Main Grants Programme

UPDATED JUNE 2020: Due to the unprecedented challenges that now face the charitable sector, our main grants programme has now been closed to new applications. Funds have been distributed as part of stage one of our Covid-19 response which you can read more about here.

In light of the greatly increased need for funds, we are exploring new ways to approach our grant making in 2020-21. This includes a narrowed focus on priority areas and working with other funders to reduce duplication of effort by applicants.

If you would like to be contacted when more information is available as to our new approach and/or any grant funding opportunities, please complete the form here or by clicking the button below:

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PLEASE NOTE: the main grants programme is currently suspended and no new applications are being accepted (more information at the top of the page). The information below relates to the usual operation of the main grants programme and is there for your information relating to when the standard programme is reopened.

The Leathersellers’ Charitable Fund supports UK registered charities working within and for the benefit of communities across the UK. This includes Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO) but not Community Interest Companies (CIC). We want to be sure that our limited funds will make a difference and so are unlikely to fund charities with an income of over £3 million per annum. There may be exceptions. For instance, if a sizable portion of your income comes from statutory sources, your application may still be considered. Please get in touch with the Grants team to discuss before applying.

Leather Trade related

We also welcome applications supporting the use of leather within the footwear, fashion and other industries, education in leather technology and the leather trade. Read more about this here.

Please note

  • A charity may only make one grant application at a time.
  • If you have been awarded a grant previously, you will not be eligible to apply for the same period of time as that of your grant. For example: if you received a one-year grant you cannot reapply for one year after the date your end of year grant report is submitted. If you received multi-year funding for four years you will not be eligible to apply for further funding for four years from the date your final grant report is submitted.
  • If you were previously unsuccessful, you are not eligible to apply for a full year from the date of the email by which you were informed of the decision. If you are unsure when that was please contact us.

PLEASE NOTE: the main grants programme is currently suspended and no new applications are being accepted (more information at the top of the page). The information below relates to the usual operation of the main grants programme and is there for your information relating to when the standard programme is reopened.

When deciding what to apply for we strongly recommend you choose whatever is your greatest priority. Our application process is deliberately open to allow you to identify what you need.

As a UK registered charity, under the Main Grants programme you can apply for funding towards:

  • Core or project costs for a period of up to four years
  • Capital projects

We do not typically fund:

  • Medical research
  • Hospices
  • Capital restoration projects

It may be helpful to look at our latest Charitable Fund Report to see who we funded in the previous year: generally, we focus on tackling deprivation and social problems.

If you are unsure whether your organisation or project is suitable to apply, please get in touch with the Grants team.

PLEASE NOTE: the main grants programme is currently suspended and no new applications are being accepted (more information at the top of the page). The information below relates to the usual operation of the main grants programme and is there for your information relating to when the standard programme is reopened.

We want to fund excellent organisations and people, where activities improve the lives of others.

We want to hear about:

  • What you do to make a difference
  • Why this is needed
  • How you measure your outcomes and what were your results in the last year
  • What you are requesting funding for (including budgets)
  • What impact will that have and on how many people
  • Whether our grant would help you secure funding from elsewhere

We are looking for organisations to:

  • be open and transparent about their work and finances
  • provide good value for money
  • be working in partnership with others

PLEASE NOTE: the main grants programme is currently suspended and no new applications are being accepted (more information at the top of the page). The information below relates to the usual operation of the main grants programme and is there for your information relating to when the standard programme is reopened.

You may apply to the Leathersellers’ Charitable Fund at any time, however the table below will give you an idea of when you can expect to have a decision.
We have four application periods each year as shown below.

Application Period Stage One Decision Final Committee Decision
January – March By end June By end October
April – June By end September By end December
July – September By end November By end March
October – December By end February By end June

PLEASE NOTE: the main grants programme is currently suspended and no new applications are being accepted (more information at the top of the page). The information below relates to the usual operation of the main grants programme and is there for your information relating to when the standard programme is reopened.

You must make your application via our on-line form.

  • You don’t need to do it all at once – you can save your progress and sign back in anytime (until you submit).
  • You will be able to upload three additional documents as well as completing the application form. We ask for a budget and forecast income, and you can use the other two to add colour to your request with case studies or a newsletter, photos etc.
  • You do not need to upload your audited accounts, we will access these from the Charity Commission.
  • Once you have submitted the form you will receive an immediate email acknowledgement letting you know it has been received safely (please check your junk/spam folder as this is an automated email and so may get caught).
  • We notify all applicants via email on the outcome of their application.
PLEASE NOTE: the main grants programme is currently suspended and no new applications are being accepted (more information at the top of the page). The information below relates to the usual operation of the main grants programme and is there for your information relating to when the standard programme is reopened.

Step 1: Initial Assessment

This initial review will take place after each closing date by both the Grants team at the Leathersellers and a member of the Charity Committee. You will then be notified that either your application has been unsuccessful or that it will be considered by the full Committee at the next meeting.

Step 2: Initial Charity Committee Consideration

The Charity Committee will consider up to 30 shortlisted applications in full and decide which should be visited or invited to our Hall for a discussion. If you are unsuccessful at this stage you will be notified shortly after the committee meeting.

 

Step 3: Visit or Presentation

A member of the Grants team and one or more members of the Charities Committee will either request a visit to meet your team and see your work in action, or will request that you attend the Leathersellers’ Hall (London) to discuss more about your work.

 

Step 4: Final Charity Committee Decision

The Charity Committee will make a final decision at the meeting following the visit/presentation. This will then be put forward for approval at the next Court meeting of the Leathersellers’ Company. We will inform you of the outcome shortly after this.

PLEASE NOTE: the main grants programme is currently suspended and no new applications are being accepted (more information at the top of the page). The information below relates to the usual operation of the main grants programme and is there for your information relating to when the standard programme is reopened.

  • When can I reapply for funding?

If you were successful in obtaining a grant, then you need to wait for a period equal to the length of that grant before reapplying. For example: if you received a one-year grant you can reapply one year after the date on which your final end of year grant report was submitted. Similarly, if you received multi-year funding for four years, you can reapply four years after the date on which your final grant report was submitted.

If you were unsuccessful in obtaining a grant, you can reapply one year after the date on which you were informed of that decision.

If you are unsure when your final end of year grant report was submitted, or when you were informed that your application was not successful, please contact us.

  • Do Leathersellers’ Charitable Fund only fund charities in London?

No, we support registered charities working within and for the benefit of communities across the UK.

  • Can I request feedback if my application is unsuccessful?

Unfortunately, as we only have a small Grants team at the Leathersellers’ it is not possible for us to provide feedback to all applicants.

  • Should we apply for a specific project or for a core costs grant (unrestricted funding)?

Whether you need help with a capital project, unrestricted core costs or a project / specific activity, the important thing is that you apply for what you need most as this will be the most compelling for our Committee.

  • Do we need to have a connection to the Livery Company or one of its members?

No, the Leathersellers’ Charitable Fund has an open application process and you do not need to have an introduction to be able to apply. If you do have a particular connection to the Livery, please make that clear in your application. If a Liveryman has agreed to support your application, please ask them to contact the Grants team after you have submitted your application, to explain their connection

  • If we apply for too much funding, will we get nothing?

No, if your requested sum is larger than the Committee consider appropriate, they may grant a smaller amount. Your funding request is not an all or nothing consideration.