Goldsmiths' Company Charity

The Goldsmiths' Company Charity, rooted in the historic Goldsmiths’ Company with charitable origins dating to 1334 and formal registration in the late 19th century, is one of London's twelve ancient livery companies dedicated to advancing national life through craftsmanship, heritage preservation, vocational skills development, cultural enrichment, and improving opportunities for disadvantaged groups. Its mission emphasizes tangible social impact via strategic investments, guided by values of collaboration, innovation, sustainability, and measurable outcomes, often partnering with other livery companies and philanthropies for systemic change beyond traditional goldsmithing support.

It prioritizes four themes: sustaining crafts and allied trades through training; building technical/vocational skills for youth and underrepresented groups; enhancing life chances via criminal justice reintegration, early years literacy/numeracy/oracy, and support for ageing or neurodivergent populations; and bolstering cultural institutions. Key programmes include the £10 million Landmark Grants (2023–2035, invitation-only), Inaugural Grants for UK-wide vocational/creativity projects, and smaller grants for culture, medical welfare, and community wellbeing, funding education, social mobility, youth programmes, prisoner rehabilitation, and creative skills initiatives like jewellery academies or literary trusts.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, CIOs, or academic institutions based in the UK (anywhere, with London emphasis), preferably with incomes under £5 million and at least one year's accounts; it supports projects benefiting people/communities but excludes individuals, CICs, social enterprises, local authorities, and overseas work. Typical grants range £5,000–£50,000 (Inaugural: £30,000–£50,000; small: up to £5,000), covering project costs, core funding, salaries, or capital via online forms when open—no unsolicited applications accepted currently (last round: March–May 2025; small grants rolling when available, decided in 3 months). Distinctive for its craft-heritage focus, multi-year commitments, and blend of innovative/proven interventions evaluated for long-term impact.