The Vintners' Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £464,848 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Up to 3 months (quarterly meetings)
• Grant Range: £3,000 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: Greater London (preferably Inner London)

Contact Details

Address: The Vintners' Company, Vintners' Hall, 68 Upper Thames Street, London EC4V 3BG

Phone: 020 7236 1863

Email: charity@vintnershall.co.uk

Website: www.vintnershall.co.uk

Overview

The Vintners' Foundation, established as the principal charitable vehicle of the Worshipful Company of Vintners (one of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies with its first Royal Charter in 1363), focuses on supporting charities addressing social issues in Greater London. With total expenditure of £464,848 in the financial year ending March 2024, the Foundation has evolved its strategy from solely funding charities concerned with alcohol abuse to embracing a broader approach that addresses the social consequences of alcohol misuse, including support for families and dependants of those affected, as well as preventative education for young people. The Foundation incorporates two older trusts: Vintners' Gifts Charity and the Vintners' Company Charitable Foundation. Supported by 14 volunteers and governed by the Vintners' Foundation Committee, the charity prioritizes smaller organizations where grants can make a meaningful difference.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Vintners' Foundation Grants: £3,000 - £5,000

• Rolling application basis with quarterly committee meetings (March, June, September, December)
• Applications submitted online only
• Applications received after a meeting deadline are considered at the next scheduled meeting

Fixed Annual Grants: Variable amounts

• The Committee makes various fixed annual grants to causes of particular importance to the Foundation
• Some charities receive longer-term support at higher levels

Priority Areas

The Foundation makes grants to:

• Social effects of alcohol misuse/abuse: Charities alleviating the social consequences of alcohol abuse, including support for families and dependants of abusers, and education to prevent young people from alcohol misuse
• Youth homelessness and disadvantage: Supporting young people who are homeless or disadvantaged by reasons of health, education, or poverty
• Education and training: Youth projects and designated educational establishments in London
• Relief of poverty: Charities concerned with relief of the poor and destitute in Greater London

The Foundation prefers applications for specific projects, though occasionally supports general running costs. It has a strong preference for smaller charities (by capital value) where grants are more likely to make a tangible difference.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Medical research
• Charities concerned with maintenance or restoration of buildings
• Independent education
• Projects primarily benefiting religious groups (unless open to the wider community)
• Charities outside Greater London
• Organizations established less than two years
• Previous applicants within a three-year period
• National charities unless the grant is specifically for Greater London activities

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Governance and Leadership

The Vintners' Foundation is governed by the Vintners' Company structure, led by:

Current Leadership:

• Master: Richard Wilson MBE DL VR
• Upper Warden: Ian Harris MBE
• Renter Warden: James Handford MW
• Swan Warden: James Davy
• The Clerk (Chief Executive): Jonathan Bourne-May

Decision-Making Structure:

The Company is governed by the Master, three Wardens, and a Court of Assistants, supported by specialist committees. All charity support, grants, and bursaries are decided and administered by either the Vintners' Foundation Committee or the Trade Liaison Committee. Committees comprise members of Court, the Livery, and certain staff members, with specialist skills utilized to enhance effectiveness. Committees are normally chaired by a Past Master who serves for no more than three years.

How to Apply to The Vintners' Foundation

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the online application form at www.vintnershall.co.uk/grant-application. Hard copy petitions are not accepted, as all agenda papers for the Vintners' Foundation Committee are now circulated electronically.

Required Documentation:

• Completed online application form
• Breakdown of the budget for the proposed project
• Charity's most recent audited accounts
• For national charities: demonstration that the grant will specifically benefit Greater London

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a registered charity
• Established for more than two years
• Working within Greater London (preferably Inner London)
• Cannot have applied within the previous three years

Decision Timeline

The Vintners' Foundation Committee meets quarterly, typically in March, June, September, and December. Applications received after a meeting's deadline will automatically be considered at the next scheduled meeting. Applicants will be notified of the decision after the committee has reviewed their application, typically within the quarter following submission (approximately 8-12 weeks).

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Foundation distributes approximately £464,848 annually in grants, with individual grants typically ranging from £3,000 to £5,000, suggesting they make approximately 90-150 grants per year across both their standard grants and fixed annual commitments.

Reapplication Policy

Strict three-year waiting period: Charities that have made a previous application cannot reapply within three years of their last submission, regardless of whether the previous application was successful or unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's published guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Smaller Charity Preference

The Committee explicitly states they “prefer smaller charities (by capital value), where grants are more likely to make a difference.” If you are a larger organization, emphasize how this specific grant will create disproportionate impact in a particular area of your work.

2. Project-Specific Funding

“Applications for specific projects are much preferred, though the Committee sometimes supports general running costs.” Structure your application around a clearly defined project with specific outcomes rather than requesting core funding.

3. Inner London Focus

While Greater London is the beneficial area, applications from Inner London are given preference. If you work across a wider geographic area, emphasize your Inner London activities and beneficiaries.

4. Strategic Alignment Evolution

Understanding the Foundation's strategic shift is crucial: “The Company moved away from its former strategy of supporting charities purely concerned with the abuse of alcohol, and now focuses more strongly on charities dealing with the social consequences of alcohol abuse – which embraces the families and dependants of abusers, as well as education to prevent youngsters from falling into the trap of alcohol misuse.”

5. Clear Budget Breakdown

The Foundation requires “a breakdown of the budget for the proposed project.” Provide detailed, realistic costings that show how the £3,000-£5,000 grant will be utilized effectively.

6. Demonstrated Need

Show that your beneficiaries are “disadvantaged by reasons of health, education or poverty” and explain how your project addresses these specific disadvantages.

7. Measurable Impact

While not explicitly stated in their guidance, demonstrating how you will measure the impact of the grant on your beneficiaries will strengthen your application.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing matters: Apply strategically around the quarterly meeting schedule (March, June, September, December) to minimize waiting time
• Size advantage: Smaller charities have a distinct advantage; the Committee actively seeks organizations where £3,000-£5,000 will make a meaningful difference
• Three-year rule is absolute: Unsuccessful applicants must wait three full years before reapplying, so ensure your first application is as strong as possible
• Project over core: Frame your request around a specific project with clear deliverables rather than general operating support
• Geographic precision: Emphasize Inner London impact over wider Greater London work
• Modern interpretation: The Foundation's focus has evolved beyond direct alcohol abuse services to encompass the broader social consequences, including preventative education and family support
• No hard copy: All applications are electronic; prepare all documentation in digital format before beginning the online application

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Axis Foundation
• William Kendall's Charity (wax Chandlers Company)
• Trust For London
• London Freemasons Charity
• The Timothy Franey Charitable Foundation
• Inner London Magistrates Court Poor Box
• The Shaftesbury Homes And Arethusa (syp Trust)
• North London Welfare And Educational Foundation
• The Goldsmiths' Company Charity
• The Story Of Christmas

References

1. The Vintners' Foundation - Charity Commission Register. Charity Number 1015212. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1015212&subid=0

1. The Vintners' Company - Grant Application. https://www.vintnershall.co.uk/grant-application

1. The Vintners' Company - The Vintners' Foundation. https://www.vintnershall.co.uk/charity

1. The Vintners' Company - Governance. https://www.vintnershall.co.uk/governance

1. The Vintners' Company - Vintners Foundation Grants. https://www.vintnershall.co.uk/charities/category/Vintners+Foundation+Grants