The Trades House Of Glasgow

Charity Number: CUSTOM_C0F27E03

Annual Expenditure: £0.9M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £926,319 (2023-24)
  • Success Rate: Approximately 45% for Commonweal Fund (81 of ~180 applications)
  • Decision Time: 8-12 weeks depending on fund
  • Grant Range: £500 - £5,000+ (varies by fund)
  • Geographic Focus: Glasgow and surrounding areas (postcode-specific)

Contact Details

Address: Trades Hall, 85 Glassford Street, Glasgow, G1 1HU

Phone: 0141 553 1605

Email: info@tradeshouse.org.uk

Primary Contact for Applications: Katrina Tilston (katrina.tilston@tradeshouse.org.uk)

Website: www.tradeshouse.org.uk

Overview

The Trades House of Glasgow, first constituted in 1605, is one of Scotland's oldest charitable institutions. Registered as a charity (SC040548) in 2009, it manages funds in excess of £18 million. In 2023-24, the House contributed £536,106 and the 14 ancient Incorporated Trades contributed £390,213, distributing total awards of £926,319 to charitable causes across the West of Scotland. The organization operates through seven distinct charitable funds supporting educational initiatives and individuals or organizations facing hardship. Led by a seven-member Platform governance structure, the charity focuses on social improvement, education advancement, child welfare, youth development, and relief for those in need throughout Greater Glasgow.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Commonweal Fund (Organizations/Charities)

  • Grants totaling £180,852 awarded to 81 organizations in 2023-24
  • Average grant: approximately £2,234
  • Application method: Email or post submission
  • Meetings: March and September annually
  • Fixed deadlines with presentation evenings for successful applicants

Relief Fund (Individuals)

  • For individuals facing financial hardship
  • Rolling applications with bi-monthly committee meetings
  • Grants typically provided as direct purchases or vouchers rather than cash
  • Decision time: up to 12 weeks after home visit

Drapers' Fund (Children & Families)

  • Approximately £80,000 available annually
  • Supports children up to age 17 and their carers
  • Committee meets every 6-8 weeks
  • Applications must come through referring organizations, not individuals directly

Education Fund (Students)

  • Maximum award: £500 per successful application
  • Annual deadline (September 2025 deadline: 19th September)
  • Committee meeting: October
  • Cannot reapply for minimum 12 months if successful

Kinship Care Initiative

  • Supports children in kinship care arrangements and their carers
  • Over 2,000 children in kinship care in Glasgow
  • Grant amounts not publicly specified

Coats Foundation Trust

  • Small grants for aged/vulnerable persons, education (textile priority), social welfare
  • Education: maximum amount not specified; covers course materials and fees only
  • Hardship fund exclusively for Coats UK Pension Scheme members

MacFarlane Trust

  • Restricted fund administered by Trades House
  • Specific criteria not publicly detailed

Priority Areas

What They Actively Fund:

  • Child welfare programs
  • Social and moral training of youth
  • Educational advancement and scientific research
  • Social improvement initiatives
  • Relief of financial hardship for individuals
  • Projects for children in kinship care arrangements
  • Practical, business-like charitable projects
  • Small charities achieving specific objectives
  • Staff training costs for designated project delivery
  • Building work/disability access equipment directly related to projects
  • Vehicles for transporting beneficiaries or emergency equipment

What They Don't Fund

Commonweal Fund excludes:

  • Political, municipal, or ecclesiastical purposes
  • Operating costs or general staff costs
  • Property costs (except project-specific fitting out, disability access, or building work)
  • Premise hire expenses
  • Staff vehicle costs, maintenance, and insurance
  • Vehicle purchases (except for beneficiary transport, emergency equipment, or medical supplies)
  • Charities duplicating existing services
  • Organizations with national purposes or large running surpluses

Relief Fund excludes:

  • Everyday expenses
  • Rent or rent arrears
  • Council tax or arrears
  • Utilities or arrears
  • Funeral costs (rarely considered)
  • Holidays
  • Items/services the state legally provides
  • Cosmetic repairs

Drapers' Fund excludes:

  • Rent/arrears
  • Council tax/arrears
  • Funeral costs
  • Household bills
  • Holidays
  • Council-mandated provisions
  • Cosmetic repairs
  • State-provided treatments
  • Support for individuals with active substance dependencies

Education Fund excludes:

  • Private school fees chosen by parents
  • Postgraduate courses (except undergraduate-to-university progressions)
  • Course costs or living expenses
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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership (The Platform)

Deacon Convener: Rev Tom Pollock - Glasgow-born Church of Scotland minister with extensive social project experience, previously Moderator of the Presbytery of Glasgow. As Deacon Convener, he serves as the third citizen of Glasgow after the Lord Provost and Lord Dean of Guild.

Collector: Beverly Bergman OBE - Physician with 20 years of organizational involvement and family connections dating to 1893. Awarded OBE for Services to Veterans; currently directs the Scottish Veterans Health Research Group.

Late Deacon Convener: Richard Paterson - 56-year veteran of the Scotch Whisky industry, awarded OBE in 2021 for contributions to the sector.

