The Benevolent Fund Of The Worshipful Company Of Bakers

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 235230
• Annual Expenditure: £117,693 (2024)
• Grant Range: £125 - £5,000 (exceptional cases may be larger)
• Decision Time: Applications considered 5 times per year
• Geographic Focus: UK, with priority for London and baking-related projects
• Application Method: Fixed cycle (January, March, June, September, October)

Contact Details

Address: Bakers' Hall, Harp Lane, London EC3R 6DP

Phone: +44 020 7623 2223

Email: theclerk@bakers.co.uk

Website: www.bakers.co.uk

Clerk: Camilla Szymanowska (appointed January 2024)

Pre-Application Support: The charity advises potential applicants to contact the Clerk for an informal discussion before submitting an application.

Overview

The Benevolent Fund of the Worshipful Company of Bakers (established 1155) is an independent registered charity controlled by trustees, with total expenditure of £117,693 in 2024. The fund represents one of London's oldest guilds, tracing its origins back over 800 years. While historically focused on regulating bread production, the Company now concentrates on educational and charitable matters. The Benevolent Fund makes grants to charities and CIOs, with a particular emphasis on baking education and community projects that use baking in their programmes. The fund is supported by approximately 110 Company members, with about one-third being Master Bakers or allied traders. The Company was a founder member of the City & Guilds Institute in 1880 and maintains strong ties to the baking industry today.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community and Education Grants: £125 - £5,000 (exceptional cases may be larger)

• Applications considered five times annually (January, March, June, September, October)
• Downloadable application form submitted via email
• No retrospective funding

Priority Areas

The Benevolent Fund has three main areas of activity:

• Baking education, both mainstream and for disadvantaged individuals
• Projects that develop baking skills and knowledge
• Educational initiatives at all levels

• Community programmes that incorporate baking
• Projects like “Grow Your Own Playground” where children follow the journey of bread from wheat field to plate
• School-based baking initiatives

• General charitable purposes in the City of London
• Organizations supporting City communities

The fund explicitly states: “Priority is given to projects centered on baking” and “The Charity receives more applications than it is able to support.”

What They Don't Fund

• Individual tuition fees: The fund cannot support individual requests for help with tuition fees
• Retrospective grants: Grants for work already completed are not usually awarded
• Organizations other than charities/CIOs: Beneficiaries are usually charities or Charitable Incorporated Organizations

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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership (2025-2026)

Master: William Marle

• Became Master Baker in November 2025
• Liveryman since 1979
• Joined the Court in 2000
• Previously served on Executive Committee and Long-Term Planning Committee

Wardens:

• Upper Warden: Alison Springett
• Second Warden: Andrew Beale
• Third Warden: Russell Chweidan
• Under Warden: Max Elvidge

Deputy Master: Peter Baker

Clerk to the Company: Camilla Szymanowska (appointed January 2024)

• Previously served as Clerk of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
• Education includes The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland

Honorary Roles:

• Hon. Beadle: Elliott Tuffin
• Hon. Chaplain: The Revd Nicol Kinrade

Trustees: 5 trustees oversee the Benevolent Fund (none receive remuneration)

Volunteers: 15 volunteers support the charity's activities

Recent Recognition

Honorary Archivist Sylvia Macdonald was celebrated at the National Bakery Awards in September 2024, receiving an Outstanding Contribution to the Baking Industry award. The Company continues to play an active role in supporting the baking industry through representation at conferences and industry events.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Contact: theclerk@bakers.co.uk or 020 7623 2223

1. Application Form: Download the application form from the website (www.bakers.co.uk/charity/) and return completed form to theclerk@bakers.co.uk

1. Application Review: Applications are considered by trustees five times per year

Decision Timeline

Review Cycle: Applications are usually considered five times per year:

• January
• March
• June
• September
• October

Processing Time: The specific timeline from submission to decision is not publicly stated, but applications are reviewed at the scheduled meetings above.

Notification: Applicants are contacted via email with the decision.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the charity explicitly states: “The Charity receives more applications than it is able to support.” This indicates a competitive application process, making pre-application contact with the Clerk particularly important.

Reapplication Policy

The charity's reapplication policy is not explicitly stated in public materials. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the Clerk to discuss whether reapplication would be appropriate and when to reapply.

Application Success Factors

Strong Alignment Indicators

Based on the fund's stated priorities and recent grant-making activity:

1. Direct Connection to Baking: The fund states “Priority is given to projects centered on baking.” Successful applications should clearly demonstrate how baking is central to the project, not peripheral.

