The Campden Charities Trustee

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £4.8M (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2-4 weeks (initial contact within 2 working days)
• Grant Range: £150/month (young people) - varies by program
• Geographic Focus: Kensington (former parish), London

Contact Details

• Website: www.campdencharities.org.uk
• Email: grants@campdencharities.org.uk / Alex-Woolgar-Toms@Campdencharities.org.uk
• Phone: 020 7243 0551
• Address: Studios 3&4, 27A Pembridge Villas, London, W11 3EP
• Social Media: @campden_charities (Instagram)

Note: Applicants should not visit the office. All contact should be made via email or phone.

Overview

The Campden Charities Trustee (charity number 1104616) has been supporting residents of Kensington for nearly 400 years. Founded to fulfil the wishes of historic benefactors, the charity focuses on relieving poverty and promoting education and training for people in financial need. With annual expenditure of £4.8M (2024), the charity provides grants exclusively to individuals, not organizations. The charity makes over 500 grants annually (1,500+ grants to 900 new beneficiaries over the last three years), offering continuing support to over 1,000 individuals from previous years. Their approach emphasizes building relationships through home visits and personalized support, helping low-income families and individuals achieve financial independence through education, training, and employment support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Young People's Grant Programme (Ages 16-24)

• Monthly grant of approximately £150 throughout the academic year
• Supports costs including laptops, school supplies, travel, and clothing
• For those in full-time training or education (vocational training, apprenticeships, GCSEs, A-Levels)
• Application method: Rolling basis via online webform, phone, or referral

Campden Scholarship Programme (University Students)

• Annual grant for university students
• Additional accommodation cost assistance for those studying outside London
• Supports both London-based and out-of-London students
• Application method: Rolling basis

Campden Apprenticeship Programme

• Tops up apprenticeship wages to London Living Wage
• Ensures young apprentices can afford to live while training
• Application method: Rolling basis

General Grants for Individuals

• Education and training costs
• Employment-related expenses (travel, clothing, childcare)
• Essential household goods and services
• School journeys, after-school activities, uniforms
• Support for those not receiving free school meals

Referral Awards

• £1,500 to charities, schools, and organizations for each successful referral leading to a grant for a new applicant

Priority Areas

• Education and training (including vocational, social, recreational, and physical)
• Employment support and pathways to sustainable work
• Poverty relief for Kensington residents
• Support for unemployed or low-paid individuals to develop skills
• Essential household goods and services
• Childcare costs enabling work or training
• Support for young people from financially disadvantaged households

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

• Homeowners (must be in rented accommodation)
• Residents outside the former parish of Kensington (note: area does NOT include Chelsea)
• Those with less than 2 years continuous residency in Kensington
• Non-British nationals without indefinite leave to remain
• Organizations seeking grants (individuals only; organizations can receive referral awards)
• Those unwilling to have a home visit (in-person or virtual)
• Those unable/unwilling to share financial documents

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Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

• Alexander Woolgar-Toms: Secretary and Director (appointed 2022), also serves as a contact for the charity

Trustee Structure:

• The Campden Charities Trustee is a Private Limited Company by guarantee, incorporated 5 April 2004
• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• Demonstrates commitment to using funds solely for beneficiary support

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Three Application Methods (All Rolling Basis):

1. Online Webform: Apply via www.campdencharities.org.uk/apply - team will call within 2 working days
2. Phone: Call grants line at 020 7243 0551 for initial phone assessment
3. Referral: Be referred by an organization (school, charity, or even RBKC social workers)

Application Requirements:

• Willingness to have a home visit (in-person or virtual)
• Sharing of financial documents
• Evidence of 2+ years continuous Kensington residency
• Proof of immigration status (British/indefinite leave to remain)
• Evidence of rented accommodation
• Proof of means-tested benefits or low-paid employment

Decision Timeline

• Initial Contact: Within 2 working days of online application
• Home Visit: Scheduled after initial assessment (grants officers visit every household)
• Assessment: Officers believe "forming a relationship is the first step in understanding a family's needs"
• Ongoing Support: Successful applicants receive continued support and contact over multiple years

Success Rates

Recent Grant Activity:

• 1,500+ grants made to almost 900 new beneficiaries over the last 3 years
• Ongoing support maintained for 1,000+ individuals from previous years
• Approximately 500+ new grants annually
• Success rate percentage not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in available materials. However, the charity's approach of maintaining contact with beneficiaries over multiple years suggests ongoing support is encouraged. Contact grants team for specific reapplication guidance.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors:

1. Geographic Specificity: Ensure you live in the former parish of Kensington (NOT Chelsea) - this is strictly enforced with 2+ years continuous residency required

1. Relationship Building: The charity emphasizes that "forming a relationship is the first step in understanding a family's needs" - be prepared to engage openly during home visits

1. Clear Pathway to Independence: Applications should demonstrate how support will lead to sustainable employment or financial independence through training/education

1. Financial Transparency: Willingness to share financial documents is mandatory - be prepared with evidence of benefits or low-paid employment

1. Referral Route: Consider applying through a referring organization (school, charity, social worker) - these referrals can be particularly effective

1. Focus on Progression: The charity prioritizes “training and education for people who are unemployed or in low paid employment to develop the necessary skills that will support them on a realistic pathway to sustainable employment”

Recent Funding Examples:

• Educational support for young people in vocational training
• Apprenticeship wage top-ups to London Living Wage
• University student support including accommodation costs
• Essential household goods for families improving their circumstances
• Travel and childcare costs enabling employment

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Individual Focus Only: This funder exclusively supports individuals, not organizations (though organizations can earn £1,500 referral awards)

• Strict Geographic Requirements: Must prove 2+ years continuous residency in former Kensington parish - Chelsea is explicitly excluded

• Relationship-Based Approach: Home visits are mandatory - this charity values personal connection and understanding individual circumstances

• Employment Pathway Priority: Strongest applications demonstrate clear route to sustainable employment or financial independence through education/training

• Rolling Applications: No fixed deadlines - apply anytime via webform (2-day response), phone, or referral

• Long-Term Support: The charity maintains relationships over years - successful applicants often receive ongoing support, not just one-off grants

• Referral Power: If working with individuals who might qualify, making referrals can both help clients and earn your organization £1,500 per successful referral

References

• The Campden Charities official website: www.campdencharities.org.uk
• Charity Commission Register, charity number 1104616: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1104616&subId=0
• Companies House filing for The Campden Charities Trustee (company 05093340): https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/05093340
• Turn2us Grants Search: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-campden-charities-14695
• Young K&C Member Spotlight: https://youngkandc.org.uk/news/entry/young-k-c-member-spotlight-june-2021-the-campden-charities
• RBKC Family Information Hub: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/kb5/rbkc/fis/service.page?id=Nwmyo2JbMx0