Sir William Boreman's Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £120,000-£140,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed 3 times per year (November, February, May)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000 (individuals up to £3,000; organizations up to £10,000)
• Geographic Focus: London Boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham only
• Charity Number: 312796

Contact Details

Address: The Clerk to the Governors, The Drapers' Company, Drapers' Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2DQ

Email: charities@thedrapers.co.uk

Phone: 020 7588 5001

Website: www.thedrapers.co.uk/sir-william-boremans-foundation

Overview

Sir William Boreman's Foundation was established in 1684 through the will of Sir William Boreman (c.1612-1686), Clerk of the Green Cloth in the court of King Charles II. Originally founded to maintain the Green Coat School in Greenwich for twenty poor boys (sons of watermen, seamen, and fishermen), the foundation has evolved over its 340-year history. The Drapers' Company acts as sole trustee, managing the foundation's endowment which generates annual income of approximately £153,000 (as of financial year ending July 2024), with grant expenditure of around £121,000.

Today, the foundation promotes the education of young people under the age of 25 living in Greenwich or Lewisham by awarding grants to both individuals and institutions, particularly those from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds. The foundation supports students throughout their educational journey, from primary school through to university and postgraduate studies, helping to cover essential costs that might otherwise prevent young people from pursuing their academic goals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Student Grants: £1,000 - £3,000

• For students in further or higher education
• Covers living expenses, rent, food, travel, educational equipment, books, and childcare
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
• Students can reapply for each year of their course if they continue to meet eligibility criteria

Grants for Children Under 16: Up to £3,000

• Covers uniforms, sports kit, and educational excursions
• Applications accepted in writing with project details

Organizational Grants: Up to £10,000

• One-off awards to registered charities and educational establishments
• Must demonstrate benefit to young people in Greenwich or Lewisham
• Focus on improving student inclusiveness
• Organizations typically cannot reapply for 3 years after receiving a grant
• Modest block grants also given to education services in each borough

Priority Areas

• Educational support for young people under 25 from low-income households (household income under £30,000 per annum)
• Students facing financial barriers to education at all levels (primary, secondary, further education, undergraduate, and postgraduate)
• Projects that improve educational access and inclusiveness in Greenwich and Lewisham
• Support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or with additional needs
• Educational equipment, materials, and resources
• Living costs that enable continued study
• Educational institutions serving the target demographic

What They Don't Fund

• Students who are not permanent residents of Greenwich or Lewisham (minimum 5 years residency required)
• Students aged 25 or over
• Applicants who are not UK nationals or do not have settled status under the Immigration Act 1971
• Households with gross annual income exceeding £30,000
• Retrospective funding (grants are for the current year of study only)
• Projects or individuals outside the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham

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Governance and Leadership

The Drapers' Company acts as the sole trustee of Sir William Boreman's Foundation. The foundation is governed by a Board of Governors that includes both members of the Drapers' Company and external representatives from the local community.

Board Composition:

• Chair: Past Master Nick Bence-Trower (former Master of the Drapers' Company 2014/15)
• Assistant Jane Mather (Drapers' Company)
• Liveryman Michael Hughes (Drapers' Company)
• Six governors from outside the Company, including:
• One representative from the University of Greenwich
• Two representatives from Greenwich Borough
• Two representatives from Lewisham Borough
• The Vicar at St Alfege's Church, Greenwich

This governance structure ensures local knowledge and accountability while maintaining the Drapers' Company's centuries-old commitment to educational philanthropy in Greenwich and Lewisham.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individual Applicants (Aged 16 and Over):

1. Complete the official application form available on the foundation's website
2. Read the "Sir William Boreman Grant Eligibility & Guidelines for Individuals 16+" before completing your application
3. Submit completed application by email to charities@thedrapers.co.uk
4. Applications must be received at least 3 weeks before the meeting dates

For Organizations and Children Under 16:

Apply in writing to charities@thedrapers.co.uk providing:

• Details of your organization's activities
• Description of the project requiring funding
• Explanation of how the project will benefit young people in Greenwich or Lewisham
• Operational/project budget
• Details of other funding received or being sought
• Copy of most recent annual report and accounts

Decision Timeline

Meeting Schedule: Applications are reviewed three times per year at meetings in November, February, and May.

