St Andrew Holborn and Stafford's Charity

St Andrew Holborn and Stafford's Charity is a historic London grantmaker, rooted in 14th-century bequests from wealthy parishioners, dedicated to relieving poverty and need within the Holborn parish boundaries, encompassing parts of Camden and the City of London. Chaired by the Bishop of Fulham with eight trustees, it operates independently but collaborates with local churches and charities, disbursing around £500,000 annually. Its ethos prioritizes impartiality—aid based solely on need, irrespective of faith or background—with robust governance, transparency via public reports, and policies on safeguarding, ethics, and risk. Distinctively hands-on, it emphasizes local, practical support through detailed assessments, including home visits for individuals.

The charity funds poverty prevention and relief for vulnerable groups: children and young people, elderly, disabled residents, and low-income families. For individuals, grants cover essentials like furniture, appliances, beds, clothing, school uniforms, computers, and books. Organisations receive support for projects enhancing social inclusion, community cohesion, and deprivation relief, such as youth activities, elderly isolation programmes, and basic needs provision—prioritizing grassroots efforts with proven local impact.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups serving the defined area; small, local entities are preferred, with no strict income limits but a focus on those evidencing need. It accepts unsolicited applications: organisations via initial contact with the Grants Officer (EOI, then full form post-visit, due three weeks before quarterly trustee meetings—next 18 February 2026); individuals on rolling basis (form + home visit, decisions in ~20 days). Typical grants: £500–£5,000 for organisations, £100–£2,000 for individuals.

Exclusions include debt relief, arrears, rent deposits, salaries, cash grants, holidays (unless therapeutic), removal costs, school fees, or post-secondary education; funding is usually goods or supplier payments, not retroactive. Cultural projects need strong deprivation links. Its rigorous, locality-specific model sets it apart for targeted, life-improving aid.