The Merchant Venturers Charity

Charity Number: 264302

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £447,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available (100+ grants awarded annually)
  • Decision Time: Quarterly meetings in January, April, July, and October
  • Grant Range: £500 - £5,000 (occasional higher awards)
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Bristol area (Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire)

Contact Details

Address:

Society of Merchant Venturers

Merchants' Hall

The Promenade

Clifton

Bristol

BS8 3NH

Phone: 0117 973 8058

Email: enquiries@merchantventurers.com

Website: www.merchantventurers.com

Grant Application Information: Available on the website with downloadable application form and guidance documents

Overview

The Merchant Venturers Charity was registered with the Charity Commission on 16 August 1972 and operates as a trust under the governance of the Society of Merchant Venturers, a historic Bristol-based institution. The charity's purpose is to enhance the quality of life for all, particularly the young, aged and disadvantaged; to promote learning and the acquisition of skills by supporting education; to actively support community activity; and to help preserve open spaces and heritage.

With annual expenditure of approximately £447,000 (2023), the charity distributes around £250,000 annually in direct grants to charities and organizations across Greater Bristol. In recent years, their grants have directly supported over 23,800 people through funding to more than 100 organizations annually. The charity works in partnership with Quartet Community Foundation, relying on their expertise and on-the-ground knowledge to help direct charitable giving where it's needed most. The experienced team at Quartet helps ensure that grants are making a real difference in communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £500 - £5,000 (with occasional higher awards)

  • Available to registered charities and organizations with charitable purposes
  • Application deadlines quarterly (meetings in January, April, July, October)
  • Application form and guidance available on website
  • Grants can be used for revenue costs, project costs, and capital appeals

The Edmonds and Coles Scholarships: £100 - £1,000

  • Educational grants for students
  • Separate application process from main grant programme
  • Managed by the charity

Priority Areas

The charity actively funds projects across five key sectors:

  • Social Needs: Supporting disadvantaged communities and addressing social welfare issues
  • Youth: Programs and activities for young people, including mentoring and skills development
  • Education: Learning initiatives, training programmes, and educational equipment
  • Environment: Environmental projects and preservation of open spaces
  • Healthcare: Health-related services and support programmes

Additional areas of support include:

  • Social enterprise development
  • Culture and the arts
  • Projects benefiting Greater Bristol's economic development

Recent Grant Examples:

  • Windmill Hill City Farm: £5,000 for redevelopment of former car park into community garden
  • Crisis Centre Ministries: £3,145 for homeless services and drug addiction support including drop-in centre with free meals
  • The Wheels Project: £2,500 for Community Vehicle Programme inspiring young people through motor vehicle training
  • Bristol Refugee Rights: £2,500 for drop-in services and welfare support for asylum seekers
  • RE:Work: £2,000 for furniture upcycling project providing work experience to unemployed adults and young people
  • Great Western Air Ambulance Charity: £1,000 towards helicopter running costs
  • Lifeskills Learning for Living: £1,000 for children's programme at interactive village

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in available materials, organizations should note:

  • Applicants must be based and working in Greater Bristol region (Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire)
  • Organizations must demonstrate charitable purposes
  • National organizations without strong local Bristol connection unlikely to be prioritized
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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership (2024):

  • Master: Jonathon Baker
  • Senior Warden: Katharine Finn
  • Junior Warden: Laura Marshall
  • Chief Executive: Caroline Duckworth DL
  • Charity Sub-Committee Chair: Chris Patterson (quoted in materials as Chair of SMV Charity Committee)

The Society operates with approximately 80 members representing various industries who contribute over 10,500 voluntary hours annually as committee members, school governors, and trustees. Leadership roles rotate annually, with elections held on Charter Day in November. The Charity Sub-Committee comprises members who meet quarterly to review and decide on grant applications.

Chris Patterson, Chair of SMV Charity Committee, states: "SMV's purpose, helping communities thrive, recognises the great work being done by individuals and communities themselves to overcome disadvantage."

