The Barnes Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £328,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2-5 days (individuals); quarterly meetings (organizations)
• Grant Range: £500 - £1,500 (individuals); variable (organizations)
• Geographic Focus: Barnes, SW13 postcode area, London

Contact Details

Website: www.thebarnesfund.org.uk

Email: executivedirector@thebarnesfund.org.uk

Phone: 07484 146802

Overview

The Barnes Fund (Charity No. 200103) was established in 1886, with roots tracing back to the 17th-century workhouse system. The charity was renamed from “Barnes Workhouse Fund” in 2020 to modernize its image. With annual giving of £328,000, The Barnes Fund supports residents of Barnes, SW13, focusing on relief of poverty, support for older people, assistance for those with disabilities or poor health, recreation and leisure facilities, and education. The charity operates as a corporate trustee structure (The Barnes Fund Trustee Ltd, Company No. 10873803) and also manages Walsingham Lodge, providing sheltered accommodation for older Barnes residents. The charity's vision is to be "our community's first choice grant funding organisation, that exists to support the needs of the people of Barnes."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Hardship Grants: £500 maximum per year (£1,500 over three years)

• Applications processed within 2-5 days for complete applications
• Must be referred through partner agencies (Age UK, Citizens Advice, Richmond Aid, health visitors, social workers, churches, housing providers, schools, local charities)
• Payment typically made directly to suppliers, not individuals
• Covers utility bills, essential household items, furniture, school trips/uniforms, food vouchers
• Discretionary exceptions possible (e.g., carpets may exceed £500 limit)

Education Grants: £1,000 maximum per student

• For Barnes residents demonstrating financial need
• Must have exhausted other funding sources
• Covers tuition fees, maintenance support, equipment, travel costs, childcare
• Not available for post-graduate study
• Paid directly to college or in termly installments
• Home interview likely required

Organizational Grants: Variable amounts (not publicly specified)

• Grant committee meets quarterly: February, May, July, October
• Application deadlines: January 7th, April 6th, June 6th, September 6th
• Supports core funding, capital revenue, and specific projects
• Applications reviewed through online forms

Priority Areas

• Support for older people
• Relief for low-income residents and those in financial hardship
• Support for disabled or physically/mentally ill individuals
• Recreation, wellness, and leisure facilities
• Educational opportunities
• Services that directly benefit Barnes residents with greatest needs

What They Don't Fund

• National charities (must directly benefit Barnes community residents)
• Items or services that the state provides
• Post-graduate education
• Direct payments to individuals (except in rare circumstances)
• Organizations that do not serve Barnes residents

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Governance and Leadership

Executive Staff:

• Katy Makepeace-Gray, Executive Director - 15 years of grant-making experience, joined September 2018 from London Councils. Passionate about local communities and the voluntary sector.
• Louisa Platt, Administrator - Joined March 2021, previously worked in the egg industry, active in local charities with strong connection to Barnes community.

Board of Trustees:

• Richard Raine, Chair - Chartered Accountant with MBA, Finance Director experience, 25-year Barnes resident, former trustee of Trinity Hospice and Parkinson's UK
• Matthew Purser, Vice Chair - 30 years corporate real estate experience, 20+ year Barnes resident, previously trustee of Barnes Community Association
• James Whale, Treasurer - Chartered Accountant, 25 years investment banking, Barnes community member since 2000
• Nicolas Tiffou, Chair of Investment Committee - 25 years financial services, 10 years charity strategic advisory
• Kate Coppinger (Co-opted) - 20-year investment banking career, Non-Executive Director, focuses on Housing Register management
• Maria Wood, Designated Safeguarding Trustee - Background in Social Work and Counselling, experience with elderly and vulnerable populations
• Charlotte Nickels - Data scientist in financial services, lifelong Barnes resident, focuses on understanding resident needs
• Cllr Marjory Millum - Local Council representative, lawyer and Pilates instructor, Barnes Ward councillor
• Will van de Pette - Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist, serves on Grant Making and Investment Committees

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Individuals - Hardship Grants:

• Cannot apply directly
• Must be referred by partner agencies (Age UK, Richmond Aid, Citizens Advice, health visitors, social workers, local churches, housing providers, schools, local charities)
• Referral agencies complete online application form
• Form checks eligibility (SW13 postcode area)
• Minimal data collected, anonymized for trustee review

Individuals - Education Grants:

• Complete online application form on website
• Partial form completion allowed
• Home interview likely required
• Contact Executive Director with questions

