Distillers' Charity

Could Distillers' Charity be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: £30,000 – £150,000
Applications: Not accepted

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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About Distillers' Charity

The Distillers' Charity is the philanthropic arm of The Worshipful Company of Distillers, established in 1955. Rooted in the livery tradition and led by trustees from the drinks industry, the charity channels sector philanthropy through high-impact partnerships rather than direct operations. Its mission is to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people, especially those aged 16-25 facing poverty, care experience, or exclusion, by fostering confidence, resilience, skills, and employability. The charity prioritises three themes: empowering young people in Scotland through employability and mental health support; vocational training and education in the spirits and hospitality sectors; and supporting London-based youth projects linked to livery communities. Funding targets collaborative projects building work readiness, hardship relief, and capacity-building for at-risk youth, with a UK-wide reach but particular focus on Scotland and London. The Distillers' Charity stands out for its industry-driven, auction-fueled model and spirits-sector synergies.

What Distillers' Charity funds

The Distillers' Charity funds work that directly supports disadvantaged young people, particularly those aged 16-25 facing poverty, care experience, or exclusion. They prioritise three themes: youth employability and mental health support in Scotland; vocational training and education in the spirits and hospitality sectors; and London-based youth projects linked to livery communities. Their funding supports collaborative initiatives that build work readiness, offer hardship relief, and strengthen capacity for at-risk youth. The charity has a UK-wide reach but concentrates on Scotland and London, where it partners with organisations that share its focus on fostering confidence, resilience, skills, and employability.

Who can apply

The Distillers' Charity funds UK-registered charities, preferably medium-to-large organisations with a strong track record. They concentrate on projects serving disadvantaged young people aged 16-25, particularly those experiencing poverty, care experience, or exclusion. The charity does not accept unsolicited applications; funding goes exclusively to pre-selected partners identified by the board ahead of strategic cycles.

What Distillers' Charity doesn't fund

The Distillers' Charity does not fund grassroots micro-groups, capital projects, or initiatives outside youth and employability. They also exclude work that does not align with their three priority themes: youth empowerment in Scotland, vocational training in spirits and hospitality, and London livery-linked youth projects.

How they like to fund

The Distillers' Charity funds through high-impact, collaborative partnerships rather than direct operations. They support project, capacity, and core costs, often in multi-year arrangements. Funding is driven by industry events, particularly the biennial Distillers One of One auction, and the charity works exclusively with pre-selected partners identified by the board.

How much does Distillers' Charity give?

£30,000 – £150,000

Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Children & youthEducationMental health

How to apply to Distillers' Charity

Distillers' Charity does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.

A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Distillers' Charity.
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Distillers' Charity could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Distillers' Charity provide?

Distillers' Charity typically provides grants of £30,000 - £150,000.

Where does Distillers' Charity fund charities?

Distillers' Charity funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Distillers' Charity accept unsolicited applications?

Distillers' Charity does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Distillers' Charity?

Distillers' Charity does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.