The charity is governed through 16 committees and sub-committees that oversee SMV's work across five main areas: education, care for older people, charitable giving, social enterprise, and managing the Downs. The Standing Committee functions as the board of directors and maintains declarations of interest from members annually.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted using the official grant application form available for download from the SMV website at merchantventurers.com. The application process requires:

Required Documents:

  • Completed grant application form
  • Copy of organization's constitution/governing document/set of rules
  • Contact details of at least 3 members of management committee/board of trustees/directors
  • Copy of bank statement or evidence of bank account in organization's name (requires at least two signatories)
  • Copy of most recent annual accounts or financial records showing balance of funds, income and expenditure
  • Copy of safeguarding policy (if working directly with children or vulnerable adults)

Submission Method: Email completed application form to enquiries@merchantventurers.com

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Organizations need not be registered charities but must have charitable purposes
  • Must have a management committee comprising at least three unrelated people
  • Must have a set of rules under which the organization operates
  • Must have a bank account in the organization's name with at least two signatories
  • Must be based and working in Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset, North Somerset, or South Gloucestershire

Decision Timeline

The Charity Sub-Committee meets four times per year to consider funding applications:

  • January (typical deadline: early January)
  • April (typical deadline: early April)
  • July (typical deadline: early July)
  • October (typical deadline: early October)

Decision timelines are not publicly specified, but organizations should expect to hear within 4-8 weeks following the quarterly committee meeting. Applicants are encouraged to check the website for specific upcoming deadlines.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, the charity awards 100+ grants annually from their charitable giving budget of approximately £250,000. This suggests a relatively accessible grant programme for small to medium-sized requests within their funding priorities.

Reapplication Policy

The charity's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly specified in available materials. Organizations considering reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt should contact the charity directly at enquiries@merchantventurers.com for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the charity's stated priorities and approach:

Alignment with Strategic Purpose:

  • Projects must clearly demonstrate how they enhance quality of life, particularly for the young, aged, and disadvantaged
  • Applications showing direct community impact will be prioritized
  • The charity values projects that help communities overcome disadvantage through their own efforts

Geographic Connection:

  • Strong connection to Greater Bristol essential - demonstrate local presence and understanding
  • Projects benefiting Bristol's economic development alongside social impact may be particularly appealing
  • Evidence of working with local communities and understanding specific Bristol-area needs

Clear Outcomes:

  • With 100+ grants supporting 23,800+ people annually, the charity clearly tracks reach and impact
  • Applications should specify the number of beneficiaries and measurable outcomes
  • Demonstrate value for money within the £500-£5,000 grant range

Partnership Approach:

  • The charity's partnership with Quartet Community Foundation suggests they value collaborative working
  • Organizations demonstrating connections with other local groups or funders may strengthen applications
  • Evidence of sustainable approach beyond one-off grant funding

Practical Focus:

  • Recent grants show support for tangible items and clear purposes (equipment, vehicles, building improvements, running costs)
  • Applications for books, equipment, training materials, or travel costs specifically mentioned as suitable
  • Both revenue and capital appeals considered

Organizational Capacity:

  • Must demonstrate proper governance (minimum three unrelated committee members)
  • Financial management capability (proper accounts, bank account with two signatories)
  • Safeguarding policies in place where relevant

Attention to Detail:

  • “Applications cannot be processed unless you have answered every question” - completeness critical
  • All required supporting documents must be provided
  • Follow application guidance precisely

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Quarterly deadlines mean strategic timing - plan applications around January, April, July, or October committee meetings for timely decisions
  • Small grant size is strength not limitation - with typical grants of £500-£5,000, this funder is ideal for equipment, training, project costs, and specific interventions rather than core salaries
  • Geographic focus is non-negotiable - must operate in Greater Bristol area (Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire); demonstrate strong local roots and knowledge
  • Partnership with Quartet Community Foundation matters - alignment with Quartet's approach and potentially existing relationship with them could strengthen applications
  • Documentation completeness is essential - incomplete applications cannot be processed; ensure all required documents are submitted together
  • Impact metrics strengthen cases - with grants supporting 23,800+ people annually, demonstrate your contribution to measurable community impact
  • Multiple funding areas welcome - projects touching several priority areas (e.g., youth + education, or social needs + healthcare) may be particularly aligned with their holistic approach to community thriving

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References