Deadline: Ongoing
Drapers’ Charitable Fund is inviting applications for its Grant Program to improve the quality of life and aspirations of people and communities, particularly those who are socially excluded or disadvantaged.
The foundation gives most of their grants to charities in Greater London, where they have their historical roots, for projects in education and social welfare. Honouring their heritage, they also fund projects to do with the textile industry, textile conservation, military heritage and the history of London.
Their Charities Committee, made up of members of the Drapers’ Company, meets regularly to decide on grants. Members bring a wide range of current expertise to bear on their decision-making, backed by the Company’s six centuries’ experience of the art of giving. If your project meets any of the following criteria, they look forward to hearing from you.
Eligible Activities
- Education and Young People
- Projects which raise the aspirations or help to realise the full potential of disadvantaged young people in Greater London including:
- Support NEET young people into education, training or sustainable employment; or
- support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to increase their academic attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy, or to continue or further their education; or
- improve the self-confidence, employability or life skills of disadvantaged young people to deliver a demonstrable impact on their progression into education, training or employment; or
- improve the mental health, resilience, self-esteem and engagement of young people; or
- support young carers e.g. education projects and respite services.
- Social Welfare
- Homelessness – programmes in Greater London which break the cycle of homelessness or support those who are vulnerably housed or otherwise at risk of homelessness including:
- Support to enable people to gain or maintain stable accommodation; or
- enabling people to develop the skills to live independently and/or move towards employment or training; or
- Day Centres offering shelter and basic services.
- Prisoners
- Projects should aim to improve the employability opportunities for offenders or ex-offenders; or
- support rehabilitation, particularly through the provision of education and training opportunities; or re-build family relationships or provide support services to prisoners’ families.
- Projects can be delivered in prisons, through-the-gate or to ex-offenders in the community.
- Ex-Service men and women
- Projects should support or aid the rehabilitation of wounded, injured or sick ex-services personnel, particularly into training or employment; or
- improve the welfare, health and wellbeing of ex-service men and women in need.
- Welfare – The provision of support services to the following beneficiaries in situations of high deprivation in Greater London:
- Older people e.g. befriending services, day centre services, or projects helping beneficiaries to continue to live independently in their own homes; or
- supporting people to overcome hardship e.g. food redistribution services and projects addressing food poverty, debt advice, support to help people remain in their homes; or
- community or family support services e.g., community centres, befriending/advice services to develop positive family relationships.
- Disability
- Projects should provide support and improve the quality of life for adults with sensory impairment, mental health support needs or learning difficulties.
- Textiles and Heritage
- Textile conservation projects particularly the conservation, display and public access of textiles of national importance; or
- projects which develop textile-related skills and innovations; the support of young people’s entrance into and success within the industry; or
- preservation of the nation’s heritage through support of museums, memorials and monuments related to former exploits of the armed forces, the history of London or the textile trade.
Funding Information
- Grants awarded are normally for sums up to £15,000 but larger grants may be awarded.
Eligibility Criteria and Grants Awarded
- Applications will only be considered from registered charities, unless the organisation is exempt from registration.
- Support will be focused on organisations whose annual income is less than £5 million.
- The main focus of grant-making is in disadvantaged areas of Greater London. Many of the funding priorities include a geographical restriction, but where this is not stated projects and beneficiaries should be based in England.
- Most grants are one-off payments, but multi-year grants are selectively awarded when they are subject to an annual progress review.
- 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.
- 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.
For more information, visit https://thedrapers.co.uk/drapers-charitable-fund/