Typical Meeting Dates (example from 2025-2026 cycle):

• October meeting (deadline: 30 September)
• February meeting (deadline: 13 January)
• June meeting (deadline: 12 May)

Timeline: Applicants should submit at least 3 weeks before the meeting date. Decision notifications are sent following each meeting, though specific notification timelines are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The foundation distributes approximately £120,000-£140,000 annually across individual and organizational grants.

Reapplication Policy

For Individual Students: Students studying for two or three years can reapply for each year of their course, providing they continue to meet the eligibility criteria. The foundation notes that “sometimes the same student is supported more than once.”

For Organizations: Grants to organizations are usually one-off awards, with organizations typically unable to reapply for 3 years after receiving a grant.

Application Success Factors

Key Eligibility Requirements

The foundation has strict eligibility criteria that must be met:

• Residency: Permanent residence in Greenwich or Lewisham for at least 5 years
• Age: Under 25 years old
• Immigration Status: UK national or settled status under the Immigration Act 1971
• Household Income: Gross annual household income of £30,000 or less

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Clear Financial Need: The foundation specifically targets young people from low-income households who face financial barriers to education. Applications should clearly demonstrate how the grant will remove obstacles to continued study.

Current Year Focus: The foundation emphasizes that funding is for the current year of study, not retrospective. Ensure your application focuses on immediate and upcoming needs.

Comprehensive Budget Information: For organizations, providing detailed operational/project budgets and information about other funding sources demonstrates good planning and stewardship.

Local Impact: Organizations should clearly articulate how their project will specifically benefit young people in Greenwich or Lewisham and improve student inclusiveness.

Practical Support Needs: The foundation understands that educational success depends on meeting basic needs. Applications covering rent, food, travel, and childcare alongside educational materials are all considered valid.

Historical Context Matters

The foundation has been supporting young people in Greenwich and Lewisham for over 340 years, evolving from running a single school to providing flexible financial support. This long-standing commitment to educational equity in these specific boroughs suggests applications that demonstrate understanding of local challenges and opportunities may resonate well.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic Specificity is Absolute: Only residents of Greenwich or Lewisham for at least 5 years are eligible - this is non-negotiable
• Income Threshold is Firm: The £30,000 household income ceiling is a hard requirement; ensure applicants can demonstrate eligibility
• Plan Around Three Annual Deadlines: With only three decision meetings per year, timing is critical - submit at least 3 weeks before meeting dates
• Multi-Year Support is Possible: Individual students can reapply annually throughout their studies if they continue meeting criteria
• Organizations Face Longer Gaps: Organizational grants are typically one-off with a 3-year reapplication exclusion, so ensure the grant request is comprehensive
• Practical Costs are Welcome: Don't hesitate to include living expenses like rent, food, and travel - the foundation recognizes these as essential to educational success
• Keep Applications Current: Focus on current and upcoming academic year needs; retrospective funding is not available

References

1. The Drapers' Company - Sir William Boreman's Foundation page: https://thedrapers.co.uk/sir-william-boremans-foundation/

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - Sir William Boreman's Foundation (Charity 312796): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=312796

1. University of Greenwich - Sir William Boreman's Foundation Bursaries: https://www.gre.ac.uk/bursaries/sir-william-boremans-foundation

1. Goldsmiths, University of London - Sir William Boreman's Foundation Grants: https://www.gold.ac.uk/fees-funding/scholarships/sir-william-boremans-foundation-grants/

1. British History Online - Report on the Charities of the Drapers' Company: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/livery-companies-commission/vol4/pp120-146

1. Friends of Greenwich Park History - Sir William Boreman: https://friendsofgreenwichparkhistory.greenhousecms.co.uk/Sir-William-Boreman/

1. Charity Choice - Sir William Boreman's Foundation Directory Entry: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/sir-william-boremans-foundation-130322

1. Turn2us Grants Search - Sir William Boreman's Foundation: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/sir-william-boremans-foundation-13539