The Armourers And Brasiers' Gauntlet Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £397,566 (2023-24)
• Grant Range: £600 - £24,000 (£8,000 per year over 3 years for small charities)
• Decision Time: Approximately 5 months (June deadline to December award)
• Geographic Focus: UK national and London (within M25)
• Application Method: Rolling basis for most programmes; fixed deadline for small charities

Contact Details

Website: www.armourershall.co.uk/funding-grants

Email: clerk@armourershall.co.uk (general) / charities@armourershall.co.uk (small charity programme)

Phone: 020 7374 4000

Address: Armourers' Hall, Coleman Street, London

Overview

The Armourers and Brasiers' Gauntlet Trust (Charity No. 279204) was established in 1979 as the charitable arm of the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers, one of London's historic livery companies dating back to 1322. With annual expenditure of approximately £397,566, the Trust operates an independent grant-making portfolio focused on three distinct areas: supporting small charities across diverse causes, enriching science education in schools, and advancing materials science research at university level. The Trust's approach reflects both the historic metallurgical roots of the parent company and a contemporary commitment to education, community welfare, and scientific advancement. The Trust has 6 trustees and operates with no paid staff, relying on 2 volunteers to administer its programmes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Small Charities Programme

• Amount: Up to £8,000 per annum for three years (total potential: £24,000)
• Purpose: Project-specific or core costs
• Application: Annual application cycle with fixed deadline (30 June 2025)
• Note: Subject to satisfactory annual reporting

Science Education in Schools

• Primary Schools: £600 grants
• Secondary Schools: £1,000 grants
• Purpose: Purchase science equipment, run enrichment projects, enable participation in science events/competitions
• Application: Rolling basis via online form; schools cannot receive grants in consecutive financial years

Materials Science - PhD/EngD Conference Travel Grants

• Amount: Up to £900 (varies by conference location)
• Eligibility: PhD/EngD students at UK universities presenting research at conferences
• Priority: Oral presentations favoured over poster presentations
• Application: Rolling basis via online form

Materials Science - Undergraduate Industrial Placement Grants

• Purpose: Support costs of industrial placements for undergraduate Materials Science students
• Application: Rolling basis via online form

Priority Areas

Small Charities Programme covers:

• Community or Armed Forces causes
• Children, Youth or General Education
• Health or Medical purposes
• Arts, Arms or Armour

Emerging interests (trustees have particular focus on):

• Projects supporting military veterans in the prison system or post-release
• Projects supporting children at risk of exclusion from mainstream education

Materials Science support focuses on:

• Conference attendance for doctoral researchers
• Industrial placement experiences for undergraduates
• Encouraging careers in materials science and metallurgy

What They Don't Fund

• Building maintenance or capital projects
• Individual sponsorships
• Projects outside the UK
• Funding for legal disputes
• Charities with annual income over £500,000 (small charities programme)
• Schools that received funding in the previous financial year (science education programme)

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Governance and Leadership

The Gauntlet Trust is managed by 6 trustees: the current Master and two Wardens of the Armourers and Brasiers' Company, plus 3 past Masters. The governance structure ensures continuity while rotating leadership from the parent livery company.

Current Leadership (Armourers and Brasiers' Company):

• Master: Geoffrey Andrews
• Upper Warden: Charles Honnywill
• Renter Warden: John Chatfeild-Roberts
• Clerk/CEO: Colonel Jeremy Pughe-Morgan

The wider Armourers and Brasiers' Company is governed by a Court of 21 senior Liverymen who meet 8 times per year. No trustees receive remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Small Charities Programme:

• Online application form only (accessed via website)
• Initial eligibility questions must be passed before accessing full form
• Must upload most recent financial statements
• Application deadline: 30 June 2025

Science Education in Schools:

• Separate online forms for primary and secondary schools
• Rolling applications throughout financial year (ending 31 March)
• Funds allocated on first-come, first-served basis while available

Materials Science Programmes:

• Online Zoho forms embedded on website
• Rolling applications throughout financial year (ending 31 March)

Decision Timeline

Small Charities Programme follows a structured timeline:

1. Application closes: 30 June
2. Initial staff screening
3. Trustee review
4. Potential site visits to shortlisted applicants
5. Shortlisted applicants invited to meet trustees at Armourers' Hall: November
6. Grants awarded and paid: December

Total timeline: Approximately 5 months from application to award

Other Programmes: Rolling decisions based on fund availability; no specific timeline published

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trust notes that “a small number of grants are available each year” for the small charities programme, suggesting competitive selection.

