. https://cordwainers.org/timeline/ (Accessed 28 December 2025)

1. Charity Commission - MINGE'S GIFT What, Who, How, Where. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/266073/what-who-how-where (Accessed 28 December 2025)

1. Giving is Great - THE CORDWAINERS' COMPANY COMMON INVESTMENT FUND Charity Factsheet. https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=261891 (Accessed 28 December 2025)