Seafarers Uk (king George's Fund For Sailors)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £2.4m - £2.6m
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Up to 3 months
• Grant Range: £100 - £819,716 (wide range based on need and project scope)
• Geographic Focus: UK (Merchant Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Fishing Fleets, Royal Navy/Royal Marines), with international fishing safety initiatives

Contact Details

Website: www.theseafarerscharity.org

Email: contact@theseafarerscharity.org

Phone: 020 7932 0000

Pre-Application Support:

• Impact Team: impact@theseafarerscharity.org or 020 8248 5293
• International Fund for Fishing Safety Coordinator: alan.mcculla@theseafarerscharity.org
• First-time applicants and those new to maritime welfare are strongly encouraged to contact the Impact Team before applying

Overview

The Seafarers' Charity, founded in 1917 as King George's Fund for Sailors, is a grant-making charity with assets of approximately £29.6m and annual grant distribution exceeding £2m. The charity supports seafarers across the Merchant Navy (including Royal Fleet Auxiliary), Fishing Fleets, Royal Navy and Royal Marines, along with their families. In 2021, the charity rebranded from Seafarers UK and launched its “Thrive” strategy, an outcomes-focused approach aimed at addressing the root causes of hardship rather than just symptoms. Since 2018, they have strategically increased support for Merchant Navy and fishing communities where funding gaps are greatest, while reducing Royal Navy funding. The charity holds a Royal Charter and takes an increasingly “relational funder” approach, working in partnership with delivery organizations to support core costs, capacity-building, and long-term sustainability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Main Grant Programme: Supports the majority of grant awards for charities and not-for-profit organisations delivering safety initiatives and welfare services to seafarers and fishers. Grant amounts vary widely (£100 to £800,000+) depending on project scope and organizational needs. Applications accepted on a rolling basis with formal committee meetings in March, July and October.

Merchant Navy Fund: Focused specifically on funding welfare services for UK Merchant Navy seafarers (including Royal Fleet Auxiliary). Applicants must be registered charities and beneficiaries must hold UK passports. Eligibility can be proven through logbooks demonstrating service at sea.

International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS): A charitable fund launched in 2024, funded by Lloyd's Register Foundation and managed by The Seafarers' Charity. Accepts applications from anywhere in the world for projects improving international fishing safety and health. Has committed £220,000 to six projects across South Africa, Ghana, Fiji, Kenya, Thailand and Vietnam, directly supporting 65,000 fishers. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Priority Areas

The charity's grant-making is guided by five strategic outcomes from their Thrive strategy:

1. Enhanced Financial Resilience: Supporting seafarers and families with independent advice, information and financial help to build economic resilience and independence
2. Better Working Lives at Sea: Improving conditions and welfare support for active seafarers
3. Improved Health and Wellbeing: Mental health support, relationship counselling, addressing isolation
4. Raised Safety Standards and Practices: Safety initiatives particularly in fishing and merchant sectors
5. Increased Social Justice: Advocacy, support for victims of sexual violence and harassment at sea, addressing inequality

Funded Activities Include: Ship visiting, port chaplaincy, debt advice, hardship grants (through partner organizations), relationship counselling, safety initiatives, podcasts, retirement accommodation, advocacy, abandonment support, vocational training for seafaring careers.

Relational Funding Approach: The charity increasingly supports core costs, unrestricted funding, project/programme costs, capital costs (selective), and capacity-building through multi-year partnerships with delivery organizations.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals: The charity does not fund individuals, only charities or not-for-profit organisations (can signpost individual applicants to partner organizations)
• Royal Navy/Royal Marines Causes: Since 2018, reduced funding for RN/RM causes to focus on Merchant Navy and Fishing sectors where less funding is available
• Capital Projects in Seafarers' Centres/Accommodation: Moved away from funding building projects, focusing instead on safety and wellbeing of seafarers themselves (some exceptions due to donor preferences)
• Maritime Education for School-Age Children: Apart from exceptional circumstances, does not support maritime educational opportunities for children (does fund vocational training for careers at sea)

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Paul Butterworth

Chief Executive Officer: Deborah Layde (appointed July 2022, previously Director of Impact at the charity for almost ten years)

Recent Trustee Appointments: Simon Gillespie OBE and Guy Platten (recipient of the Merchant Navy Medal), described as “highly influential figures from across the charity and maritime sectors.”

Leadership Quotes

Deborah Layde, CEO: "I am proud that trustees have entrusted me to deliver on our 'Thrive' strategy, which aims to tackle the unique disadvantages of a seafaring life."

On core funding support: “We encourage all funders and donors who want to support seafarers to consider contributing to the essential core costs of maritime welfare charities.”

Guy Platten, Trustee: “As a former merchant seafarer, I have experienced firsthand the work of maritime charities and the difference that they make. It is vitally important that we continue to advocate for the welfare of seafarers.”

On New Trustees: Deborah Layde stated, “Our new trustees bring with them an outstanding record of service and leadership.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application System: Applications submitted through online portal at seafarerscharity.benefactorcloud.co.uk or theseafarerscharity.grantapps.net

Before Applying:

• Strongly recommended to download Application Guidance document
• First-time applicants should contact Impact Team at impact@theseafarerscharity.org or 020 8248 5293
• For IFFS grants, contact Alan McCulla at alan.mcculla@theseafarerscharity.org
• Applications can be saved and returned to - no need to complete in one sitting
• Once submitted, no further edits are possible

Application Deadlines: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. For applications requiring Trustee consideration, submit by mid-month before committee meetings (e.g., mid-September for October meeting).

