The Plumbers Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £47,882 (2024)
• Historic Range: £28,000 - £156,000 (varies annually)
• Grant Range: £1,000 (bursaries) - amounts vary for charitable grants
• Geographic Focus: England, Wales, and international (Ghana, Nepal, Philippines, The Gambia, Yemen, Cambodia)
• Application Method: Contact-based (no open application portal)
• Charity Number: 800043

Contact Details

Address: The Worshipful Company of Plumbers, Painter Stainers Hall, 9 Little Trinity Lane, London, EC4V 2AD

Email: clerk@plumberscompany.org.uk

Phone: 020 7628 8880

Website: https://www.plumberscompany.org.uk/our-company/charity/the-plumbers-charity/

Clerk: Debbie Abergil (primary contact for charitable inquiries)

Office Hours: 9am-5pm, Monday to Wednesday

Overview

The Plumbers Charity is the philanthropic arm of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, one of the ancient Livery Companies of the City of London (granted Ordinances in 1365, royal charter in 1611). The charity operates under the mantra “Better Plumbers, Better Plumbing, Better Health, Better Lives” and focuses on changing lives through three main streams: supporting plumbing education and training, promoting the craft of plumbing (including provision of clean water, sanitation, public health, and community welfare), and making grants to charities connected with the City of London. The charity has a distinctive dual focus, combining support for the UK plumbing profession with international water and sanitation projects. Income fluctuates significantly year-to-year, ranging from approximately £28,000 to £156,000 historically, with the 2024 income reported at £47,882. The charity is governed by an independent board of nine trustees appointed by the Court of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Bursaries for Apprentices

• £1,000 per award (approximately 6 awards annually)
• Awarded as vouchers for toolbox equipment from Monument Tools
• Sponsored in partnership with Monument Tools and City & Guilds
• Running for over 20 years

International Water & Sanitation Projects

Grant amounts vary by project; recent partnerships include:

• Just a Drop (Cambodia): 45 biosand filters providing safe water to 200 people in Ta Tork and Trapeang Svey villages
• Dolma Foundation (Nepal): Clean water projects
• Village Water (Zambia and Mozambique)
• WaterAid (Rwanda)
• Village by Village (Ghana)

UK Charitable Organizations

Grant amounts not publicly specified; recent beneficiaries include:

• Providence Row (homeless support in London)
• CRASH (construction charity supporting homeless services)
• Medical Detection Dogs (ongoing sponsorship of “Plum”)
• Aquabox (disaster relief)
• City Harvest
• Rainy Day Trust (supporting plumbing apprentices in hardship)

City of London Connected Charities

• Providence Row receives the annual collection from the Plumbers' Ladle Dinner each November
• Approximately 15% of Providence Row's clients come from the City of London

Priority Areas

Education and Training

• Plumbing apprenticeships (specifically those progressing from Level 2 to Level 3)
• Vocational education programs
• Support for students facing financial hardship
• Equipment and tools for apprentices
• Sponsorship of industry competitions (HIP Learner of the Year, Female Skills Competitions)

Water, Sanitation and Public Health

• Clean water access in developing nations
• Sanitation infrastructure projects
• Hygiene education programs
• Community-based water solutions
• Disaster relief related to water crises

Community Welfare

• Homelessness support
• Disability services (e.g., schools like Treloar's for students with severe physical disabilities, Mary Hare School for the deaf)
• Medical detection and assistance programs
• Food security initiatives

City of London Connected Causes

• Charities serving City of London residents or workers
• Organizations aligned with livery company traditions

What They Don't Fund

Explicit exclusions are not published, but based on their stated mission, the charity focuses specifically on:

• Plumbing-related education and welfare
• Water and sanitation projects
• City of London connected causes

Organizations outside these areas are unlikely to be considered.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (Charitable and Educational Trust Committee)

The charity is governed by an independent board of nine trustees appointed by the Court of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers:

• David Adams (Past Master)
• Michael Cooper (Renter Warden)
• James Dalton (Liveryman)
• Jamie Fisher (Liveryman)
• Stephen Hodkinson (Past Master)
• Carol Joseph (Liveryman)
• John Mager (Liveryman)
• Damon Reynolds (Court Assistant)
• Clive Sofaer (Past Steward)

Current Master (2024-2025)

Charles Brooks serves as Master of the Worshipful Company, with a focus on fellowship, industry engagement, and youth development. Under his tenure, the charity has expanded international water projects and strengthened partnerships with disability-focused educational institutions.

Technical & Education Committee Chair

Julie Spinks oversees the bursary scheme. She has noted: “We are delighted that our annual Bursary Awards continue to go from strength to strength.”

Key Decision-Making Authority

Trustees have discretionary power to “pay or apply the income to such charitable institutions, objects or purposes as they shall in their absolute discretion think fit.” With written consent from the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, they can also apply capital from the trust fund.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Apprentice Bursaries:

Applications open annually in early January with specific closing dates (historically mid to late January). Students must apply online, by post, or email with:

• Reference from lecturer or employer
• Proof of Level 2 MES (Plumbing) completion
• Evidence of registration for Level 3 MES (Plumbing) or equivalent

Winners are announced on World Plumbing Day (March 11).