Reapplication Policy

Science Education in Schools: Schools that receive a grant cannot apply in the consecutive financial year but may reapply thereafter.

Small Charities Programme: No specific reapplication restrictions mentioned for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrating Impact Over Time

The Trust awards small charity grants over three years, so applications must “indicate clearly how such a series of small grants will be of significant benefit.” Focus on sustained impact rather than one-off outputs.

Alignment with Emerging Interests

Trustees have signalled particular interest in two areas:

• Military veterans in prison or post-release
• Children at risk of educational exclusion

Projects in these areas may receive enhanced consideration.

Current Grant Recipients as Examples

The Trust's current small charity partners demonstrate the diversity of funded work:

• Changing Tunes: Music and mentoring in prisons for crime-free, creative lives
• The Compassionate Friends: Bereavement support for families affected by suicide
• The Rodolfus Foundation: Choral education for 8-21 year olds in Hackney schools
• Scarabeus Aerial Theatre: Physics education through aerial techniques for KS2 children
• The Spitz: Music in care homes to reduce isolation
• The Stuart Low Trust: Mental health community support in Islington
• Teddy's Wish: Bereavement counselling and infant mortality research
• Yes Outdoors: Targeted tutoring and homework clubs in Camden

Willingness to Engage

Applications should demonstrate openness to engagement with the Armourers & Brasiers' Company members. The Trust values relationships beyond mere funding.

Financial Documentation

Applications are only considered if most recent financial statements are uploaded. Ensure these are complete, accurate, and clearly show income below £500,000.

Meeting the Trustees

Shortlisted small charity applicants will be invited to Armourers' Hall to meet trustees in person. This face-to-face assessment is a critical stage where organisational leaders can demonstrate passion, competence, and strategic thinking.

Materials Science Applications

For conference travel grants, successful applicants noted: “The application process was fairly straightforward stating the expenses need, the breakdown of expenditure and also a supervisor reference. The trust kindly requests a post-conference report which is simply a brief story stating how I gained from the trip.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Three-year perspective required: For small charity grants, articulate how £8,000 annually over three years will create meaningful, sustained change rather than short-term fixes
• Check emerging priorities: Veterans' prison/post-release support and children at risk of exclusion are flagged trustee interests—align applications if relevant
• Flexibility on grant use: Both project-specific and core costs funding is available, giving applicants flexibility in how they frame their need
• Annual reporting commitment: Continued funding beyond year one requires satisfactory annual reporting—be prepared for ongoing accountability
• Geographic specificity matters: Clearly state whether you operate nationally or within London (M25)—both are eligible but must be explicitly confirmed
• First-come advantage: Science education grants operate on rolling basis “while funds are available”—apply early in the financial year (post-April)
• Meeting trustees is crucial: Shortlisted small charity applicants present to trustees in November—this face-to-face stage likely determines final awards

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE WEAVERS' COMPANY BENEVOLENT FUND
• Sir Halley Stewart Trust
• The Ashworth Charitable Trust
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• The Beatrice Laing Trust
• Schroder Charity Trust
• THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION
• The Mohn Westlake Foundation
• The Jane Hodge Foundation
• THE BORIS KARLOFF CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

References

• Armourers' Hall Funding & Grants page: https://www.armourershall.co.uk/funding-grants
• Small Charities Programme page: https://www.armourershall.co.uk/funding-grants/small-charities-programme
• Small Charity Partners page: https://www.armourershall.co.uk/funding-grants/small-charity-partners
• Science Education in Schools page: https://www.armourershall.co.uk/funding-grants/support-science-schools
• Materials Science Travel Grants page: https://www.armourershall.co.uk/funding-grants/materials-science/travel-grants-research-students
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=279204
• Armourers' Hall Governance page: https://www.armourershall.co.uk/governance
• Young Brent Foundation - Armourers & Brasiers' Gauntlet Trust Small Charity Grant: https://youngbrentfoundation.org.uk/funding/armourers-brasiers-gauntlet-trust-small-charity-grant
• GrantFinder - Armourers & Brasiers' Gauntlet Trust Small Charity Grant: https://grantfinder.co.uk/armourers-brasiers-gauntlet-trust-small-charity-grant/