The Silver Lady Fund Incorporating The All Night Travelling Cafe

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £156,205 (2024 expenditure)
• Annual Income: £188,061 (2024)
• Founded: 1880
• Grant Range: Varies by program - individuals and organizations
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales (UK and international projects)
• Eligibility: Organizations with annual income under £500,000
• Application Method: No public application process - vetted professional network only

Contact Details

Website: www.silverladyfund.org

Email: info@silverladyfund.org

Phone: 01424 775189

Address: 23 St Leonards Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN40 1HH

Charity Number: 245657

Overview

The Silver Lady Fund was founded in 1880 by Reverend Michael Paget Baxter and his wife in London's East End, initially providing food to hungry people. The charity takes its name from Miss Violet Elizabeth (Betty) Paget Baxter, the founders' granddaughter, who became known as the “Silver Lady” due to her silver hair and practice of leaving coins for those in need. After Miss Baxter's death in 1972, Robert McPherson took over as Executive Director, succeeded by his son Keith. In 2008, the charity restructured to expand its reach internationally. With over 140 years of history, the Fund has supported 219 projects and impacted 758,100 lives. The charity operates with both capital and revenue grants, focusing on addressing root causes of poverty while providing emergency relief. Both UK-based and international projects are supported, with the first international project launching in Madagascar in 2011. The charity merged the Elizabeth Baxter Hostel back into its operations in 2014.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Gifts in Kind (Individual and Family Grants)

• Direct grants to individuals and families in need
• Described as "one of the most direct and effective ways of making a real difference in people's lives"
• Have helped thousands of individuals and families
• Example: £700 awarded to a young father with 3 primary school age children who had been returned to his care after experiencing abuse abroad

2. Project-Based and Ongoing Initiatives

• Both UK and international projects supported
• Capital and revenue grants considered
• Focus on projects with sustainability and long-term impact
• Preference for unique projects that are “harder to attract funding from other donors”
• Support includes homeless services, education, health, and infrastructure
• Example projects:
• Project Magnampy: Water and sanitation initiative in Madagascar (serving areas where 65% lack clean water and only 14% have safe sanitation)
• Drop-in centres for homeless and rough sleepers
• Counsellor funding in women's prisons
• Annual Christmas meals for homeless individuals

3. Seed or Development Funding

• Support for new charities or those undergoing development
• Must demonstrate “strong likelihood of operating independently”
• Enables "positive change that wouldn't otherwise have been possible"
• Startup organizations considered if they match the charity's aims

4. Personalized Giving

• Facilitates connections between individual/corporate donors and specific projects
• Helps donors make targeted, meaningful contributions

Priority Areas

• Prevention or relief of poverty
• Homelessness support and transitional housing
• International sustainable development
• Education and basic health
• Emergency crisis support
• Building long-term resilience for vulnerable populations
• Aspiration, income generation, education, and health opportunities

Geographic Scope

• UK: Throughout England and Wales
• International: Focus on developing countries (notably Madagascar and other regions affected by climate change)

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not detailed, the fund has clear criteria:

• Organizations with annual income over £500,000
• Unsolicited applications (applications must come through vetted professional networks)
• Projects that don't align with poverty alleviation, homelessness, or support for vulnerable populations

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Governance and Leadership

Historical Leadership:

• Founded by Reverend Michael Paget Baxter and his wife (1880)
• Led by Miss Violet Elizabeth (Betty) Paget Baxter until 1972
• Robert McPherson (Executive Director from 1972)
• Keith McPherson (succeeded his father Robert)

Current Structure:

• Governed by trustees who oversee the charity's work
• Trustees receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• Trustees personally support and monitor projects both in the UK and internationally
• Trustees vet and approve the network of professional organizations through which applications are made

Approach:

The fund describes itself as aiming to be “reflexive and supportive donors” who establish close links with funded projects and provide personalized attention.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: This funder does not have a public application process.

According to the charity's website: “No unsolicited applications will be considered – all applications are made through a network of professional organisations that will be vetted by the Trustees.”

