The Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £554,934 (2023)
• Success Rate: Competitive (demand significantly exceeds available funding)
• Decision Time: 2 weeks post-committee meeting; 3-4 months total process
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £15,000
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom

Contact Details

Main Contact:

• Website: www.weavers.org.uk
• Phone: 020 7606 1155
• Email: clerk@weavers.org.uk
• Charity Email: charity@weavers.org.uk

Charities Officer: Mrs Anne Howe (charity@weavers.org.uk, 020 7606 1155)

Address: The Weavers' Company, Saddlers' House, Gutter Lane, London, EC2V 6BR

Overview

The Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund was established in 1973 by The Worshipful Company of Weavers, the oldest recorded Livery Company in the City of London dating back to at least 1130. The Fund's principal aim is to support people in trouble, particularly young offenders and ex-offenders, as well as other disadvantaged young people. In 2023, the Fund awarded £554,934 in grants, an increase from £511,027 in 2022 and £448,712 in 2021. The Fund's strategic approach emphasizes “pump-priming new projects, especially those that are innovative and can serve as a model elsewhere.” The Fund maintains a distinctive assessment process involving site visits by Company members, including younger members who actively participate in charitable assessment, providing hands-on evaluation of projects before funding decisions are made.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme

• Amount: Up to £5,000
• Application: Fixed deadlines (three rounds annually)
• Duration: Normally one year

Main Grants Programme

• Amount: Uncapped; typically £10,000-£15,000
• Application: Fixed deadlines (three rounds annually)
• Duration: Normally one year; exceptionally up to three years for multi-year funding

Priority Areas

The Fund supports three main themes:

1. Supporting Offenders into Work

• Projects helping offenders and ex-offenders (particularly under 30 years old) build skills and capability for sustainable employment
• Life skills training and pathways back into education, training, or employment

2. Helping Specific Groups within the Criminal Justice System

• Committed to supporting charities working with underserved groups within the criminal justice sector that are less popular with other funders
• Focus on direct services for rehabilitation

3. Supporting Disadvantaged Young People

• Projects working with young people from disadvantaged and socio-economically challenged groups
• Young people defined as being aged up to 25 years
• Ensuring young people are given every possible chance to realize their full potential
• Particular interest in immigrants and at-risk youth

Additional Focus:

• Preference for smaller organisations offering direct services
• Strong interest in pump-priming pilot projects
• Support for innovative work that can serve as a model elsewhere
• Project funding with associated overhead costs
• Core funding for new projects

What They Don't Fund

• Universities and colleges
• Medical research
• Environmental projects
• Religious or political causes
• Sponsorships
• Endowment appeals
• Completed work
• Individual grants
• Overseas organizations
• Capital projects
• Immigration legal fees

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Governance and Leadership

The Fund operates through a Charitable Grants Committee that meets three times annually (February, June, and October). The trustees are responsible for controlling the work, management, and administration of the charity on behalf of its beneficiaries.

Key Personnel:

• Charities Officer: Mrs Anne Howe (Tel: 020 7606 1155, Email: charity@weavers.org.uk)

The Fund employs a unique assessment approach involving younger Company members in charitable assessment visits, creating a multi-generational perspective on grant-making decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Download the application form from www.weavers.org.uk (available in Word and PDF formats)
2. Read the guidelines thoroughly before applying
3. Complete the form with all required supporting documents
4. Print, sign, and post the application - digital submissions not accepted
5. Applications must arrive by midday on the closing date

Application Deadlines (2025/26):

• Thursday, 3 July 2025 (considered October 2025)
• Thursday, 13 November 2025 (considered February 2026)
• Thursday, 12 March 2026 (considered June 2026)

Note: Applications arriving too late for one meeting are automatically rolled forward to the next meeting.

