The Aldgate And Allhallows Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £250,000 (approximately)
• Total Assets: £9 million (approximately)
• Decision Time: May and September meetings (twice yearly)
• Grant Range: £3,000 - £60,000 (organisational grants in 2024 averaging £12,000)
• Geographic Focus: City of London and London Borough of Tower Hamlets exclusively
• Individual Grants: 31 students funded in 2024 (£39,000 total)
• Organisational Grants: 16 organisations funded in 2024 (£192,265 total)

Contact Details

Website: www.aldgateallhallows.org.uk

Email: aldgateandallhallows@portaltrust.org

Phone: 020 7488 2489

Address: 31 Jewry Street, London (shared offices with The Portal Trust)

Overview

The Aldgate and Allhallows Foundation is a historic independent educational charity established in 1895 with approximately £9 million in assets. The Foundation distributes around £250,000 annually to support young people under 30 in the City of London and London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The Foundation operates with a dual focus: providing individual bursaries (primarily through Queen Mary University, London) and funding educational projects delivered by schools and organisations. The Foundation is administered by The Portal Trust under a service level agreement, with governance provided by a board of thirteen Governors including ex-officio appointees from St Botolph, Aldgate and Allhallows by the Tower. The Foundation achieved accreditation as a Living Wage Funder, ensuring all funded positions align with the Real Living Wage. In 2024, the Foundation supported approximately 4,000 beneficiaries through grants to 16 organisations and 31 individuals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Grants for Schools and Organisations

• Grant Range: £3,000 - £60,000 (2024 grants ranged from £10,000 to £24,498)
• Duration: Typically 1-3 years (many are single-year awards)
• Application Method: Rolling applications accepted year-round; decisions made at May and September Governor meetings
• Total Available: Approximately £190,000-£200,000 annually for organisational grants

Grants for Individuals

• Average Grant: Approximately £1,250 per student
• Application Method: Online applications only; open annually in August, close in November (early closure possible)
• Total Available: Approximately £40,000 annually for individual bursaries
• Primary Distribution: Majority goes to undergraduate bursaries at Queen Mary University, London

Priority Areas

The Foundation prioritises clearly defined, time-limited educational projects that serve young people under 30 from disadvantaged backgrounds or areas of high deprivation in Tower Hamlets and the City of London. Specific priorities include:

• Curriculum Enhancement: Projects that enrich in-school learning beyond statutory requirements
• Literacy and Numeracy: Programmes improving fundamental educational skills
• STEM and Arts: Science, mathematics, and creative arts promotion
• Innovation: Novel pilot programmes addressing root causes of educational inequality with potential for wider policy impact
• Matched Funding: Projects that have secured additional funding from other sources (given preference)
• Cultural and Educational Access: Partnerships with museums, theatres, orchestras, and cultural institutions

The Foundation has demonstrated particular interest in:

• Decolonising curriculum initiatives
• Music education programmes
• Migration and cultural heritage education
• Library development and literacy projects
• Intergenerational learning projects
• Apprenticeship pathways

What They Don't Fund

Organisational Grants - Explicit Exclusions:

• Equipment purchases or teacher salaries (statutory responsibilities of schools)
• Youth groups, supplementary schools, or mother tongue instruction
• Building purchases, repairs, or furnishings
• Conferences, seminars, or production costs
• Retrospective activities (work already completed)
• Funding to replace withdrawn statutory support
• General fundraising campaigns

Individual Grants - Explicit Exclusions:

• Private college courses
• Independent school fees
• Courses under one year in duration
• Repeat years of study
• Qualifications at the same or lower level than existing credentials
• Most Higher Education tuition fees (except second degrees where student loans unavailable)
• Applicants with time-limited immigration status (must have Indefinite Leave to Remain or full Refugee status)

Ready to write a winning application for The Aldgate And Allhallows Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Chair: Mrs Denise Jones (appointed May 2019)

Denise Jones is co-founder and Director of the Rich Mix Cultural Centre and serves as a Board Member of Young V&A, Trinity Buoy Wharf, Create London, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, and as Director of Mulberry Academy Trust, bringing extensive cultural and educational expertise to the Foundation.