1. Educational Focus: Recent funded projects include support for schools like Gaelcholáiste Dhoire. Projects that combine education with baking skills development are well-positioned.

1. Community Benefit: The fund supports projects like “Grow Your Own Playground” that use baking to engage communities, particularly young people and disadvantaged groups.

1. Registered Charity/CIO Status: “Beneficiaries are usually charities or CIOs” - ensure your organization has appropriate charitable status.

Pre-Application Guidance

The charity's website explicitly states: “Please contact the Clerk for an informal discussion before submitting an application.” This pre-application conversation is a critical success factor:

• Allows you to test your project's fit before investing time in a full application
• Provides insight into current funding priorities and trustee interests
• Demonstrates respect for the fund's processes
• May reveal similar previously funded projects that can guide your approach

Application Quality Factors

1. Clear Baking Focus: Articulate precisely how baking is central to your project's delivery and outcomes

1. Educational Impact: Demonstrate measurable educational benefits, particularly for disadvantaged or young people

1. Realistic Budget: Grant requests typically range from £125-£5,000. Budget requests should be specific and well-justified.

1. Forward Planning: “Retrospective grants are not usually awarded” - ensure your application is for future work

1. City of London Connection: If relevant, highlight any connections to the City of London, as this is one of the fund's three priority areas

Language and Approach

The Company maintains strong connections to traditional craftsmanship and the baking trade. Applications should:

• Emphasize craft skills and quality baking techniques
• Reference the Company's long history of supporting baking education if relevant
• Use professional but accessible language that demonstrates understanding of baking as both craft and community activity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Make the pre-application call: The fund explicitly advises contacting the Clerk before applying. This conversation could save significant time and increase your chances of success.

• Baking must be central, not incidental: Priority goes to projects “centered on baking” - ensure baking is core to your work, not just a peripheral activity.

• Plan for the review cycle: With only five review meetings per year (January, March, June, September, October), submit well in advance of when you need funding.

• Be a charity or CIO: “Beneficiaries are usually charities or CIOs” - individual applications and non-charitable organizations are unlikely to succeed.

• Stay within the typical range: While exceptional grants may be larger, typical requests are £125-£5,000. Requests outside this range should be discussed with the Clerk first.

• Apply prospectively: “Retrospective grants are not usually awarded” - plan ahead and apply before work begins.

• Expect competition: The fund receives more applications than it can support, making the quality and alignment of your application critical to success.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Makers of Playing Cards Charity
• William Kendall's Charity (Wax Chandlers Company)
• The Innholders' Charitable Foundation
• The Greggs Foundation
• Bernard Sunley Foundation
• The Geoffrey Watling Charity
• Chartered Accountants' Livery Charity
• Isle of Wight Foundation
• DRAPERS CHARITABLE FUND
• TALLOW CHANDLERS BENEVOLENT FUND NO 2

References

1. The Charity Commission - Charity Overview, The Benevolent Fund of the Worshipful Company of Bakers (Charity 235230)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=235230&subid=0

Accessed: February 2, 2026

1. The Worshipful Company of Bakers - Charitable Activities

https://bakers.co.uk/charity/

Accessed: February 2, 2026

1. The Worshipful Company of Bakers - Benevolent Fund Application Form

https://bakers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/WCB-Ben-Fund-Application-Form-Feb-24.pdf

Accessed: February 2, 2026

1. The Worshipful Company of Bakers - Contact Information

https://bakers.co.uk/contact/

Accessed: February 2, 2026

1. The Worshipful Company of Bakers - The Master & Wardens

https://bakers.co.uk/about-us/the-master-wardens/

Accessed: February 2, 2026

1. The Worshipful Company of Bakers - History

https://bakers.co.uk/about-us/history/

Accessed: February 2, 2026

1. The Worshipful Company of Bakers - Education & Industry

https://bakers.co.uk/education-industry/

Accessed: February 2, 2026

1. British Baker - Double Success at the National Bakery Awards

https://bakers.co.uk/double-success-at-the-national-bakery-awards/

Accessed: February 2, 2026

1. LinkedIn - Camilla Szymanowska Profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilla-szymanowska-631807b4/

Accessed: February 2, 2026

1. Wikipedia - Worshipful Company of Bakers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worshipful_Company_of_Bakers

Accessed: February 2, 2026