Decision Timeline

• Shortlisting: Projects fulfilling funding criteria are shortlisted
• Assessment Visit: Shortlisted applicants receive a site visit from a Company member to discuss the project in detail
• Committee Meeting: Committee meets approximately 3-4 months after application deadline
• Decision Notification: All shortlisted applicants advised in writing within 2 weeks of the committee meeting
• Total Process: Approximately 3-4 months from deadline to decision

Success Rates

The number of applications received by the Company far outstrips the funds available. Even if shortlisted and a positive recommendation is made following a site visit, it may not be possible to award a grant due to high competition. While specific success rate percentages are not published, the competitive nature suggests a selective process with relatively modest acceptance rates.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not explicitly stated in public materials. Applicants should contact the Charities Officer directly for guidance on resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder

On Project Costs:

“If you are applying for project funding, you should make sure you have included the cost of any overheads associated with the work, such as office/secretarial support, so that the project is not under-funded. It is in your best interest to ensure that you have realistically assessed the cost of the project.”

On Sustainability:

“Applicants must show that they have investigated other sources of funding and made plans for the future, which should include replacement funding if appropriate.”

On Innovation:

Preference is given to “pump-priming new projects, especially those that are innovative and can serve as a model elsewhere.”

What They Value

• Direct services to beneficiaries rather than indirect support
• Innovation and pilot projects with potential to be replicated
• Realistic budgeting that includes all project costs including overheads
• Sustainability planning demonstrating other funding sources and future plans
• Small organisations with focused, demonstrable impact
• Projects where the grant will be used for an identified purpose

The Assessment Visit

The site visit is a crucial component of the decision-making process. A Company member will:

• Discuss your project in detail
• Make a recommendation to the Charitable Grants Committee
• Assess how the grant aligns with funding priorities
• Evaluate organizational capacity and project feasibility

Being prepared for this visit with clear answers about project implementation, outcomes, and sustainability is essential.

Standing Out

• Demonstrate how your project is innovative or pioneering in approach
• Show clear evidence of other funding sources (matched funding requirement)
• Articulate how the project serves as a model that could be replicated
• Focus on direct service delivery to young people or those in the criminal justice system
• Include realistic overhead costs in project budgets
• Provide clear exit strategy or sustainability plan beyond the grant period

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Size matters: The Fund actively prefers smaller charities (under £100k-£250k income) with direct service delivery - if you're small and focused, you're in the sweet spot.

• Innovation is valued: Emphasize how your project is new, pioneering, or can serve as a model elsewhere. “Pump-priming” language resonates with this funder.

• Prepare for the site visit: If shortlisted, you'll receive an assessment visit from a Company member. This is make-or-break for your application - be ready to discuss your project in detail and demonstrate organizational capacity.

• Match funding is required: You must show evidence of seeking other funding sources. Don't apply if you haven't secured or actively pursued additional funding.

• Be realistic with budgets: Include all overhead costs (office support, admin, etc.) in project budgets. Under-budgeting counts against you.

• Target the niche: Projects working with “less popular” groups in the criminal justice system have strategic advantage - the Fund explicitly commits to supporting underserved populations.

• Plan for sustainability: Demonstrate future funding plans and exit strategies. The Fund wants to see projects will continue beyond their grant.

• Physical applications only: No online portal - applications must be printed, signed, and posted. Build in time for postal delivery before the midday deadline.

References

• The Weavers' Company Official Website - Charitable Grants: https://www.weavers.org.uk/charity/charitable-grants/

• The Weavers' Company - Guidelines for Applicants: https://www.weavers.org.uk/charity/charitable-grants/guidelines/

• The Weavers' Company - Applying for a Charitable Grant: https://www.weavers.org.uk/charity/charitable-grants/applying-for-a-charitable-grant/

• Charity Commission - The Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund (266189): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=266189

• Action Together - The Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund: https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/weavers'-company-benevolent-fund

• Richmond CVS - Weavers Benevolent Fund Information: https://richmondcvs.org.uk/funding-weavers-benevolent-fund/