The Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund

Background

The Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund was set up in 1973 with funds from The Worshipful Company of Weavers, which is the oldest City of London Livery Company and has a history dating back before 1130 AD.

The Fund’s principal aim is to support people in trouble, particularly young offenders and ex-offenders, as well as other disadvantaged young people. Preference is given to pump-priming new projects, especially those that are innovative and can serve as a model elsewhere.

Objectives of Fund

The funding is intended for registered charities working in the current priority areas:

• Supporting offenders and ex-offenders into work, specifically for those looking to build skills and capability to get into sustainable work.
• Helping specific groups within the criminal justice sector.

The secondary funding area is focused on projects that work with young people (up to age 25 years) from disadvantaged and socio-economically challenged groups, such as immigrants, to ensure they are given every possible chance to realise their full potential and to participate fully in society.

Value Notes

There are two levels of funding:

• Small grants of up to £5,000.
• Main Grants have no maximum amount.

Grants are normally awarded for one year only; however, in exceptional cases, applications for multi-year funding of up to three years, will be considered.

Match Funding Restrictions

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

Who Can Apply

Applications will be accepted from UK registered charities and charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs). In exceptional circumstances Community Interest Companies (CICs) may be considered.

Preference will be given to smaller charities and those instigating bespoke projects.

Location

United Kingdom

Restrictions

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Universities or colleges
• Physical, mental and developmental disabilities, and medical research or medical conditions, including drug and alcohol addiction
• Environmental projects
• Work in promotion of religious or political causes
• Sponsorship, marketing appeals and fundraising activities
• Endowment appeals
• Work that has been completed, or will be completed, while the application is being considered
• Capital projects to provide compliance with the DDA
• Grants to individuals or to causes that will benefit only one person, including student grants or bursaries
• Organisations working outside the UK, and overseas expedition or travel
• Work that should be covered by statutory funding
• Capital costs including building work and renovations
• Immigration legal fees or visa applications.

Eligible Expenditure

The funding can be used for:

• Pump-priming - particularly from small community-based organisations where the grant would form a major element of the funding.
• Project funding - preference is to support projects where the grant is used for an identified purpose.
• Associated project costs - applicants should include the cost of any overheads associated with the work, such as office/secretarial support, so that the project is not under-funded.
• Core costs for new projects - such as general administration and training that enable an organisation to develop and maintain expertise.
• Innovative or pioneering work - that could inspire similar work in other areas of the country.
• Continuation funding - ongoing funding for successful projects, which have proved their worth.
• Emergency or deficit funding for an established organisation - in exceptional circumstances. This funding usually goes to charities which the Company knows or has previously supported.

How To Apply

The 2024 deadlines for applications are midday on:

• 14 March 2024 for notification of a decision in June 2024
• 4 July 2024 for notification of a decision in October 2024
• 14 November 2024 for notification of a decision in February 2025

Any applications that arrive too late for consideration at one meeting are automatically rolled forward to the next.

The guidelines and application forms can be found on the Trust's website.

The completed form must be printed, signed and posted to the Trust's office along with the supporting documents. It must arrive by midday on the closing date.

Contact the Weaver's Company for further information.