The Alexander Fund

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 303765
• Annual Giving: £89,583 - £95,417 (recent years)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (4 times per year)
• Grant Range: £3 - £5 per person for camps; varies for other projects
• Geographic Focus: London Boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth only

Contact Details

Postal Address:

The Alexander Fund

c/o Winckworth Sherwood LLP

Arbor, 255 Blackfriars Road

London, SE1 9AX

Phone: 020 7593 5000

Application Contact:

Applications must be submitted to the scheme administrator (not individual trustees) via:

South London Scout Centre

Grange Lane, Dulwich

London, SE21 7LH

Email: office@southlondonscouts.org.uk

Phone: 0843 289 0712

Overview

The Alexander Fund is a registered charity (number 303765) established on 1st January 1964, originally known as “The Alexander Fund for Holiday Camps for Boy Scouts.” The fund operates exclusively within the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth, providing financial assistance to help members of the Scout Association attend camps, improve facilities at scout sites and halls, and support training initiatives.

With an annual expenditure of approximately £90,000-£95,000, the fund is supported by endowment and expendable funds established at its inception. The trust operates in perpetuity with income generated from these original funds. The charity is governed by seven trustees and administered by Winckworth Sherwood LLP solicitors. Its focused geographic scope and clear mission make it an important resource for Scout groups and individual members in South London seeking support for camps, training, and facility improvements.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Alexander Fund operates a single grant program with multiple funding categories, all assessed quarterly by trustees:

Camp Attendance Grants

• Up to £5 per person per night for camp attendance
• Available for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Network members, Leaders, and Helpers
• Maximum 3 applications per section and per Group per year for camps
• Applications accepted up to 3 months after the event (retrospective)

Transport Costs

• Up to 50% of receipted UK transport expenses
• Must be directly related to eligible Scout activities

Day Outings

• Up to £3 per person
• For day activities and excursions

Special Projects and Overseas Visits

• Considered on a case-by-case basis
• Requires advance application with District Commissioner support (6 months before event)

Training Support

• Funding available for Leader and volunteer training courses
• Amounts determined by trustees

Capital Projects

• Building repairs and maintenance at scout halls and camp sites
• Facility improvements for scout meeting spaces

Priority Areas

The fund prioritizes applications that:

• Enable young people and adults who might not otherwise be able to participate in Scout camps
• Improve facilities that benefit multiple Scout groups in Lambeth and Wandsworth
• Support volunteer training to enhance the quality of Scouting provision
• Advance the aims of the Scout Association within the designated boroughs

What They Don't Fund

• Activities outside the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth
• Organizations other than the Scout Association
• Grants that benefit Groups financially rather than reducing costs for individual participants
• Applications submitted more than 3 months after an event (for retrospective claims)
• More than 3 camp applications per section/Group per year

Ready to write a winning application for The Alexander Fund?

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

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (7 members)

Christopher John Evans - Chair

Peter Nicholas Hapgood - Trustee

Ian Malcolm Andrews - Trustee

Gary Raymond Cooper - Trustee

Rosemary Frances Merricks - Trustee

Gavin Crockett Ferguson - Trustee

Hannah Crampton - Trustee

No trustees receive remuneration or benefits from the charity. The fund is administered by Winckworth Sherwood LLP, a London law firm specializing in charity and trust administration, ensuring professional management of the endowment and expendable funds.

The trust operates under a governing document (Scheme) dated 20 January 1964, which has been amended multiple times to adapt to changing needs while maintaining the original mission of supporting Scouting activities in Lambeth and Wandsworth.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method:

All applications must be submitted in writing to the scheme administrator at South London Scout Centre (not to individual trustees). Contact details:

• Email: office@southlondonscouts.org.uk
• Phone: 0843 289 0712
• Post: South London Scout Centre, Grange Lane, Dulwich, London, SE21 7LH

Application Types:

• Must be submitted within 3 months after the event
• Include receipts for transport costs
• Detail how grant will reduce costs for individual participants

• Must be submitted at least 6 months before the event
• Require written support from District Commissioner
• Include detailed estimates and project plans

Key Requirements:

• Applications must clearly demonstrate how the grant will reduce costs for individual members, not benefit the Group financially
• All necessary documentation and receipts must be included
• Multiple applications from the same section/Group must not exceed 3 per year for camps

Decision Timeline

Quarterly Meeting Schedule:

Trustees meet 4 times per year to consider grant applications. Applications cannot be considered outside these scheduled meetings.

