The City Of London Corporation Combined Relief Of Poverty Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £3,297 (2023-24)
• Grant Range: £500 - £3,000 (individual hardship grants)
• Geographic Focus: London (with some exceptions for dependents outside London)
• Application Method: Rolling basis via email application
• Eligibility: Very restricted - widows/widowers/children of City of London Freemen, or elected City of London Members and their dependents

Contact Details

• Charity Number: 1073660
• Email: Central Funding and Charity Management Team (via City of London Corporation)
• Phone: 020 7606 3030 (City of London Corporation main switchboard)
• Address: City of London Corporation

Overview

The City of London Corporation Combined Relief of Poverty Charity (registered 1073660) is the principal relief of need and poverty charity for which the City of London Corporation acts as trustee. The charity brings together the Corporation of London Benevolent Society and Signor Favale's Marriage Portion Charity. With an income of £18,133 and expenditure of £3,297 in the 2023-24 financial year, the charity provides relief to those in need by reason of poverty, old age, ill health, accident or infirmity who are either the widow, widower or child of a Freeman of the City of London, or who are elected City of London Members and their dependents. The charity operates through both individual hardship grants and strategic grants to organizations serving City residents.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Hardship Grants: £500 - £3,000

• Rolling application basis via email
• One grant per household per 12 months, maximum three grants total
• For individuals facing financial hardship due to poverty, old age, ill health, accident or infirmity

Strategic Grants: Amount not disclosed

• Currently provides funding to Family Action for the Aldgate Food Club
• The Aldgate Food Club provides good-quality food at low cost, held at Artizan Street Library
• Open to all City residents and City workers

Priority Areas

• Relief of poverty and financial hardship
• Support for elderly residents
• Health and wellbeing support
• Food security for City residents

Who Is Eligible

Very Restricted Eligibility:

• Widows, widowers, or children of Freemen of the City of London
• Previous or current elected City of London Members, their dependents or connected persons
• For London residents in the above categories
• For applicants outside London: only widows, widowers or children of previous and current City of London elected Members

Financial Criteria:

• Applicants under pension credit age: less than £6,000 in savings
• Applicants over pension credit age: less than £10,000 in savings
• Must be in receipt of (or claiming) at least one means-tested benefit OR be in education/training

What They Don't Fund

• Items already bought or bills already paid (even if money was borrowed)
• Repairs or improvements to rented properties
• Loss of earnings due to strike action

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by the City of London Corporation acting as trustee. The charity has 1 trustee position. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The charity has no employees or trading subsidiaries.

The day-to-day administration is handled by the City of London Corporation's Central Funding and Charity Management Team.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individual Hardship Grants:

1. Email completed application and supporting documents to the Central Funding and Charity Management Team

Note: Only one application per household will be considered at any one time.

Decision Timeline

• Applications are acknowledged within 10 working days of receipt
• Incomplete applications are returned within 10 working days with a further 10 working days to provide missing information
• Specific decision timelines not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

• Only one grant per household per 12-month period
• Maximum of three grants total (lifetime limit)

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Clear Eligibility:

• Provide clear documentation of your connection to a Freeman of the City of London or an elected City of London Member
• Ensure all eligibility documentation is complete and accurate

Meet Financial Criteria:

• Provide current bank statements showing savings below the threshold
• Include proof of means-tested benefits or education/training enrollment

Document the Need:

• Clearly explain the financial hardship being experienced
• Provide supporting evidence (unpaid bills, quotes for essential items, medical documentation)
• Focus on needs related to poverty, old age, ill health, accident, or infirmity

Complete Applications:

• The charity specifically notes that incomplete applications will be returned, so ensure all documentation is included from the outset
• This will speed up the decision process

Plan Ahead:

• Do not purchase items or pay bills before applying, as the charity will not reimburse expenses already incurred
• Get quotes for items/services needed before applying

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Highly Restricted Eligibility: This charity serves a very narrow group - only widows/widowers/children of City of London Freemen, or elected City of London Members and their dependents
• Small Grant Amounts: Maximum £3,000 per grant, minimum £500
• Lifetime Limit: Maximum three grants total per household, one per 12-month period
• No Retrospective Funding: Cannot fund items already purchased or bills already paid
• Financial Means Testing: Strict savings limits (£6,000 or £10,000 depending on age) and benefit requirements
• Complete Applications Essential: Incomplete applications are returned, causing delays
• Strategic Grants Exist: The charity also makes strategic grants to organizations, currently funding Family Action's Aldgate Food Club

References

• The Charity Commission Register: “THE CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION COMBINED RELIEF OF POVERTY CHARITY - 1073660” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1073660&subid=0
• City of London Corporation: “Combined Relief of Poverty Charity Hardship Grants” https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-us/working-with-community/combined-relief-of-poverty-charity-hardship-grants (Referenced January 2025)
• City of London Corporation: “Trusts and charities” https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-us/working-with-community/trusts-and-charities (Referenced January 2025)