Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund

The Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund, established in 1973 by the Worshipful Company of Weavers—the oldest Livery Company in the City of London—focuses on alleviating distress among young people at risk of offending or who have offended, while supporting the weaving and textile industry. Rooted in practical philanthropy, innovation, and social responsibility, it aids small UK charities delivering direct services to disadvantaged youth up to age 30, ex-offenders, and their families, emphasizing rehabilitation, life skills, education, employability, and personal development to reduce reoffending and foster positive futures. It also backs innovative youth engagement, community projects for deprived areas including immigrants, targeted textile scholarships, and three Inner London primary schools.

Funding prioritizes projects like skills training, mentoring, wrap-around support, family reintegration, educational outreach, and pilots tackling criminal exploitation or socioeconomic challenges. Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or exceptional Community Interest Companies (CICs), UK-based with no regional limits, preferably small (under £250,000 annual income nationally, £100,000 locally), delivering direct beneficiary impact. Applicants must show efforts to secure other funding.

Typical grants range from £5,000–£15,000 (small programme up to £5,000; main up to £15,000+ rarely multi-year), covering projects, core costs (salaries, overheads), pump-priming, or emergencies for prior grantees. Unsolicited applications require a signed postal form with accounts, due by midday on quarterly deadlines: 13 March 2025 (June meeting), 3 July 2025 (October), 13 November 2025 (February 2026); decisions follow site visits, up to four months later. Distinctively, it funds grassroots innovation and overlooked groups, avoids sole-reliance repeats, and promotes replicable models for lasting social cohesion.