Tallow Chandlers Benevolent Fund No 2

Tallow Chandlers Benevolent Fund No 2 embodies the Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers' centuries-old ethos of civic duty, education promotion, and philanthropy, with a mission to drive lasting social change by empowering young disadvantaged people facing socio-economic barriers to achieve educational success, skills mastery, and life progression. Core values emphasize unlocking individual potential through targeted youth support, measurable personal advancement, and community strengthening, guided by a philosophy that lasting impact arises from nurturing long-term employability and resilience via partnerships with schools, youth organizations, and skills providers that deliver direct, progression-focused interventions.

The Fund prioritizes youth development programs addressing barriers to education and employment for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those with disabilities, through STEM education initiatives, practical skills training like construction and vocational workshops, employability support, mentoring schemes, educational bursaries, after-school clubs, and youth club activities fostering confidence and achievement. It backs interventions tackling socio-economic exclusion, such as skills-building for youth unemployment prevention, academic enrichment in core subjects, hands-on learning for school exclusion risks, and support for disabled young people via inclusive training and progression pathways. Funded activities include direct service delivery models like one-to-one mentoring, group skills sessions, award programs rewarding educational effort, and partnerships enhancing access to STEM careers, all emphasizing evidence-based progression from education to employment for urban youth facing poverty, family hardship, or learning challenges.

Distinctive for its deep City of London heritage and professional networks augmenting grants with member expertise, the Fund targets London's socio-economically disadvantaged young people, prioritizing those in flagship central schools and City-linked charities serving children with barriers to progression over generalist causes. It avoids non-specific philanthropy, favoring youth-focused education and skills over adult services or unrelated welfare, with a niche emphasis on STEM employability, practical training, and measurable life outcomes for hindered young Londoners through innovative, network-leveraged partnerships.