Deadline: 17 March (rolling)
The Weavers’ Company Benevolent Fund was set up in 1973. 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.
Projects which fulfill the funding criteria are short-listed, then visited by a member of the Company. These assessments inform the Charitable Grants Committee, helping it decide on the grants to be awarded and the amount allocated. The Committee meets three times a year.
The Company looks to support projects that involve the rehabilitation of young offenders so that these young people can lead productive and fulfilling lives once released from detention. Despite a focus on the rehabilitation of young offenders, the Company also supports projects that help ex-offenders of all ages. The Company realises that it is as important to prevent young people from offending in the first place, therefore, supporting projects that help young people make better life choices and fulfill their potential.
Though income is not a barrier to an application being considered, the Committee’s preference is to support small organisations. Local organisations, such as those working in a village, estate, or small town should normally have an annual income of less than about £100,000. For those working in larger cities and/or across the UK, annual income should not be more than about £250,000.
Grants of up to £15,000 per annum may be awarded, but smaller applications are also welcomed.
The Charitable Grants Committee meets in February, July, and October of each year. Because of the various stages involved in the assessment process, it may take up to four months for your application to be processed and this should be considered when planning your project
Any applications that arrive after a deadline will be automatically rolled forward to the next.
The closing dates for applications in 2023 are:
Thursday 17 March
Thursday 14 July
Thursday 17 November
Applications must be printed, signed, and posted to their office and must arrive by midday on the closing date.
