The Weavers' Company (Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund)

Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund charitable grants

The Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund gives grants to UK registered charities and CIOs with income up to £5 million working with offenders and ex-offenders, especially helping them into sustainable work, and with young people aged 16 to 25 already in the criminal justice system. There is a Small Grants Programme capped at £5,000 and an uncapped Main Grants Programme. It prefers pump-priming new, innovative projects that could be a model elsewhere, but will consider core costs. Applications are made on a paper form sent by post; the next closing date is midday Thursday 12 November 2026, for the February 2027 committee.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £5,000,000
Deadline: 25 days left; 12 November
Effort: Moderate; full application with documents

Who can apply

UK registered charities and charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs) only, with annual income of up to £5 million, whose work is with ex-offenders, young offenders or young people (16-25) involved in the criminal justice system
Applicants must be able to demonstrate impact (general sector statistics are not enough) and show they have investigated other funding sources and planned for future funding

What it funds

Work with ex-offenders, young offenders or young people at risk of offending, locally or nationally. Priority areas: supporting offenders and ex-offenders to build skills and capability to get into sustainable work, and helping specific groups in the criminal justice sector that are less popular with funders. Secondary area: projects working specifically with young people (16-25) already involved in the criminal justice system, rather than general youth development. Types of funding:

Pump-priming new pilot approaches (especially where the grant is a major part of funding or is matched)
Project funding for an identified purpose, including associated overheads
Core costs such as salaries, training and overheads
Innovative work that could inspire similar work elsewhere
And, exceptionally, emergency or deficit funding for established organisations, most likely ones already known to the Company

Small Grants Programme capped at £5,000; Main Grants Programme uncapped (applicants are told to check typical grant sizes in the Company's Charity Commission annual reports).

What it will not fund

Universities or colleges
Physical, mental and developmental disabilities, medical research or medical conditions, including drug and alcohol addiction
Environmental projects
Promotion of religious or political causes
Sponsorship and marketing appeals
Endowment appeals
Work completed, or to be completed, while the application is being considered
Capital projects to provide compliance with the DDA
Grants to individuals or causes benefiting only one person, including student grants or bursaries
Grant-giving charities
Organisations working outside the UK, and overseas expeditions or travel
Work that should be covered by statutory funding
Capital costs including building work and renovations
Immigration legal fees or visa applications
After school clubs and summer schools

How to apply

Read the Guidelines and only apply if your work fits the priorities
Download the application form (Word or PDF), or email charity@weavers.org.uk to have one sent
Complete and sign the form, choosing the Small Grants or Main Grants Programme
Print it and post it with your project budget to The Weavers' Company, Saddlers' House, Gutter Lane, London EC2V 6BR, to arrive by midday on the closing date (Thursday 12 November 2026 for the February 2027 committee)
The Company may ask for more information and a committee member may interview you
You are told within 2 weeks of the closing date whether you are shortlisted
Main Grants only: shortlisted applicants have an assessment visit (in person or online) by a Company representative
The Charitable Grants Committee decides and you are told in writing within 2 weeks of its meeting

Later closing dates are 11 March 2027 (June 2027 committee), 1 July 2027 (October 2027) and 1 November 2027 (February 2028).

Small grants report on spending using a template; main grants provide templated progress reports for the life of the grant.

Have ready

Signed, printed application form
Project budget in table form showing planned income and expenditure, with sources and which income is confirmed or pending

The Company reviews your latest accounts on the Charity Commission website; if you are not a registered charity you must attach your latest audited accounts.

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