Our Work

Charitable Grants

The Weavers’ Company Benevolent Fund was set up in 1973, succeeding an existing charitable fund. We decided that the Fund’s principal aim should be to support people in trouble, particularly ex-offenders and young people involved in the Criminal Justice System. Preference is given to pump-priming new projects, especially those that are innovative and can serve as a model elsewhere.

Projects which fulfil the funding criteria are short-listed, then visited by a member of the Company. These assessment visits give our younger members in particular an opportunity to become closely involved in the charitable work of the Company, which may lead to a mutually beneficial relationship with its beneficiaries.

These assessments inform the Charitable Grants Committee, helping it decide on the grants to be awarded and the amount allocated. The Committee meets three times a year.

The Company’s Priorities:

Supporting offenders into work

Many offenders and ex-offenders suffer from a variety of difficult, complex problems and are amongst the most vulnerable members of society. Whilst we fund a variety of work that addresses the social and economic problems faced by this group, our current priority is to support those looking to build skills and capability to get into sustainable work.

Helping specific groups within the criminal justice sector

We recognise that certain sectors within the criminal justice sector are less popular with funders than others. We are committed to supporting charities working with such groups.

Supporting young people

We are keen to support projects that work specifically with young people involved with the Criminal Justice System to ensure they are given every possible chance to realise their full potential and to participate fully in society, rather than general youth development projects. We normally define young people as being aged16-25 years.

Examples of Projects we have supported

Applying for a Grant

Application Guidelines

Please read these Guidelines carefully and only apply if your work falls within our priorities.

View guidelines

Apply now

Download the application form, complete and then post it to The Weavers' Company, together with your supporting documents.

Apply now

Our Work

OutFits

OutFits is a charity which works directly with prisons and approved premises to help the transition of released prisoners back into civilian life by sourcing everyday clothing from completed film and television productions

Give a Book

Give a Book is a charity dedicated to promoting books and the pleasure of reading in the hardest places. Our main work is in prisons, schools and with disadvantaged children. We see again and again how reading changes people’s lives.

Growing for Good

The Glasshouse is a social enterprise offering second chances through horticultural training to women based in UK prisons. They harness the power of botanics to make work and living spaces greener, healthier and more inviting.

Previous Grants

All the details of the Company’s Charitable activities can be found on the Charity Commission website, the link is below. The Benevolent Fund not only covers the Charitable Grants but also the support given to the Almshouses, Primary Schools and to the Textile Industry. The amount awarded in total each year depends on the income the Company receives from its investments portfolio, this can vary from year to year.

Weavers Benevolent Fund - Charity Commission