The Vintners' Foundation

Vintners' Foundation Grants

The Vintners' Foundation, the charity of the Vintners' Company, makes one-off grants normally up to £5,000 to smaller charities working in Greater London (preferably Inner London) on poverty and homelessness, the social effects of alcohol misuse, and young people and youth projects. It prefers specific projects over core costs. Applications are accepted at any time through an online form and reviewed by a committee that meets four times a year, though a decision can take months.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £5,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Moderate; full application with documents

Who can apply

Registered charities, social enterprises or Community Interest Companies operating primarily in Greater London (preference for Inner London) whose work fits one or more of the focus areas, established for at least two years, with annual income under £10m and reserves of no more than 12 months' expenditure
Smaller charities are preferred
Applications must be made by the organisation delivering the project, not on behalf of a third party
Organisations funded in the last three years should wait three years after the grant is completed before reapplying
Note that the online form requires a charity number

What it funds

Specific projects (preferred over core or general costs) by charities working in Greater London, particularly Inner London, on:

Relieving poverty and homelessness, particularly where health, education or financial hardship are contributing factors
Addressing the social effects of alcohol abuse or misuse
Supporting young people through youth projects and designated educational establishments

Most grants are one-off awards of up to £5,000; occasionally exceptional initiatives are chosen as Favoured Charities with enhanced funding for up to three years.

Funded areas listed include addiction, homelessness and rehabilitation; arts enrichment; children, young people and education; food, nutrition and support for hospitality; and health and wellbeing.

What it will not fund

Volunteer expenses
Marketing materials, literature or leaflets
Educational grants for individuals
Organisations funded by the Foundation within the past three years (unless invited to reapply)
Organisations that promote a particular religion or restrict services based on religion
Organisations established less than two years
Organisations with annual income over £10m or reserves covering more than 12 months' expenditure
Projects previously declined
Medical research or medical equipment
General or emergency appeals
Political projects
Heritage projects
Work taking place outside London, elsewhere in the UK or overseas
Time-critical projects (not recommended, as decisions can take months)

How to apply

Read the Eligibility Criteria and FAQs on the Charity page
Complete the online application form: charity details, charity number, date established, objectives (200 words), where you operate, service category, grant size requested and purpose (350 words), restricted and unrestricted funds, income, expenditure and surplus/deficit for the last two years, previous applications and other Livery Company grants
Upload your latest accounts and a budget breakdown for the project, and submit
You receive an acknowledgement email; the Charities Secretary assesses the application and may ask for more details
If it meets the criteria it is referred to the Vintners' Foundation Committee, which may seek more information or request a visit before deciding

There are no deadlines; the Committee meets four times a year (typically March, June, September and November) but an application may not reach the next meeting.

Members of the Vintners' Company can propose a charity through a separate Member's Petition.

Have ready

Latest (audited) accounts
Budget breakdown for the proposed project

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