The Worshipful Company Of Cutlers General Charitable Fund

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 283096
• Annual Income: £433,372 (FY 2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £160,791 (FY 2024)
• Geographic Focus: London, with preference for deprived inner London boroughs
• Application Method: No public application process (trustee discretion)
• Accepts Unsolicited Applications: No

Contact Details

Address: Cutlers' Hall, 4 Warwick Lane, London EC4M 7BR

Phone: 020 7248 1866

Email: clerk@cutlerslondon.co.uk

Website: www.cutlerslondon.co.uk

Key Contact:

• The Clerk: Rupert Meacher (clerk@cutlerslondon.co.uk)
• The Assistant Clerk: Iben Muriel (iben@cutlerslondon.co.uk)

Overview

The Worshipful Company of Cutlers General Charitable Fund is one of two registered charities administered by the Worshipful Company of Cutlers, one of London's ancient Livery Companies ranking 18th in order of precedence. The fund focuses on supporting charities in London, particularly those serving deprived inner London boroughs. With an annual income of £433,372 and expenditure of £160,791 in the 2024 financial year, the charity supports a diverse range of causes including poverty relief, education advancement, religious advancement, and the distinctive mission of equipping hospices with cutlery. The Worshipful Company of Cutlers is nowadays primarily a charitable institution, funding and administering a variety of educational initiatives such as scholarships and awards alongside its general charitable giving. All trustees serve without remuneration, demonstrating the volunteer-led nature of this historic institution.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The General Charitable Fund supports:

• Relief of poverty - Particularly in deprived inner London boroughs
• Advancement of education - Including educational initiatives, scholarships, and awards for students across various disciplines
• Advancement of religion - Supporting religious organizations and activities
• Equipping hospices with cutlery - A unique charitable focus reflecting the Company's historic connection to the cutlery trade
• Other purposes beneficial to the community - Broader community benefit projects aligned with the Company's objectives

Educational Awards and Scholarships

The Company administers various educational awards including:

• Music Education: Bibby Award (for instrumentalist students), Charles Jacobs Scholarship (vocal studies), Cutlers' Scholarship (dance students)
• Medical Education: Bradmore Scholarship (undergraduate and postgraduate medical students), Extended Medical Degree Programme support
• Academic Fields: Metheringham Scholarship (postgraduate mathematics students)
• Craft and Conservation: Langdown Dowsett Scholarships (students working with metal creation and conservation)
• Knife Making: Award established in 2022 offering help and support to knife makers and bladesmiths with a particular focus on culinary knives
• Hardship Support: Craythorne hardship awards for students in need
• Sports: £300 annual prize for the winner of the Women's British Cadet Foil Championship in fencing

Geographic Focus

Strong preference is given to charities that serve London, especially those that benefit deprived inner London boroughs including Camden, Hackney, Islington, Lambeth, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, and Westminster.

What They Don't Fund

• Charities that attract national support
• Charities outside the UK
• Organizations without a connection to London or the Company's areas of interest

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 4 trustees who serve without remuneration. The Worshipful Company of Cutlers is governed by a Master and two Wardens assisted by a Court of Assistants, following the traditional governance structure of London Livery Companies.

Staff Leadership:

• The Clerk: Rupert Meacher - Primary administrative contact for the Company
• The Assistant Clerk: Iben Muriel
• The Beadle: Thomas Rastrick
• The Company Accountant: Muneera Esat

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, and the organization has no employees with benefits over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The General Charitable Fund operates through trustee discretion, with grants typically made to organizations that have an existing connection to the Company or align closely with the Company's historic interests and priorities.

The Worshipful Company of Cutlers follows a model common among London Livery Companies where charitable support is provided to “ring fenced and established causes with which there are already long standing links” rather than through an open grant application system.

Getting on Their Radar

The Company's website provides information about their charitable activities at www.cutlerslondon.co.uk/charity-and-education. Organizations seeking support should consider:

• Direct Contact: Write to the Clerk at clerk@cutlerslondon.co.uk to introduce your organization and explain how your work aligns with the Fund's charitable purposes
• Focus on London Connection: Emphasize your work in London, particularly if you serve deprived inner London boroughs
• Demonstrate Alignment: Show how your organization's mission aligns with one or more of the Fund's specific charitable purposes (poverty relief, education, religion, hospice support, community benefit)
• Highlight Unique Needs: If you are a hospice, note the Company's distinctive interest in equipping hospices with cutlery

As with many Livery Company charitable trusts, building awareness through respectful, professional contact is important, but the Company makes its own decisions about which causes to support based on trustee deliberations.

Decision Timeline

Livery Company charitable trusts typically meet on a quarterly basis to consider their charitable activities and grant-making decisions. Specific timelines for decisions are not publicly available as there is no formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the General Charitable Fund does not operate a public application process, success in securing support depends on:

• Strong London Focus: Preference is explicitly given to charities serving London, especially deprived inner London boroughs. Demonstrating deep roots and impact in underserved London communities is essential.

• Alignment with Charitable Purposes: Organizations must align with at least one of the Fund's specific purposes: poverty relief, education advancement, religious advancement, hospice support (particularly equipment needs), or other community benefit.

• Connection to the Company: As stated in their charitable objectives, the Company provides “support for organisations with connection to the Company.” Establishing a legitimate connection through shared values, geographic focus, or sector alignment is important.

• Educational Focus: Given the Company's extensive portfolio of educational scholarships and awards across music, medicine, mathematics, dance, and craft disciplines, educational charities may find particular alignment.

• Local Rather Than National Appeal: The Fund explicitly states that “grants are not normally awarded to charities that attract national support,” prioritizing smaller, local organizations serving specific London communities.

• Hospice-Specific Opportunities: Hospices seeking support should highlight their need for cutlery or related equipment, given this unique charitable focus that reflects the Company's historic trade connection.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not a publicly accessible grant program - there is no application form or open deadline system
• The Fund made £160,791 in charitable expenditure in FY 2024, demonstrating active grant-making capacity
• Geographic focus is critical: Priority is explicitly given to London charities, especially those serving deprived inner London boroughs (Camden, Hackney, Islington, Lambeth, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Westminster)
• The Fund will not support national charities or those outside the UK
• Educational initiatives are a major area of focus, with numerous named scholarships and awards administered by the Company
• Hospices have a unique advantage due to the Fund's distinctive mission of “equipping of hospices with cutlery”
• Contact should be directed to the Clerk (Rupert Meacher) at clerk@cutlerslondon.co.uk to introduce your organization
• Trustees serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration, reflecting traditional Livery Company values

References

• Charity Commission Register: The Worshipful Company of Cutlers General Charitable Fund (Charity Number 283096), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/283096
• The Worshipful Company of Cutlers official website: Charity and Education section, https://www.cutlerslondon.co.uk/charity-and-education/
• Livery Committee: Applications to livery companies' and guilds' charitable trusts, https://liverycommittee.org/charities-and-education/charities/applications-charitable-trusts/
• Community Connections Lewisham: How to apply for charity funds from livery companies, https://communityconnectionslewisham.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PDF-version-Livery-Company-factsheet.pdf
• British Fencing: The Worshipful Company of Cutlers partnership, https://www.britishfencing.com/the-worshipful-company-of-cutlers/