The Andover Charities
Charity Number: 206587
Stay updated on changes from The Andover Charities and other funders
Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £145,312 (2023)
- Annual Income: £88,176 (2023)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: Small grants (specific amounts not disclosed)
- Geographic Focus: Ancient parish of Andover, Hampshire (including Enham and Smannell)
Contact Details
Email: andovercharitiestrustees@gmail.com
Phone: 07398 155704
Address: Citizens Advice Bureau, Chantry House, Chantry Way, SP10 1LZ
Overview
The Andover Charities (registered charity number 206587) was founded from a charter in 1614, making it one of the oldest charitable organizations in Hampshire. The charity operates with 6 trustees and no paid staff, maintaining a small but focused operation dedicated to serving the local community. With an annual expenditure of approximately £145,312 (2023), the charity works primarily to prevent or relieve poverty through two main activities: operating almshouses for persons in need and providing small grants to needy individuals. The charity serves residents of the ancient parish of Andover, which comprises the hamlets of Charlton, Hatherden, King's Enham, Little London, Smannell, Wildhern, and Woodhouse, covering approximately 7,670 acres. Their grant-making focuses particularly on children, young people, and elderly people requiring assistance with poverty relief and accommodation/housing needs.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
Small Grants Programme: Amount not publicly disclosed
- Grants are made to individuals in need living within the ancient parish of Andover
- Focus on poverty relief and accommodation/housing assistance
- Application Method: Referral-only basis (no direct applications accepted)
Almshouse Accommodation
- Properties allocated to persons in need within the ancient parishes of Andover, Enham, and Smannell
- Allocation process managed by trustees
Priority Areas
- Prevention or relief of poverty
- Accommodation and housing assistance
- Support for children and young people in need
- Support for elderly people in need
- Residents of the ancient parish of Andover (including Charlton, Hatherden, King's Enham, Little London, Smannell, Wildhern, and Woodhouse)
What They Don't Fund
- Organizations (they only make grants to individuals)
- Applicants outside the ancient parish of Andover geographic boundary
- Direct applications from individuals (must be referred by approved third parties)

Ready to write a winning application for The Andover Charities?
Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.
Governance and Leadership
Trustees
The charity is governed by a board of 6 trustees who serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration. Known trustees include:
- Mr Barlow
- Mr J Budzynski
- Mr M Lloyd
- Councillor Nick Lodge
All trustees receive no payments or benefits from the charity, ensuring the organization operates on a purely voluntary basis with minimal administrative overhead.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This charity does not accept direct applications from individuals. Instead, grants are made through a referral-only system.
To access grant funding, individuals must be referred by an approved third-party organization, including:
- Citizens Advice
- Local schools
- Test Valley Borough Council
- Social Services
- Two Saints (homeless support organization)
- Other appropriate third-party referral agencies
The referral process ensures that grants reach those genuinely in need while providing professional assessment of eligibility and requirements. Individuals seeking assistance should contact one of the approved referral organizations listed above, who will assess their situation and make a referral to The Andover Charities if appropriate.
Decision Timeline
Decision timelines are not publicly available and likely vary depending on individual circumstances and trustee meeting schedules.
Success Rates
Success rates are not publicly available. As a referral-only charity, applications that reach the trustees have already been vetted by professional referral agencies, which may result in higher approval rates than open application processes.
Reapplication Policy
Reapplication policies are not publicly disclosed. Individuals requiring further assistance should work with their referring organization to discuss ongoing or additional support needs.
Application Success Factors
Since The Andover Charities operates on a referral-only basis, the key to accessing funding is:
Working with the Right Referral Partner: Individuals in need should approach one of the approved referral organizations (Citizens Advice, local schools, Test Valley Borough Council, Social Services, or Two Saints) who understand the charity's criteria and can make appropriate referrals.
Geographic Eligibility: Applicants must live within the ancient parish of Andover, which includes the specific hamlets of Charlton, Hatherden, King's Enham, Little London, Smannell, Wildhern, and Woodhouse. This is a strict requirement.
Demonstrable Need: The charity focuses on poverty relief and housing assistance, so individuals must be able to demonstrate genuine financial hardship or accommodation needs.
Target Demographics: While the charity serves people of all ages, they have particular focus on children/young people and elderly people, so referrals for these groups may be prioritized.
Professional Assessment: Referral organizations will assess the individual's circumstances and needs before making a referral, so being open and honest with the referring agency about the situation is essential.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- This is not a grant-making charity for organizations - The Andover Charities makes grants exclusively to individuals in need, so organizational grant writers cannot apply
- Strict geographic boundaries - Only individuals living in the ancient parish of Andover (including specific hamlets of Charlton, Hatherden, King's Enham, Little London, Smannell, Wildhern, and Woodhouse) are eligible
- Referral-only access - There is no direct application process; individuals must be referred by approved third-party organizations including Citizens Advice, schools, Test Valley Borough Council, Social Services, or Two Saints
- Focus on poverty and housing - The charity's core mission is preventing or relieving poverty and providing accommodation/housing assistance
- Small, targeted grants - This is a modest operation focused on making a direct impact on individuals rather than funding large projects
- Historic local charity - Founded in 1614, the charity has deep roots in the Andover community and maintains a traditional approach to charitable giving
- Volunteer-run - With 6 unpaid trustees and no staff, this is a lean operation focused on maximizing funds directed to beneficiaries
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
References
- Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Andover Charities (206587). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/206587
- Unity Online Community Directory: The Andover Charities Trustees. https://unityonline.org.uk/community-directory/the-andover-charities-trustees/
- Test Valley Borough Council: Andover Charities Trustees Committee. https://democracy.testvalley.gov.uk/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=193
- FamilySearch: Andover, Hampshire, England Genealogy (for information on ancient parish boundaries). https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Andover,_Hampshire,_England_Genealogy
- Financial information from Charity Commission accounts for year ending 31 December 2023