The International Bankers Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £226,388 (latest accounts)
• Total Distributed: Over £1.7 million to charitable causes since 2003
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified - contact required
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £2,000+ (new charities typically start at £1,000)
• Geographic Focus: London (particularly underprivileged young people), with wider UK reach

Contact Details

Address: c/o Worshipful Company of International Bankers, Wax Chandlers' Hall, 6 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7AD

Phone: 07538 230438

Email: clerk@internationalbankers.co.uk

Website: www.internationalbankers.org.uk

Clerk and CEO: Carole Seawert (also serves as Secretary of the charitable trust)

Overview

The International Bankers Charitable Trust was constituted under a Trust Deed dated 28 June 2001 (amended 29 February 2008) and registered as a charity in England and Wales (No. 1087630). Since distributing its first grants in 2003, the Trust has awarded over £1.7 million to charitable causes. With annual income of approximately £226,388, the Trust operates through the Worshipful Company of International Bankers (WCIB), which serves as the sole corporate trustee. The Trust's mission focuses on supporting vocational training in the financial services industry and promoting charitable works aligned with the WCIB's aims, with particular emphasis on positively impacting underprivileged young people in London. The organisation maintains a small, volunteer-driven operation with 50 volunteers and no salaried employees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Annual Grants Programme: The WCIB makes grants annually to charitable causes. Typical donations to new charities normally start at up to £1,000, but larger awards are considered when funding can make a clear difference in accordance with Company aims.

Pitch Your Charity Initiative: Members propose charities for support, with £2,000 grants awarded to selected organisations. Recipients have included Greenhouse Sports and King Henry's Walk Garden.

Relationship Charities: Most grants go to long-term relationship schools, universities, and charities with ongoing programmes, though the WCIB actively seeks to develop new relationships with charities operating in areas that meet their aims.

Major Fundraising Events: The organisation hosts gala dinners and special fundraising events that can raise significant sums for selected projects.

Priority Areas

The Trust supports charities working with young people in:

• Education and Financial Literacy: Teaching financial skills and supporting educational achievement, particularly for disadvantaged youth
• Employability and Career Development: Raising aspirations for education and employment, improving job prospects
• Vocational Training in Financial Services: Supporting training programmes that build skills for careers in banking and finance
• Disadvantaged Individuals: Projects with a clear purpose and measurable impact
• City of London Initiatives: Financial services-linked charitable initiatives and support for communities surrounding the City of London

Relationship Charities have included:

• The Brokerage: Employability programmes connecting young people to City employers
• Share Foundation: Programmes for youth in care, focusing on literacy, numeracy, and financial skills
• Clement James: Education and employment support with specialist legal and trauma advice
• School Home Support: Economic wellbeing programmes
• Uprising: Leadership programmes for young people in East London
• Greenhouse Sports: Sport-based programmes for young people across London boroughs

Educational Partnerships

The Company maintains relationships with business schools and universities, providing prizes (including the WCIB Lombard Prize) and opportunities for interaction. It also funds bursaries at City of London School, City of London School for Girls, and Dulwich College.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust's focus is clearly on youth development, education, and financial services-related causes. Projects outside these areas or not aligned with supporting disadvantaged young people in London are unlikely to be considered.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustee Structure: The Worshipful Company of International Bankers serves as the sole corporate trustee. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Governance: The Company is governed by a Court of Assistants consisting of:

• Master (elected annually, typically serves from installation to the following year)
• Senior Warden (Deputy Master)
• Middle Warden
• Junior Warden
• Past Masters
• Liverymen

The Court typically meets four times per year.

Administration: Carole Seawert serves as Clerk and CEO, responsible for efficient running of the Company and serving as Secretary of the charitable trust.

Charity & Education Committee: This committee oversees charitable grant-making and is one of seven standing committees at the heart of the organisation. The committee welcomes suggestions from members for charities that meet core objectives.

Other Standing Committees: Associates Committee, Communications Committee, Events Committee, Finance Committee, Membership Committee, and Livery Committee.

Strategic Priorities: The organisation's priority is “helping underprivileged young people by increasing financial literacy, supporting education, raising aspirations for education and employment, and improving the likelihood of employment.” The organisation also supports the Lord Mayor's Appeal and other historic City of London charities.

How to Apply to The International Bankers Charitable Trust

How to Apply

The Trust accepts applications from charitable organisations aligned with their objectives. While there is a grant application page on the WCIB website (internationalbankers.org.uk/charity&education/apply-grant), specific application deadlines and detailed submission requirements are not publicly available.