Organizations:

• Two application forms available online
• Submit by quarterly deadlines: January 7th, April 6th, June 6th, September 6th
• Must demonstrate activities benefit Barnes residents
• New applicants encouraged to read case studies on website

Decision Timeline

Individual Grants:

• Most requests considered immediately: 2-5 days for complete applications
• Complex applications may require full board consideration (longer timeframe)

Organizational Grants:

• Grant committee meets quarterly (February, May, July, October)
• Decisions made at quarterly meetings following application deadlines

Post-Grant Requirements

For Organizations:

• Detailed feedback report required including:
• Service/activity description
• Number of Barnes residents served
• Impact on supported groups
• Service user feedback
• Publicity methods
• Future expansion plans

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The charity states “every application is considered that can demonstrate that their activities will benefit residents of the Barnes community.”

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated on website. Contact Executive Director for guidance on reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors:

• Direct benefit to Barnes residents, especially those with greatest needs
• Geographic eligibility (SW13 postcode area essential)
• Services addressing priority areas: older people, low-income individuals, disabled/ill residents, recreation/leisure, education
• Demonstration of financial need and exhaustion of other funding sources

Examples of Funded Organizations:

• FiSH: Multi-year support for core funding and fleet of buses; arranges activities to combat loneliness among elderly
• Holly Lodge Centre: Educational programmes in Richmond Park focusing on science, nature, and history for people with disabilities
• Castelnau Community Centre: Community services and facilities
• Richmond AID: Services for disabled people
• Barnes Green Centre: Various community programs

Language and Terminology:

The charity emphasizes its core values in communications:

• Approachable: “Accessible and listening to community needs”
• Discreet: “Protecting personal data and being trustworthy”
• Fair: “Helping people with kindness and consideration”
• Co-operative: “Working with individuals and organizations to support residents”

Process Tips:

• For individual grants, work through established referral agencies who are familiar with the process
• For education grants, be prepared for home interview and demonstrate genuine financial need
• For organizational grants, clearly articulate how activities benefit Barnes residents and align with funding priorities
• New organizational applicants should review case studies on website before applying
• Complete applications receive faster decisions

Standing Out:

• Demonstrate deep understanding of Barnes community needs
• Show evidence of impact on residents with greatest needs
• Articulate clear, measurable outcomes
• Provide specific examples of Barnes residents who will benefit
• Establish relationships with referral partners who understand the Fund's priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only organizations serving Barnes, SW13 residents will be considered; national charities are explicitly excluded
• Work through referral partners: For individual hardship grants, partnership with established referral agencies is mandatory; build relationships with these gatekeepers
• Timing is predictable: Organizational grants follow strict quarterly cycle; plan submissions around January 7th, April 6th, June 6th, or September 6th deadlines
• Focus on greatest needs: The Fund prioritizes residents who are financially disadvantaged, elderly, or suffering from poor physical/mental health
• Core values matter: Applications should reflect the Fund's values of being approachable, discreet, fair, and cooperative
• Historical commitment: With roots dating to 1886 and earlier workhouse systems, the charity has deep ties to Barnes community; demonstrating understanding of this local commitment strengthens applications
• Multiple grant streams: Organizations can apply for core funding, capital revenue, or specific projects; tailor application to appropriate stream

References

• The Barnes Fund official website. “Homepage.” https://thebarnesfund.org.uk/
• The Barnes Fund. “About Us.” https://thebarnesfund.org.uk/about-us/
• The Barnes Fund. “Our History.” https://thebarnesfund.org.uk/our-history/
• The Barnes Fund. “Our People.” https://thebarnesfund.org.uk/our-people/
• The Barnes Fund. “Annual Report.” https://thebarnesfund.org.uk/annual-report/
• The Barnes Fund. “Financial support and grants for organisations and charities.” https://thebarnesfund.org.uk/charity-or-voluntary-organisation/
• The Barnes Fund. “Grants to individuals relieve financial hardship.” https://thebarnesfund.org.uk/individual-in-need/
• The Barnes Fund. “Grants to individuals for education purposes.” https://thebarnesfund.org.uk/individual-education/
• The Barnes Fund. “Get Involved.” https://thebarnesfund.org.uk/get-involved/
• Charity Commission for England and Wales. “The Barnes Fund - 200103.” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/200103
• Find that Charity. “GB-CHC-200103 | The Barnes Fund.” https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-200103