The Shipwrights Charitable Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £397,422 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: £3,000-£20,000 for organisations; Billmeir Awards £200-£2,000 for individuals
• Geographic Focus: UK, with emphasis on City of London

Contact Details

• Website: www.shipwrights.co.uk
• Phone: 020 7606 2376
• Email: clerk@shipwrights.co.uk
• Address: Ironmongers' Hall, Shaftesbury Place, Barbican, London EC2Y 8AA

Overview

Established under Trust Deeds in 1948 and 1970, The Shipwrights Charitable Fund is the charitable arm of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights. With total annual expenditure of £397,422 and income of £431,064 (2024), the Fund focuses on supporting maritime projects, the City of London, and ministering authorities, with particular emphasis on young people. The charity operates through 9 trustees and 120 volunteers, maintaining a strong philanthropic purpose centred around maritime education, training, and youth development through water-based activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Based on recent awards identified:

• Youth Maritime Programmes: Major grants to established organisations such as £20,000 to Tall Ships Youth Trust enabling 160 young people to participate in voyages
• Maritime Training Support: Billmeir Award Scheme providing £200 to £2,000 for apprenticeships and boat building courses - typically £17,750 distributed across twelve applicants from five schools or boatbuilding colleges
• Sea Cadets Support: Annual grants including £13,000 to Marine Society and Sea Cadets for national distribution, and £3,000 to City of London Sea Cadets
• Sail Training Bursaries: Direct support for young people to access sail training opportunities through Tall Ships Youth Trust, Jubilee Sailing Trust, and Ocean Youth Trust Scotland
• Educational Awards: Support for naval and marine engineering students, including annual bursaries at Newcastle University for Marine Technology undergraduates

Priority Areas

• Maritime education and training, particularly for young people
• Sail training and water-based youth activities
• Support for disadvantaged young people through maritime experiences
• Naval and marine engineering education
• Maritime apprenticeships and boat building courses
• Sea Cadets and Sea Scouts organisations
• Armed Forces maritime charities

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in available documentation

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Governance and Leadership

The Fund is governed by 9 trustees who oversee the charitable activities of this historic Worshipful Company. The charity is supported by 120 volunteers and maintains its administration through the Clerk's office at Ironmongers' Hall. The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights maintains a strong philanthropic purpose as part of its core mission, with the Master and Wardens playing key roles in charitable decision-making.

How to Apply to The Shipwrights Charitable Fund

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted via the Responsive Donations form available on the Shipwrights website, accompanied by a covering letter or email addressed to the Clerk. Organisations should include their latest report and accounts. Applications are considered by the Education and Charity Committee through a screening process.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented

Application Success Factors

Based on recent grant recipients, successful organisations typically:

• Focus specifically on maritime or water-based activities
• Demonstrate clear benefits for young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged
• Have established track records in maritime education or training
• Align closely with the Company's focus on shipbuilding, naval heritage, and maritime skills
• Show how funding will directly impact young people's access to maritime opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Fund operates a Responsive Donations application process through the Clerk's office
• Strong emphasis on youth development through maritime activities is critical for alignment
• Recent grants vary widely in size, from small Billmeir Awards (£200-£2,000 for individual students) to substantial organisational grants (£20,000 for major programmes)
• Organisations with established maritime credentials and youth programmes appear most successful
• The Fund particularly values projects that provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people
• Connection to the City of London or maritime heritage may strengthen proposals

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Whirlwind Charitable Trust
• The Rya Foundation
• The Gosling Foundation Limited
• The Fishmongers' Company's Fisheries Charitable Trust
• The Honourable Company Of Master Mariners And Howard Leopold Davis Charity
• Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation
• Reardon Smith Nautical Trust
• The Corporation Of Trinity House Of Deptford Strond
• The Royal Navy And Royal Marines Charity
• The Sir John Fisher Foundation

References

• The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights official website (www.shipwrights.co.uk)
• Charity Commission Register entry for The Shipwrights Charitable Fund (Charity Number 262043)
• News section of Shipwrights website documenting recent grants