Chief Executive: Richard Foley (Clerk to the Governors, serving since 2008)

Richard Foley oversees the Foundation's day-to-day operations and strategic direction.

Board Composition: 13 Governors total

• 2 ex-officio Governors: Rector of St Botolph, Aldgate (Reverend Laura Jørgensen) and Vicar of Allhallows by the Tower
• 2 Governors appointed by nominating bodies (The Brewers' Company nominates two positions)
• 9 co-opted Governors

Notable Trustees:

• Robin Hazlewood (long-standing trustee)
• Councillor Sirajul Islam (Leader of the Labour Group, Governor at John Scurr Primary School)
• Anwar Akhtar (founder and director of The Samosa Media)

Governance Overlap: D Jones, J Hall, and L Jørgensen also serve as Governors of The Portal Trust, enabling shared expertise while maintaining independent governance.

Administrative Partnership: The Portal Trust provides day-to-day administration under a Service Level Agreement (fee: £46,098 in 2024).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply - Organisational Grants

Applications for schools and organisations can be submitted throughout the year with no formal deadline. However, applicants must submit well in advance of their project start date to allow for the assessment process.

Process Steps:

1. Initial Submission: Apply via the Foundation's website or contact the Grants Manager
2. Screening: Applications undergo initial assessment for eligibility
3. Meeting: Shortlisted applicants meet with the Grants Manager to discuss their project
4. Formal Assessment: Detailed evaluation before presentation to Governors
5. Board Decision: Governors review applications at their May and September meetings

Timeline Considerations:

• Applications should be submitted at least 2-3 months before the desired project start date
• Board meetings occur in May and September only
• Assessment process occurs between submission and the next board meeting

How to Apply - Individual Grants

Application Period:

• Opens annually in August (typically on A Level Results Day)
• Closes in November (specific date varies - in 2025, early closure on September 27 was announced)
• All applications must be submitted online via the Foundation's website

Process Steps:

1. Online Application: Complete online form with personal, educational, and financial details
2. Document Submission: Supporting documents due by December 31
3. Bursaries Panel Review: Applications reviewed by specialist panel
4. Shortlisting: Selected candidates may be asked for additional information
5. Final Decisions: Announced in early February

Eligibility Requirements:

• Under 30 years of age on course start date
• Resident in Tower Hamlets or City of London for minimum three years
• From low-income backgrounds demonstrating financial need
• Enrolled full-time in vocational, further, higher, or postgraduate education (minimum one year)
• Pursuing a recognised qualification
• Refugee applicants must have Indefinite Leave to Remain or full Refugee status

Decision Timeline

Organisational Grants: Decisions made at Governor meetings in May and September. Total time from submission to decision varies depending on when application is received relative to meeting dates (potentially 2-6 months).

Individual Grants: Applications submitted August-November; final decisions announced early February (approximately 3 months from close of applications).

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. In 2024:

• 31 individual grants awarded (total applicant numbers not published)
• 16 organisational grants awarded (total applications received not published)
• Total beneficiaries supported: approximately 4,000

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publish specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants. However:

• Organisational grants are often awarded for 1-3 years, with continuation dependent on satisfactory progress
• Individual grants are typically awarded for one academic year, with continuation conditional on satisfactory attendance and exam completion
• No stated prohibition on reapplication for previously unsuccessful applicants

Application Success Factors

Geographic Restriction is Absolute

The Foundation can only fund projects benefiting permanent residents of Tower Hamlets or the City of London. This is a fundamental eligibility criterion, not a preference. Applications serving young people from other London boroughs or elsewhere in the UK will be declined regardless of merit.