What This Means:

• You cannot apply directly to The Silver Lady Fund
• Applications must be submitted through their pre-approved network of professional organizations
• The specific professional organizations in this network are not publicly listed
• The trustees personally vet organizations before they can submit applications on behalf of potential beneficiaries

Eligibility Requirements (for organizations applying through the vetted network):

• Charitable organizations in the UK or overseas
• Annual income less than £500,000
• Focus on vulnerable populations, emergency crisis support, poverty reduction, or building resilience
• Must align with the Fund's Vision, Mission, and Aims
• Both capital and revenue grant requests considered
• Startup or developing organizations considered if they match the charity's aims

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timeline information is publicly available. Given the personalized approach and trustee involvement in vetting and reviewing applications, timelines likely vary by project and application route.

Success Rates

No publicly available information on success rates or number of applications received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

No specific information available regarding reapplication policies or restrictions for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Since this funder operates through a vetted professional network rather than accepting public applications, success factors center on alignment with their values and approach:

Key Alignment Factors:

1. Sustainability and Impact: The fund states that “any poverty alleviation project should address sustainability and impact, whether focusing on education, basic health or any other building block out of poverty.” Projects must demonstrate long-term thinking, not just short-term relief.

1. Unique or Hard-to-Fund Projects: The charity explicitly prefers “unique projects that are harder to attract funding from other donors” - they aim to fill gaps that mainstream funders might overlook.

1. Direct Impact: The fund values direct interventions that make "a real difference in people's lives" - they emphasize tangible outcomes over administrative programs.

1. Root Causes Focus: Aligns with organizations that “address the root causes of poverty while reducing its impacts” - not just treating symptoms.

1. Small to Medium Organizations: The £500,000 annual income limit shows preference for smaller organizations where their funding can make proportionally larger impact.

1. Areas of Historical Focus: Given their 140+ year history, they maintain strong interest in homelessness support, including “support for people making the transition into independent living.”

What They're Looking For:

• Organizations serving vulnerable populations with dignity
• Projects building long-term resilience, not just providing temporary relief
• Work in areas of aspiration, income generation, education, and health
• Both emergency response and sustainable development approaches

Their Philosophy:

The fund believes that “small gestures can have big impacts” and emphasizes establishing “personal links” between donors and projects - suggesting they value close relationships and hands-on involvement over arms-length grant-making.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Direct Applications: You cannot apply directly - you must work through their vetted professional network. If you're not already connected, this funder may not be accessible to you at this time.

• Small Organization Focus: With a £500,000 income ceiling for applicants, this funder specifically targets smaller charities where their grants can make meaningful proportional impact.

• Poverty and Homelessness Core Mission: After 140+ years, their focus remains consistent - poverty alleviation and homelessness support are central to their identity, making these the strongest alignment areas.

• Sustainability Over Quick Fixes: They explicitly prioritize projects addressing “root causes” and demonstrating “sustainability and impact” - short-term relief programs are less likely to align.

• Fill Funding Gaps: They prefer “unique projects that are harder to attract funding from other donors” - if mainstream funders are likely to support your work, this may not be the right fit.

• Both UK and International: Despite being UK-based, they support international projects (particularly in developing countries affected by poverty and climate change), so overseas work is within scope.

• Personalized Approach: With trustees personally vetting networks and establishing close project links, this is a relationship-based funder - expect hands-on involvement if funded.

References

1. The Silver Lady Fund official website - Homepage. https://www.silverladyfund.org/

1. The Silver Lady Fund - Charitable Grants page. https://www.silverladyfund.org/grants/

1. The Silver Lady Fund - How We Work. https://www.silverladyfund.org/work/

1. The Silver Lady Fund - History. https://www.silverladyfund.org/about-us/history/

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Silver Lady Fund Incorporating The All Night Travelling Cafe (Charity No. 245657). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=245657&subid=0

1. Charity Commission - What, Who, How, Where details for Charity 245657. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/245657/what-who-how-where

1. Brighton & Hove Museums - Violet 'Betty' Baxter - Soup Kitchen Pioneer. https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/discovery/history-stories/violet-betty-baxter-soup-kitchen-pioneer/