Processing Time:

• Applications are reviewed at the next scheduled quarterly meeting after submission
• Allow up to 3 months from submission to decision, depending on meeting schedule
• Grants are paid retrospectively after trustee approval

Notification:

Applicants are informed of decisions after each quarterly trustee meeting. The scheme administrator handles all communication.

Success Rates

The fund does not publicly disclose success rates or the number of applications received versus approved. However, the fund consistently distributes approximately £90,000-£95,000 annually in grants, demonstrating active grantmaking.

Important Note: The fund explicitly states “there is no guarantee that an application will be successful” and “the decision of the Trustees is final.” Applications are assessed on their individual merits against the fund's stated criteria.

Reapplication Policy

• Groups and sections may submit up to 3 applications per year for camp-related grants
• No specific restriction on reapplying after rejection, but the 3-application annual limit applies
• Different types of grants (camps, training, capital projects) are counted separately
• The fund accepts ongoing applications throughout the year, considered at quarterly intervals

Application Success Factors

Based on the fund's guidelines and structure, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Clear Geographic Eligibility

• Applicants must be from Scout Groups or sections operating within Lambeth or Wandsworth boroughs
• Individual Scout members must be registered with Groups in these boroughs

2. Individual Benefit Focus

• Applications must show how grants reduce costs for individual participants, not how they benefit the Group's finances
• Successful applications clearly articulate cost per person and how the grant enables participation

3. Timely Submission

• Retrospective applications submitted within the 3-month window
• Advance applications submitted at least 6 months before events with proper District Commissioner support

4. Complete Documentation

• All required receipts for transport costs
• Detailed estimates for capital projects
• Clear budgets showing how costs will be reduced for individuals

5. Alignment with Scout Association Aims

• Activities that clearly advance Scouting objectives
• Projects that benefit multiple Scout groups or the wider Scouting community in the area

6. Reasonable and Evidenced Requests

• Grant requests within the published guidelines (£5/person/night for camps, £3/person for outings, 50% transport)
• Evidence of costs through estimates or receipts

What Not to Do:

• Submit applications directly to trustees (must go through scheme administrator)
• Apply for activities outside Lambeth and Wandsworth
• Exceed the 3-application annual limit for camps
• Submit late retrospective applications (beyond 3 months)
• Request grants that benefit the Group rather than reducing individual costs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: The fund only supports Scout activities in Lambeth and Wandsworth - confirm your eligibility before applying
• Individual benefit is paramount: Frame applications around how the grant reduces costs for individual young people and adults, not how it helps the Group's finances
• Timing matters: Plan ahead for quarterly decision cycles - applications can take up to 3 months depending on meeting schedules
• Stay within limits: Maximum 3 camp applications per section/Group per year - prioritize your most impactful activities
• Documentation is essential: Keep all receipts for transport costs and ensure budgets clearly show per-person costs
• Use the correct channel: Applications must go to the scheme administrator at South London Scout Centre, not to individual trustees
• Advance planning for major projects: Special projects and overseas visits require 6 months advance notice and District Commissioner support - don't leave it to the last minute

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Sir Walter St. John's Educational Charity
• Walcot Educational Foundation
• Young Camden Foundation
• Newcomen Collett Educational Foundation
• ST ANDREW HOLBORN AND STAFFORD'S CHARITY
• THE HAMPSTEAD WELLS AND CAMPDEN TRUST
• The Peter Minet Trust
• JOHN LYON'S CHARITY
• THE CAMPDEN CHARITIES TRUSTEE
• The Lee Education Charity of William Hatcliffe

References

1. The Alexander Fund - South London Scouts official page

https://southlondonscouts.org.uk/welcome-our-members-area/governance/trust-funds/alexander-fund

Accessed: 3 February 2026

1. Charity Commission Register - The Alexander Fund (303765)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/303765

Accessed: 3 February 2026

1. Charity Commission - Full Details Print (303765)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/303765/full-print

Accessed: 3 February 2026

1. South London Scouts - Contact Information

https://southlondonscouts.org.uk/about-us/contact-us

Accessed: 3 February 2026

1. South London Scouts - Trust Funds Overview

https://southlondonscouts.org.uk/welcome-our-members-area/governance/trust-funds

Accessed: 3 February 2026