The Hornsey Parochial Charities

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £145,689 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 2 weeks review, decisions at quarterly meetings
• Grant Range: Varies by program type
• Geographic Focus: Ancient Parish of Hornsey (N8 and parts of N2, N4, N6, N10, N16)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.hornseycharities.org

Email: clerk@hornseycharities.org

Phone: 020 8352 1601

Clerk to the Trustees: Lorraine Fincham

Online Application Portal: https://hornseyparochialcharities.submittable.com/submit

Overview

The Hornsey Parochial Charities is one of London's oldest charitable foundations, with origins dating back to 1620 when William Priestley left £250 to support eight disadvantaged men of Hornsey. The charity was formally consolidated in 1890, combining around 20 individual charities that had been supporting Hornsey residents in hardship. Celebrating its quadricentenary in 2020, the charity has evolved from serving a parish where the majority lived in extreme poverty to a modern grant-maker with total income of £157,006 and expenditure of £145,689 in 2023. Between 2000 and 2019, the charity supported over 148 local organisations through hundreds of grants. The charity's mission remains focused on relieving persons resident in the Ancient Parish of Hornsey who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress through three distinct grant programs: individual grants, educational grants, and organisational grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants

• Support for household essentials including cookers, fridges, washing machines, beds, bedding, furniture, and essential baby equipment
• Basic clothing and footwear
• Usually awarded via voucher system
• Applications must be supported by a reference letter from a professional supporting organisation or support worker

Educational Grants (managed through separate foundation established 1955, charity number 312810)

• For young people under 25 who are residents in the area of benefit
• Must have received primary and/or secondary education within the area of benefit
• Covers course expenses, tuition fees, educational equipment, and expenses related to education or career development

Organisational Grants

• Support charitable organisations working to improve lives of people in the Ancient Parish of Hornsey
• Historic data: 243 grants awarded 2000-2019 to organisations supporting children and young people (total: £270,000+)
• Also supports organisations working with disabilities/special needs (45 grants 2000-2019) and homelessness/poverty (49 grants 2000-2019)

Priority Areas

• Children and Young People: Major focus area with significant historic investment
• Education: Supporting access to education and vocational development
• Disabilities and Special Needs: Supporting children, young people, and families with disabilities or difficulties to be included in all areas of society
• Homelessness and Poverty: Working to end homelessness, rebuild lives, and create opportunities for those facing hardship
• Essential Needs: Household items, clothing, and basic necessities for individuals in need

What They Don't Fund

Geographic restrictions are strictly enforced - applicants outside the defined area of benefit (all of N8, parts of N10, N2, N6, N4, and N16) are not eligible and should not apply.

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 13 Trustees:

• 6 trustees from Haringey
• 3 trustees from Hackney
• 3 co-opted trustees
• 1 Chair

Trustees are responsible for controlling the work, management, and administration of the charity. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The board meets 4 times per year (typically in March, May, September, and November) on Monday or Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm, with meetings usually lasting 2 hours.

Clerk to the Trustees: Lorraine Fincham

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Check Eligibility

• Use the postcode checker on the charity's website to confirm your address falls within the area of benefit
• If your postcode is not eligible, do not complete an application as the charity will not be able to make a grant
• Ensure you meet the 12-month residency requirement

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

For individual grants, you must obtain a reference letter from either:

• A third party professional supporting organisation, or
• A support worker

Step 3: Submit Online Application

Complete the appropriate online application form via the Submittable platform:

• Individual Grant application: https://hornseyparochialcharities.submittable.com/submit
• Educational Grant application: Separate form available on the same platform
• Organisational Grant application: Contact the charity for details

Decision Timeline

• Applications are received on a rolling basis
• Applications are reviewed by post 2 weeks before trustee meetings
• Trustees meet quarterly (typically March, May, September, and November) to make collective decisions on grant applications
• Total timeline: Approximately 2 weeks review period plus timing to next quarterly meeting

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly available. However, historical data shows significant grant-making activity with 243 grants to children and young people organisations alone between 2000-2019.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the charity directly for guidance on reapplication procedures.

Application Success Factors

Critical Eligibility Requirements:

• Geographic specificity: The charity strictly enforces its geographic boundaries. Use their postcode checker - applications from outside the eligible area will be rejected automatically.
• Residency requirement: 12 months minimum residency in the area of benefit is mandatory for both individuals and organisations.
• Professional reference: Individual grants require third-party professional support - ensure this reference letter is obtained before starting your application.

Educational Grant Applicants:

• Must demonstrate both residency AND educational history within the area of benefit (having received primary/secondary education there)
• Age restriction is firm - must be under 25

Organisational Grant Applicants:

• The charity has demonstrated sustained commitment to children and young people (£270,000+ over 2000-2019), disabilities/special needs, and homelessness/poverty work
• Evidence of working directly to improve lives of Hornsey residents will be important

Application Quality:

• Since trustees review applications collectively at quarterly meetings, ensure applications clearly demonstrate genuine need/hardship
• For organisations, demonstrating local impact within the specific geographic area is essential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable: Always use the postcode checker first - this is the most common reason for rejection
• Plan for quarterly decision cycle: With only 4 meetings per year, understand that decisions may take several weeks depending on application timing
• Professional reference is mandatory: For individual grants, secure your reference letter from a supporting organisation before starting the application
• Historic priorities matter: The charity has shown particular commitment to children/young people, education, disabilities, and homelessness - applications in these areas align with proven track record
• 400-year legacy of local service: This is a deeply local charity with roots in the community since 1620 - emphasize local connections and impact on Hornsey residents
• Rolling applications to quarterly decisions: You can apply anytime, but decisions only happen quarterly - factor this into your funding timeline
• Contact for guidance: If uncertain about eligibility or process, contact the Clerk at clerk@hornseycharities.org before investing time in an application

References

1. The Hornsey Parochial Charities official website - https://www.hornseycharities.org
2. Charity Commission Register, charity number 229410 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=229410
3. Hornsey Parochial Charities “How to Apply” page - https://www.hornseycharities.org/how-to-apply
4. Hornsey Parochial Charities "Support & Funding" page - https://www.hornseycharities.org/background
5. Hornsey Parochial Charities “History” page - https://www.hornseycharities.org/history
6. Hornsey Parochial Charities “Who do we support?” page - https://www.hornseycharities.org/organisations-we-support
7. Haringey Council - Outside bodies listing - https://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/mgOutsideBodyDetails.aspx?ID=528
8. Turn2us Grants Search - The Hornsey Parochial Charities - https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-hornsey-parochial-charities-14708