Drapers' Charitable Fund

Background

The Drapers Charitable Fund is administered and provided by The Drapers Company, which dates back to 1364 when woollen cloth merchants joined together to support each other and further their trade. Over the last six centuries, Drapers has provided support to schools, almshouses, those who have fallen on hard times.

Objectives of Fund

The funding is intended for charities in Greater London who are working with those who are socially excluded or disadvantaged. The funding will support projects in education and social welfare as well as projects related to the textile industry, textile conservation, military heritage and the history of London.

Value Notes

There is no minimum grant.

Grants of up to £25,000 are normally awarded, but larger grants may be awarded.

Most grants are one-off payments. Multi-year grants are seldom awarded and are subject to an annual progress review.

Who Can Apply

Applications will only be considered from UK registered charities, unless the organisation is exempt from registration.

Charities must have a total annual income of less than £5 million.

The main focus of grant making is disadvantaged areas of Greater London.

Grants are conditional on applicants having written safeguarding policies and procedures in place relating to child protection, vulnerable adults and any other issues relating to the welfare of the charity's beneficiaries.

Location

Greater London

Restrictions

Funding is not available for the following:

• Organisations thar are not registered charities, unless exempt from registration.
• Organisations with an annual income of more than £5 million.
• Regional charities affiliated with national charities or movements.
• Schools, colleges or universities.
• Churches or other places of worship.
• Almshouses.
• Hospitals, medical centres or hospices or other palliative care services.
• Individuals or organisations applying on their behalf.
• Capital costs, new buildings or major refurbishments.
• Projects which do not support all members of the targeted area of need.
• Physical disabilities, medical research or medical conditions including drug and alcohol addiction, HIV/Aids.
• Arts projects unless able to demonstrate impact on prisoners, older people or those with less visible disabilities.
• Projects where the main focus is tolerance and understanding between faiths and communities or the promotion of religious beliefs.
• Projects supporting those experiencing domestic violence trafficking or sexual exploitation.
• Charities whose principal objective is campaigning, lobbying or raising awareness.
• Holidays or trips or pre-school projects.
• Events such as conferences, seminars and exhibitions.
• Animal welfare.
• Projects taking place or whose beneficiaries are outside the UK.
• Work that has already taken place.

Eligible Expenditure

Funding is provided for either core costs or for specific projects or areas of work to enable organisations to continue and develop their services.

Grants will be awarded to organisations/projects which demonstrate quantifiable outcomes and a positive and significant impact upon beneficiaries in the following areas:

Social Welfare

• Homelessness - supports programmes in Greater London which break the cycle of homelessness or support those who are vulnerably housed or otherwise at risk of homelessness. Projects should:
  • Enable people to gain or maintain stable accommodation.
  • Help people to develop the skills to live independently and/or move towards employment or training.
  • Support day centres offering shelter and basic services.
• Prisoners - supports all kinds or projects delivered in prisons, 'through-the-gate' and to ex-offenders in the community, if they:
  • Improve the employability of offenders or ex-offenders.
  • Support rehabilitation, particularly through education and training opportunities.
  • Re-build family relationships or provide support services to prisoners’ families.
• Ex-Service men and women - projects should:
  • Support the rehabilitation of, wounded, injured or sick ex-services personnel, particularly into training or employment.
  • Improve the welfare, health and wellbeing of ex-service men and women in need.
• Welfare - projects should:
  • Benefit older people eg befriending services, day centre and initiatives that make it possible for older people to live independently at home.
  • Address hardship eg food redistribution services, debt and housing advice.
  • Build community and support family relationships.
  • Disability – projects should improve the quality of life for adults with sensory impairment, mental health needs or learning difficulties.

Education and Young People - Projects which raise aspirations and help young people (under 25 years of age) to realise their full potential through the following:

• Support NEET young people into education, training or sustainable employment.
• Improve the essential skills of disadvantaged young people to deliver a demonstrable impact on their progression into education, training or employment.
• Support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to increase their academic attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy, or to continue or further their education.
• Improve the wellbeing, resilience, self-esteem and engagement of young people.

Textiles and Heritage

• Textile conservation projects particularly where textiles are of national importance.
• Projects that develop textile-related skills and innovations.
• Projects that support young people's entrance into and success within the textile industry.
• Memorials, monuments and museum projects related to the armed forces, the history of London or the textile trade.

How To Apply

Applications may be submitted at any time.

The Charities Committee meets five times a year.

Applications will normally be considered at the next meeting following submission as long as they are received at least four weeks before the date of the meeting. However, this is dependent upon the number of applications received and it cannot be guaranteed that an application will be considered at a particular meeting.

Applications should be submitted by email to charities@thedrapers.co.uk.

Details of what information to include are provided in the guidelines.

A visit by members of the company may be required prior to the application being considered.