The Clothworkers' Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £8.6 million (2024)
• Success Rate: 47% (2024, for eligible applications)
• Decision Time: 12 weeks (Small Grants), up to 6 months (Large Grants)
• Grant Range: Up to £15,000 (Small Grants), £15,000+ (Large Grants)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide
• Total Grants Awarded (2024): 467 grants

Contact Details

Website: https://www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk

Email: foundation@clothworkers.co.uk

Phone: 020 7623 7041

Address: Clothworkers' Hall, Dunster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7AH

Overview

Founded in 1977 as the primary charitable giving vehicle for The Clothworkers' Company, The Clothworkers' Foundation has awarded over £185 million in capital grants to support charities and social businesses working with marginalized and disadvantaged people and communities across the UK. With annual giving of £8.6 million (2024), the Foundation is one of the UK's top 50 charitable grant-makers. Their mission is “to support charities and social businesses that work with marginalised and disadvantaged people and communities, and those working towards a more equitable society.” The Foundation recently introduced an Impact Framework (2024) to better prioritize applications based on embedding lived experience and creating significant organizational change. Income primarily comes from endowments invested in stocks, property, and private equity, plus donations from The Clothworkers' Company.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Open Grants Programme (Rolling applications, online portal):

• Small Grants: Up to £15,000 - One-stage application process with decisions within 12 weeks
• Large Grants: Over £15,000 - Two-stage application process with first-stage decisions within 6 weeks; full applications decided within 6 months

In 2024, the Foundation awarded:

• 330 Small Grants
• 137 Large Grants
• 186 Building Projects
• 133 Equipment Grants
• 80 Vehicle Grants
• 71 Digital Infrastructure Grants

Grant Sizing Approach:

• For projects over £100,000: Generally fund 10% or more of the balance to be raised
• For projects under £15,000: Generally fund 50-100% of the remaining balance
• Match funding not required before applying

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds capital costs across 10 programme areas (at least 50% of service users must be from these groups):

1. Communities Experiencing Racial Inequalities
2. Disabilities (including Mental Health & Visual Impairment)
3. Domestic & Sexual Abuse
4. Economic Disadvantage
5. Homelessness
6. LGBT+ Communities
7. Older People Facing Disadvantage
8. Prison & Rehabilitation
9. Substance Misuse & Addiction
10. Young People Facing Disadvantage

Capital Costs Funded:

• Buildings: Purchase, construction, renovation, refurbishment
• Equipment: Office furniture, sports/gym equipment, digital/audio-visual equipment, garden equipment, specialist therapeutic equipment (not medical)
• Vehicles: Minibuses, cars, caravans, people carriers
• Digital Infrastructure: One-off costs for digitizing processes, websites, apps, databases

Priority Given To:

• Organizations that embed lived experience in decision-making at all levels
• Projects creating significant change to delivery, reach, or sustainability
• Organizations led by people with relevant lived experience
• Grassroots, community-led organizations

What They Don't Fund

Organizations:

• Organizations that received a grant offer within the past 5 years
• Organizations promoting a particular religion or political party
• Organizations with applications declined in past 6 months (for different projects)
• Organizations with annual income over £10 million (Large Grants) or £2 million (Small Grants)
• Organizations with over 12 months of reserves
• Second-tier/infrastructure organizations
• Hospices and NHS charities
• Grantmaking organizations
• Most schools, colleges, and universities (except special schools for students with disabilities)
• Almshouses
• Organizations whose core activity is community transport

Costs:

• Retrospective costs already paid
• Non-capital costs (salaries, overheads, rent, training, volunteer expenses)
• Equipment for one-off use or personal permanent use by service users
• Vehicle leasing
• One-off events
• Consumable items
• Marketing materials
• Medical equipment (distinct from therapeutic equipment)
• Work outside the UK

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Susanna O'Leary (Chair) - Property solicitor with experience at Allen & Overy and Farrer & Co; passionate about equity programmes and grassroots charities
• Ola Opoosun (Deputy Chair) - 21+ years in charity sector; specializes in programme and grant management; Interim Project/Grant Lead at London Community Foundation
• Tom Ingham Clark - Former Scots Guards military officer; wealth management background at Coutts & Co and EFG Private Bank; small business founder
• Peter Jonas - 25+ years in equities sales and trading at William Blair and Co; involved with Hands On London
• Meredith Niles - Experienced charity leader with previous roles at Goldman Sachs, Impetus Trust, and Marie Curie; multiple trusteeships

Senior Staff:

• Jenny North (Foundation Director) - Background in service design and charity sector; previously at Dartington Service Design Lab; leads strategic direction and programme development
• Hamesh Patel (Director of Finance, Property & Investments) - Chartered Accountant with property finance background; worked with UK-listed property companies

The Clothworkers' Company serves as the Corporate Trustee of The Foundation, with the board comprising both Company members and externally-sourced trustees to ensure diverse perspectives.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Eligibility Quiz

All prospective applicants must complete an online Eligibility Quiz to determine eligibility before applying.

