THE FOUNDATION
Our approach
The Leathersellers’ Foundation is a grant funder that enables individuals and communities by working with charities, fosters opportunity through education, and supports the UK leather trade. We are committed to being an open and trusted funder and are signed up to the IVAR Flexible Funders initiative.
We award grants across our three core areas of charity, education and leather, with applications invited for different programmes throughout the year.
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What to expect from us
From the application process to end of grant reporting, this is what you can expect:
Transparency
At every touch point, we aim to provide clarity in our approach, from application criteria and reporting, to sharing impact and learning. We set out to build trust with all our grantees and partners. We publish information about our Small and Main Grants on 360 Giving and are committed to open and trusting grant-making via the Institute for Voluntary Action Research.
Efficiency
We want your grant application to be as straightforward as possible while holding ourselves to best practice standards. We aim to be responsive, timely and consider the resources of others.
Approachability
We listen and encourage dialogue. No two grantees and application are exactly the same – we strive to be understanding, patient and compassionate.
Accountability
Our funding decisions impact individuals and communities across the UK, and we acknowledge and respect this responsibility.
Collaboration
We work with our grantees, other funders, and institutions to help reach our objectives as the Leathersellers’ Foundation.
Governance
There are two Trustees of the Leathersellers Foundation: the Leathersellers’ Company, acting through its Court of Assistants (The Board); and the Chief Executive & Clerk to the Company.
Trustees
Matthew Lawrence
Chief Executive and Clerk to the Company
Nicholas Tusting
MasterGrants team
Natalia Rymaszewska
Head of Grants
Stacey Lamb
Head of Charity Grants
Lynne Smith
Grants Manager
Charlie Bostock
Grants & Data OfficerAwarding grants
Grants are awarded by the trustees on the recommendation of its Charity, Education and Leather Trade Committees, which include a number of trustees. The trustees set a budget for charitable giving at the start of the financial year, following consideration of the Foundation’s investment assets over the last three years. Grants programmes and performance are continually reviewed throughout the year.
Adding value for our grantees and partners
Adding Value
Going beyond grant-funding to further support the work of our partners in charity, education, leather, and the City of London.
Our Added Value Programme is about looking at what else we can do to improve the experience of our grantees.
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Alumni
The Leathersellers’ Alumni Network brings together individuals we support via student grants, Sixth Form scholarships, university programmes, and makers working with leather to create a community of people who have benefitted from a Leathersellers’ grant. As well as providing an online platform for sharing information and connections, we also run an annual networking event, helping to connect and grow our community for mutual benefit.
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Mentoring
As part of our commitment to the ongoing support and success of our grantees, we help pair recipients of our student grants programme with members of the Leathersellers’ Company and our alumni network.
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