Demonstrated Need and Disadvantage

Priority is given to projects serving young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or areas of high deprivation. Applications should clearly articulate the socio-economic challenges facing their target beneficiaries and how the project addresses educational inequality.

Clear Educational Rationale

The Foundation funds educational costs “not the statutory responsibility of either central or local Government.” Successful applications demonstrate how their project enhances educational provision beyond what schools are legally required to deliver. Projects filling gaps left by statutory provision are particularly attractive.

Innovation and Pilot Potential

The Foundation expresses particular interest in “novel projects addressing root causes of educational inequality with potential for wider policy impact.” Projects testing new approaches or developing scalable models are valued over routine activities.

Matched Funding Demonstrates Viability

Applications that have secured funding from other sources receive preference, as this demonstrates both the project's credibility and efficient use of the Foundation's resources.

Time-Limited and Clearly Defined Projects

The Foundation states it “will only consider funding requests for clearly defined and time-limited education projects, usually approved for no longer than a 3 year period.” Vague or open-ended proposals are unlikely to succeed. Applications should specify concrete deliverables, timelines, and how success will be measured.

Evidence of Impact on Root Causes

The Foundation prioritises projects “addressing root causes of educational inequality” rather than surface-level interventions. Applications should demonstrate understanding of systemic barriers and how the project creates lasting change.

Examples of Funded Projects as Models:

Recent successful grants illustrate the Foundation's priorities:

• London Symphony Orchestra's On Track programme (multi-year funding since 2018): Provides workshops, coaching, live performances, and training opportunities for Tower Hamlets students - demonstrates partnership model, cultural access, and sustained engagement

• Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service (£28,840 over two years): Created artefact boxes to support decolonising the curriculum - demonstrates innovation, curriculum enhancement, and serving multiple schools

• Migration Museum (£20,000): Project helping young people learn about Britain's migration story - demonstrates cultural education and relevance to Tower Hamlets' diverse population

• Hermitage Primary School (£60,000): Building a permanent library - demonstrates infrastructure that enhances learning beyond statutory provision

• National Literacy Trust: Supporting library creation at Sir William Burrough - demonstrates focus on literacy and partnership with established organisations

Application Quality Matters

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation requires applications to be submitted “in good time before meeting dates to enable the Foundation to complete its assessment process,” suggesting thorough evaluation. Well-researched, professionally presented applications with clear budgets, evidence of need, and realistic outcomes are essential.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable: Your beneficiaries must be permanent residents of Tower Hamlets or the City of London. No exceptions are made for even the most compelling projects outside these boundaries.

• Frame your project as “non-statutory enhancement”: Clearly articulate how your project goes beyond what schools or government are legally required to provide. The Foundation exists to fill gaps, not replace public funding.

• Time-limited, clearly defined projects succeed: Specify exact deliverables, timelines (typically 1-3 years), and measurable outcomes. Avoid open-ended or vague proposals.

• Demonstrate innovation and scalability: Projects testing new approaches to educational inequality or with potential for wider policy impact are prioritised. Show how your work could influence broader practice.

• Leverage the twice-yearly decision cycle: Applications are decided in May and September only. Submit at least 2-3 months before your desired project start date, accounting for which meeting your application will reach.

• Match funding strengthens applications: Securing additional funding from other sources demonstrates your project's credibility and is given preference in assessment.

• Target disadvantaged young people under 30: Priority goes to those from disadvantaged backgrounds or areas of high deprivation. Applications should clearly evidence socio-economic need and how the project addresses educational inequality at its root causes.

References

• Aldgate & Allhallows Foundation Official Website -
• Grants for Schools & Organisations -
• Grants for Individuals -
• About Us - Aldgate & Allhallows Foundation -
• Governance - Aldgate & Allhallows Foundation -
• Staff - Aldgate & Allhallows Foundation -
• Case Study: London Symphony Orchestra -
• 2024 News and Updates -
• Charity Commission Register - Charity 312500 -
• Annual Reports -