Step 2: Application Submission

• Small Grants (up to £15,000): One-stage application via online portal
• Large Grants (over £15,000): Two-stage application process
• First stage: Organization, project, and intended impact information
• Organizations scoring highest on Impact Framework invited to second stage
• Second stage: Full application

Application Format:

• Rolling basis (no fixed deadlines)
• Online portal submission
• Application guidance PDF available with form previews and budget templates
• AI assistance permitted; honest communication valued over perfect writing

Decision Timeline

• Small Grants: Decision within 12 weeks
• Large Grants:
• First stage response within 6 weeks
• Second stage (full application) decision within 6 months

Decision-Makers:

• Small Grants: Foundation Director
• Large Grants: Grants Team assessment, with decisions by Grants Committee or Trustee Board

Notification: All applicants receive email notification; unsuccessful applicants receive brief feedback

Success Rates

• 2024 Success Rate: 47% for eligible applications
• 2024 Total Grants: 467 grants awarded totaling £8.6 million
• High demand: Applications significantly exceed available funding

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful Applicants: Can reapply for a different project after 6 months
• Cannot Reapply: For the same project if declined
• 5-Year Rule: Cannot apply again within 5 years of receiving a grant offer (unless specifically invited)

Application Success Factors

Impact Framework Criteria

Applications are assessed on two independent criteria. Organizations scoring highly on both are prioritized:

1. Embedding Lived Experience

The Foundation prioritizes organizations that embed lived experience of the issues they tackle in decision-making at all levels. As quoted in their guidance: “We exist because we believe in the power and potential and purpose of grassroots leadership... [these organizations] can create transformational change.” They recognize this looks different for different organizations and ask about it in application forms.

2. Significant Organizational Change

Projects that create significant change to delivery, reach, or sustainability, such as:

• Owning a building for the first time
• Refurbishment increasing service capacity or quality
• First vehicle purchase
• Digital infrastructure significantly expanding reach

Organizations scoring highly on one criterion may receive funding, but those scoring poorly on both are very unlikely to be funded.

Direct Advice from the Foundation

On Application Writing: "We want to understand your organisation's work, your project, and how lived experience features in your decisions - we're most interested in honest communication, not perfect grammar or writing style."

On Financial Need: Applications must demonstrate clear financial need. Concerns about financial position (too many reserves or insufficient fundraising plans) are common reasons for decline.

On Outcomes: “While it can be difficult to identify outcomes for a capital project, we are keen to find out about predicted outcomes for your organisation even if you cannot predict outcomes for beneficiaries.”

Recent Funded Projects (2024 Examples)

• Dallaglio Rugby Works: £50,000 for digital platform
• Venture Scotland: £15,000 for 17-seater minibus

Common Reasons for Decline

• Ineligible organization structure or type
• Insufficient fit across Programme Areas
• Inadequate evidence of financial need
• Concerns about financial position (excessive reserves)
• Non-capital project requests
• Insufficient demonstration of secular activities (for faith-based organizations)
• Inadequate fundraising plans
• Low scoring on Impact Framework criteria

Strategic Tips

• Demonstrate Lived Experience: Show how people with direct experience of the issues inform decision-making, governance, and service delivery
• Emphasize Transformational Impact: Explain how the capital investment will fundamentally change organizational capacity, reach, or sustainability
• Be Specific About Beneficiaries: Clearly demonstrate that at least 50% of service users fall within priority programme areas
• Show Financial Planning: Present realistic fundraising plans and appropriate reserve levels
• Focus on Capital Impact: Even if outcomes are uncertain, articulate predicted organizational benefits
• Complete the Eligibility Quiz First: Saves time and ensures appropriateness before investing in application

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Lived Experience is Central: Organizations that embed lived experience in governance and decision-making are strongly preferred. This is a core assessment criterion.

• Capital Projects That Transform: The Foundation seeks to fund projects that create step-changes in organizational capacity, not incremental improvements. Articulate how the capital investment fundamentally alters what you can achieve.

• 47% Success Rate: With nearly half of eligible applications funded in 2024, odds are reasonable for well-aligned applications, but competition remains significant.

• Two-Tier Application for Large Grants: The two-stage process for grants over £15,000 saves time for unlikely applicants. First-stage feedback within 6 weeks helps organizations pivot quickly if needed.

• 5-Year Gap Between Grants: Plan long-term as you cannot reapply for 5 years after receiving funding. Make your application count.

• Rolling Applications Favor Preparedness: No deadlines mean you can apply when truly ready, but also means competition is constant. Complete applications fare better than rushed ones.

• Honest Communication Valued: The Foundation explicitly values honest, clear communication over polished writing. Use AI tools if helpful; focus on substance over style.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Mayor of London
• The Leathersellers' Foundation
• Awards for All
• Joseph Rowntree Foundation
• BBC Children in Need
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• The London Community Foundation
• Jack Petchey Foundation
• THE PRUDENCE TRUST
• The Swire Charitable Trust
• Backstage Trust
• The Waterloo Foundation
• The Henry Smith Foundation
• The Charles Hayward Foundation
• The Mercers' Charitable Foundation
• The Pilgrim Trust
• The Rank Foundation Limited
• National Lottery
• WATES FOUNDATION

References

1. The Clothworkers' Foundation Official Website - Homepage: https://www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk/

1. The Clothworkers' Foundation - About Us: https://www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk/about-us/

1. The Clothworkers' Foundation - Apply for a Grant: https://www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant

1. The Clothworkers' Foundation - FAQs: https://www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk/faq

1. The Clothworkers' Foundation - Open Grants Programme: https://www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk/open-funding

1. The Clothworkers' Foundation - Who We Are: https://www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are/

1. The Clothworkers' Foundation - Exclusions: https://www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk/what-we-fund/exclusions/

1. The Clothworkers' Foundation - “Do It Now Now: The Significance of Lived Experience”: https://www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk/latest-news/do-it-now-now-the-significance-of-lived-experience

1. The Clothworkers' Foundation - “Responding to Demand V: Upcoming Changes to Our Open Grants Programme”: https://www.clothworkersfoundation.org.uk/latest-news/%20responding-to-demand-upcoming-changes-to-our-open-grants-programme-part-5

1. Charity Commission - The Clothworkers' Foundation (Charity Number 274100): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/274100

1. The Clothworkers' Foundation Annual Review 2024 (Issuu): https://issuu.com/clothworkers/docs/the_clothworkers_foundation_annual_review_2024