For Charitable Organizations:

There is no open application portal. Organizations wishing to be considered for grants should:

1. Contact the Clerk at clerk@plumberscompany.org.uk
2. Submit a partnership proposal that clearly aligns with the charity's mission
3. Demonstrate connection to plumbing, water/sanitation, or the City of London

The charity follows the livery company model where “A small number of well researched and tailor made applications are far more likely to succeed than a wide ranging non-targeted letter.”

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines for organizational grants are not published. Following standard livery company practices, trustees typically meet quarterly, though the exact schedule for The Plumbers Charity is not publicly confirmed.

For bursary awards:

• Applications: Early to mid-January
• Notification: February
• Public announcement: March (World Plumbing Day)

Success Rates

Success rates for organizational grants are not published. For the apprentice bursary scheme, approximately 6 awards are made annually from an unpublished number of applications.

Reapplication Policy

No formal policy is published. Given the discretionary nature of grant-making, unsuccessful applicants should contact the Clerk to discuss if and when reapplication would be appropriate.

Application Success Factors

For Apprentice Bursaries

Strong References: Applications require a reference from a lecturer or employer demonstrating commitment and potential in the plumbing profession.

Clear Educational Progression: Applicants must show completion of Level 2 and active enrollment in Level 3 qualifications, demonstrating serious commitment to the profession.

Financial Need: While not explicitly stated, the scheme is designed for students who “would benefit from financial help to complete their training,” suggesting financial hardship is a consideration.

For Organizational Grant Applicants

Mission Alignment: Proposals must clearly connect to one or more of the charity's three core areas: plumbing education/training, water/sanitation/public health, or City of London charities.

Specific Projects Over General Operating: Recent funding examples (biosand filters, school visits, specific disaster relief) suggest preference for defined projects with measurable outcomes.

Connection to the Craft of Plumbing: The charity's historical mission to uphold plumbing standards and the profession means organizations that can demonstrate how their work connects to plumbing trades, clean water, or sanitation have stronger applications.

Partnership Approach: Successful beneficiaries often have ongoing relationships with the charity (e.g., annual Providence Row collection, continued sponsorship of Medical Detection Dog). This suggests relationship-building is valued.

International Water Projects: For international work, focus on sustainable community-based solutions. The charity has supported projects providing biosand filters, community wells, and sanitation infrastructure rather than short-term interventions.

City of London Connection: For non-plumbing/water-related charities, demonstrating service to City of London residents, workers, or communities significantly strengthens applications (e.g., 15% of Providence Row's clients are from the City).

Clear Impact Metrics: Successful projects specify beneficiary numbers (e.g., “200 people with safe water”) and tangible outputs (e.g., “45 biosand filters installed”).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact Before Applying: With no open application process, initial contact with the Clerk to discuss alignment is essential before submitting a full proposal.

• Three Clear Pathways: Focus proposals on plumbing education/training, water/sanitation/public health projects, or demonstrated connection to the City of London.

• Build Relationships: The charity favors ongoing partnerships over one-off grants. Consider starting with smaller asks or collaborative projects to establish trust.

• Demonstrate Plumbing Connection: Even for non-water projects, showing how your work connects to the craft of plumbing, trades training, or the profession's values strengthens applications.

• Prepare for Variable Income: The charity's annual giving fluctuates significantly (£28k-£156k historically). Be flexible about timing and grant amounts.

• Leverage Livery Company Networks: Understanding livery company culture and potentially securing introductions through members can help organizations get on the charity's radar.

• Emphasize Tangible Outcomes: Successful projects specify exact numbers of beneficiaries and measurable deliverables rather than broad goals.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Paviors' Charity
• The Horners Charity Fund
• The Water Conservation Trust
• The Innholders' Charitable Foundation
• Chartered Accountants' Livery Charity
• TALLOW CHANDLERS BENEVOLENT FUND NO 2
• Makers of Playing Cards Charity
• Worshipful Company of Insurers Charitable Trust
• The International Bankers Charitable Trust
• Mitchell City of London Charity

References

1. The Plumbers Charity official website: https://www.plumberscompany.org.uk/our-company/charity/the-plumbers-charity/

1. Charity Commission Register - The Plumbers Charity (800043): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/800043

1. NGO Explorer - The Plumbers Charity financial data: https://ngoexplorer.org/charity/800043

1. Just a Drop partnership page: https://www.justadrop.org/partners/the-plumbers-charity/

1. Worshipful Company of Plumbers - 2024 Bursary Scheme: https://www.plumberscompany.org.uk/the-company-opens-its-2024-bursary-scheme/

1. CIPHE - 2024 Bursary winners announcement: https://www.ciphe.org.uk/news-and-advice/press-releases/wcop-bursaries-2024/

1. Worshipful Company of Plumbers - Annual Review 2024: https://plumberscompany.org.uk/annual-review-2024-the-worshipful-company-of-plumbers/

1. Worshipful Company of Plumbers - Medical Detection Dog Plum: https://www.plumberscompany.org.uk/plum-sponsored-medicaldetection-dog/

1. Worshipful Company of Plumbers - Providence Row visit: https://plumberscompany.org.uk/visit-to-providence-row/

1. Livery Committee - Applications to charitable trusts guidance: https://liverycommittee.org/charities-and-education/charities/applications-charitable-trusts/