Key Application Information:

• The WCIB makes grants annually to charitable causes
• Most grants go to long-term relationship charities, schools, and universities with ongoing programmes
• The organisation also seeks to develop new relationships with charities meeting their aims
• The Charity & Education Committee welcomes suggestions from members for charities that meet core objectives
• Initial contact should be made via email (clerk@internationalbankers.co.uk) or phone (07538 230438)

Getting on Their Radar

Member Recommendations: The “Pitch Your Charity” initiative allows WCIB members to propose charities for £2,000 grants. Building relationships with members of the Worshipful Company may provide a pathway to support.

Committee Engagement: The Charity & Education Committee oversees charitable grants. Organisations aligned with the Trust's focus on youth development, financial literacy, and employability should consider making contact through the Clerk's office.

Long-term Partnerships: The Trust explicitly states its preference for developing long-term relationships with charities that have ongoing programmes. Demonstrating sustainability and measurable impact over time is valued.

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines from application to decision are not publicly available. Given that grants are made annually and the Court meets four times per year, charities should expect decision-making to align with the Court's meeting schedule.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, with over £1.7 million distributed to charitable causes since 2003, this suggests regular grant-making activity, though the number of grants per year may vary significantly.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. The emphasis on long-term relationship building suggests that unsuccessful applicants could reapply, particularly if they can demonstrate stronger alignment with the Trust's priorities or enhanced programme outcomes.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated priorities and funded projects, successful applications should demonstrate:

Alignment with Core Mission: “The current priority is helping underprivileged young people by increasing financial literacy, supporting education, raising aspirations for education and employment, and improving the likelihood of employment.”

Geographic Focus: Strong preference for charities working with disadvantaged young people in London, particularly in the City of London and surrounding communities.

Measurable Impact: The Trust explicitly seeks to support “disadvantaged individuals for a clear purpose and measurable impact.” Applications should include clear metrics and outcomes.

Financial Services Connection: Given the Trust's objective to support “vocational training in the financial services industry,” programmes that help young people access careers in banking, finance, or professional services in the City are particularly aligned.

Sustainability and Scale: Relationship charities demonstrate proven track records and capacity for impact. Programmes with evidence of effectiveness are favoured.

Evidence-Based Programmes: Funded charities deliver structured, well-designed interventions. Applications should demonstrate programme quality and effectiveness.

Age Focus: Priority on young people, particularly those in care, from low-income families, or with barriers to accessing education and professional careers.

Specific Examples of Funded Work:

• Sport-based mentoring for life skills development
• Financial literacy teaching in schools
• Employability programmes connecting young people to City employers
• Support for care leavers developing financial skills
• Leadership development for young people in East London

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Start small, build relationships: New charities typically receive grants up to £1,000, with larger awards considered once relationships are established. Focus on demonstrating impact to grow the partnership over time.

• Emphasise London youth development: The Trust's “particular focus is to positively impact underprivileged young people in London.” Applications serving this demographic have the strongest alignment.

• Connect to financial services: Projects that build pathways to careers in banking, finance, or the City of London professional sector align with the Trust's core mission of supporting “vocational training in the financial services industry.”

• Demonstrate measurable outcomes: The Trust explicitly seeks “measurable impact.” Include clear metrics, success rates, and evidence of programme effectiveness in your application.

• Leverage the “Pitch Your Charity” route: If you have connections to WCIB members, encourage them to propose your charity through this initiative, which awards £2,000 grants.

• Consider the timing: With grants made annually and the Court meeting four times per year, plan your application timing to align with the organisation's decision-making cycle. Contact the Clerk's office to understand current deadlines.

• Highlight financial literacy and employability: These are explicitly stated priorities. Projects teaching money management, career skills, or raising aspirations for professional employment are strongly aligned.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Worshipful Company Of Insurers Charitable Trust
• Chartered Accountants' Livery Charity
• The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation - London Division
• The Tom Ap Rhys Pryce Memorial Trust
• The Innholders' Charitable Foundation
• The John Armitage Charitable Trust
• Eversheds Sutherland (international) Charitable Trust
• Man Group Plc Charitable Trust
• The Brickability Group Foundation
• The Tobacco Pipe Makers And Tobacco Trade Benevolent Fund

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: The International Bankers Charitable Trust (1087630) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1087630&subid=0

• The International Bankers Charitable Trust webpage - https://www.internationalbankers.org.uk/the-international-bankers-charitable-trust-ibct

• Worshipful Company of International Bankers: Charity & Education - https://internationalbankers.org.uk/charity&education

• Worshipful Company of International Bankers: Governance - https://internationalbankers.org.uk/thecompany/governance

• WCIB Blog: First 'Pitch your charity' grants awarded - https://internationalbankers.org.uk/blog/first-pitch-your-charity-grants-awarded

• Wikipedia: Worshipful Company of International Bankers - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worshipful_Company_of_International_Bankers