Chief Executive & Clerk: John Gilchrist

Governance Structure

The Platform comprises seven members serving consecutive one-year terms in rotating roles, providing institutional continuity while introducing fresh perspectives. A new member is elected annually. The organization comprises 64 representatives elected by the 14 ancient Incorporated Trades of Glasgow, operating under the Glasgow Trades House Order Confirmation Act 1920.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Commonweal Fund (Organizations):

  • Complete official application form
  • Submit via email or post to Katrina Tilston
  • Include evidence of charitable status
  • Provide details of current funding and its usage
  • Demonstrate projects are practical and business-like
  • Check postcode eligibility before applying
  • Next deadline: January 2, 2026 (for March 2026 meeting)

Relief Fund (Individuals):

  • Complete electronic application form (paper copies available)
  • Provide official proof of continuous 2-year residency in Glasgow/surrounding areas
  • Submit proof of right to remain in UK
  • For flooring: include quotation on supplier letterhead
  • Arrange own interpreter if needed

Drapers' Fund (Organizations for Children):

  • Organizations (not individuals) must apply electronically
  • Requires two authorized signatories
  • Must include organizational banking details
  • Referring organization supervises fund usage
  • Submit before closing dates for upcoming committee meetings

Education Fund (Students):

  • Download and complete application form
  • Submit by email or post
  • Provide proof of right to remain in UK
  • Deadline: September annually

Decision Timeline

Commonweal Fund:

  • Committee meets March and September
  • Successful applicants invited to presentation evening at Trades Hall
  • Approximately 3-4 months from deadline to decision

Relief Fund:

  • Applications reviewed within 28 days of receipt
  • Mandatory home visit required (three cancellations = automatic rejection)
  • Charities Committee meets bi-monthly
  • Total decision time: up to 12 weeks

Drapers' Fund:

  • Committee meets every 6-8 weeks
  • Must meet closing dates for consideration

Education Fund:

  • Annual deadline in September
  • Committee meets in October
  • Notification after committee meeting

Success Rates

Commonweal Fund: Approximately 45% success rate (81 grants awarded from an estimated 180+ applications in 2023-24)

Overall: £926,319 distributed across all funds to numerous beneficiaries in 2023-24

Reapplication Policy

Commonweal Fund: Successful applicants cannot reapply for minimum 2 years (must have 4 further committee meetings between applications). Unused grants must be returned.

Education Fund: Successfully funded applicants must wait minimum 12 months before reapplying.

Relief Fund: No specific reapplication restriction mentioned, though repeat applications likely assessed on individual circumstances.

Previous applicants: Coats Foundation Trust notes previous successful applicants cannot reapply.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Criteria

For Organizations (Commonweal Fund):

  • Demonstrate projects are “practical and business-like”
  • Show how current funds are being used effectively
  • Target small, specific charitable objectives rather than duplicating existing services
  • Focus on social improvement, child welfare, youth development, or educational advancement
  • Avoid large running surpluses
  • Complement rather than duplicate existing services
  • Show clear project outcomes
  • Be prepared to report on fund usage

For Individuals (Relief Fund):

  • Establish genuine need through mandatory home visit
  • Provide clear official documentation of 2-year continuous residency
  • Submit complete applications with all required proof
  • Cooperate with home visit scheduling
  • Request specific items/services (not general financial support)

For Children/Families (Drapers' Fund):

  • Apply through recognized organizations (social work, charities)
  • Demonstrate “great and urgent need”
  • Have organizational supervision of fund usage
  • Provide complete documentation from referring agency

For Students (Education Fund):

  • Demonstrate lack of necessary funds to complete studies
  • Priority for textile-related courses (Coats Foundation)
  • Show clear educational progression
  • Provide all required residency documentation

Geographic Requirement

All funds require applicants to verify eligibility through the supported postcode list. This is strictly enforced - applications from unsupported postcodes are rejected. The focus is Glasgow and immediately surrounding areas.

Language and Terminology

The organization uses traditional terminology reflecting its 419-year history:

  • “Good and pious uses”
  • “Commonweal of the Burgh”
  • “Relief of persons in conditions of need, hardship or distress”
  • “Social and moral training of youth”
  • “Practical and business-like” projects

When applying, align your language with their charitable objectives while providing modern, clear descriptions of your work.

Common Reasons for Rejection

  • Applications from outside supported postcodes
  • Organizations with large surpluses or national scope
  • Requests for operating costs, rent, utilities, or staff salaries
  • Duplicate services already well-provided in Glasgow
  • Political, municipal, or ecclesiastical purposes
  • Incomplete applications or missing documentation
  • Failed cooperation with home visits (for Relief Fund)
  • Reapplications within restricted timeframes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Geographic specificity is critical: Verify postcode eligibility before investing time in applications. This is a Glasgow-focused funder with strict geographic boundaries.
  1. Know your fund: The Trades House operates seven distinct funds with different purposes, criteria, and application processes. Choose the correct fund and follow its specific guidelines precisely.
  1. Small is beautiful: With average Commonweal grants around £2,234, this funder supports small charities achieving focused objectives. Target realistic funding requests aligned with their giving patterns.
  1. Evidence and transparency matter: Demonstrate financial responsibility, show how existing funds are used, and present projects as “practical and business-like.” Be prepared to report on outcomes.
  1. Two-year planning cycle: Successful Commonweal applicants cannot reapply for two years, so maximize the value of any grant and plan accordingly.
  1. Contact Katrina Tilston early: The primary contact for applications is accessible and can provide clarification on eligibility, criteria, and processes before you invest significant effort.
  1. Timing is everything: Commonweal Fund has two annual meetings (March/September) with specific deadlines. Plan submissions well in advance and attend presentation evenings if successful - these build relationships for future engagement.

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References

  • Financial data: “During 2023-24, The House contributed £536,106 and the Crafts contributed £390,213, giving total awards of £926,319 to charitable causes”
  • Commonweal Fund statistics: “The Commonweal Fund made grants of £180,852 (2023: £177,331) to 81 (2023: 85) organisations in the Glasgow area”