Committee Meetings: Impact Committee meets formally in March, July and October

Funding Year: Budget runs January 1 to December 31

Decision Timeline

• Applications requiring Trustee consideration: normally advised of outcome within 3 months of submission
• Applicants receive notification directly from the charity

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed. In 2024, the charity awarded 64 grants totalling £2.6m to 48 organisations. Over the period 2017-2025, 587 grants totalling £26m have been awarded, indicating active and substantial grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact the Impact Team at impact@theseafarerscharity.org for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment is Critical

Applications must clearly demonstrate alignment with one or more of the five Thrive strategic outcomes. The charity has moved from symptom-based to root-cause funding, so emphasize how your work creates long-term sustainable improvements rather than temporary relief.

Relational Approach and Core Costs

The charity actively welcomes applications for core operational costs and unrestricted funding, not just project-specific work. They take a partnership approach with funded organizations, so highlight potential for ongoing collaboration and measurable co-created deliverables.

Target Beneficiaries

Since 2018, priority has shifted toward Merchant Navy (including Royal Fleet Auxiliary) and Fishing sectors where funding gaps are greatest. Applications supporting these communities are strongly aligned with current strategy. Royal Navy/Royal Marines causes receive reduced (but not eliminated) support.

Evidence and Impact

The charity uses Grant-Making Principles to assess applications. Download and review these principles carefully. Applications should demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes that align with strategic priorities, with emphasis on long-term impact and sustainability.

Practical Guidance from the Charity

• Read Grant-Making Principles document to improve success chances
• Download step-by-step Application Guidance
• Contact Impact Team for 1:1 support before applying - this is actively encouraged
• Ensure you have “green light” from Impact Team member before hitting submit button
• Less visible core running costs are valued as much as frontline work

Recently Funded Projects (Examples)

• Southampton Port Seafarers' Centre: Establishing shared centre for all ship visiting charities
• Equity Index: Tackling gender diversity in transport sector through data analysis
• Maritime Heritage Project: Skills development for maritime professionals in Forth region, improving wellbeing and reducing isolation
• Sailors' Society Crisis Response Team: 10-month support for abandoned crew
• Stella Maris: Unrestricted core funding for daily ship visits, friendship, advice and support
• Fishermen's Mission: Core costs for Emergency and Welfare Outreach Service
• Relate: Relationship counselling services for seafarers and families

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Prioritize Merchant Navy and Fishing sectors - These are the charity's strategic focus areas since 2018 due to funding gaps; applications supporting these communities are most strongly aligned with current priorities
• Core costs are welcomed - Unlike many funders, The Seafarers' Charity actively encourages applications for unrestricted core operational funding and multi-year partnerships, not just discrete projects
• Use pre-application support - Contact the Impact Team before applying; they offer 1:1 guidance and want to support applicants through the process. Get their “green light” before submitting
• Align with Thrive outcomes - Applications must clearly link to one or more of the five strategic outcomes (Financial Resilience, Better Working Lives, Health & Wellbeing, Safety Standards, Social Justice) and show root-cause solutions, not just symptom relief
• Demonstrate long-term impact - The charity seeks sustainable, measurable improvements and partnerships with co-created deliverables rather than short-term interventions
• Wide grant range - Don't be deterred by project size; grants range from £100 to £800,000+ depending on need and scope, with total annual giving of £2.4-2.6m
• Allow 3 months - Applications requiring Trustee approval typically take up to 3 months; plan accordingly and submit by mid-month before March, July or October meetings

References

1. The Seafarers' Charity Official Website - www.theseafarerscharity.org
2. “Charity strategy” - The Seafarers' Charity, https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/what-we-do/our-strategy
3. “Apply for funding” - The Seafarers' Charity, https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/grant-funding/apply-for-funding
4. “Grant funding programmes” - The Seafarers' Charity, https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/grant-funding/grant-funding-programmes
5. “Grants awarded” - The Seafarers' Charity, https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/grant-funding/grants-awarded
6. “Our history” - The Seafarers' Charity, https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/who-we-are/our-history
7. “About our charity” - The Seafarers' Charity, https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/who-we-are/about-our-charity
8. 360Giving GrantNav - The Seafarers' Charity data, https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-226446
9. "Deborah Layde to lead The Seafarers' Charity" - The Seafarers' Charity, https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/news/deborah-to-lead-the-seafarers-charity
10. "Distinguished names join The Seafarers' Charity as trustees" - Cobseo, https://www.cobseo.org.uk/distinguished-names-join-the-seafarers-charity-as-trustees/
11. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity 226446, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=226446
12. “International Fund for Fishing Safety” - The Seafarers' Charity, https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/international-fund-for-fishing-safety/home
13. “Maritime charities help ensure better working lives at sea” - Stella Maris, https://stellamaris.org.uk/maritime-charities-help-ensure-better-working-lives-at-sea-for-seafarers-and-fishers/
14. “Merchant Navy Fund” - The Seafarers' Charity, https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/merchant-navy-fund/grant-funding