Small Charities Programme

General Guidance for Applicants

The Trustees are looking to build longer term relationships with the small charities they choose to support.  Typically they award grants of £3,000 per annum for three years, ie a total of £9,000. 

Applicants are advised to indicate clearly how such a series of small grants will be of significant benefit.  The impact of the grant should be measurable. The Trustees need to be convinced that such a grant will provide meaningful support for a particular cost or project area, and it will have discernible impact. They will consider requests for funding for specific projects or for core costs. At the end of the grant period you will be asked to make a final report to demonstrate the impact of the grant. 

You can read more about our current Small Charity Partners here.

Engagement

The Trustees envisage building a supportive relationship with charities in receipt of grants.  This could take the form of visits to the charity, invitations to report at meetings of the Trustees, opportunities to attend events at Armourers’ Hall.  Applicants should understand the value of such engagement and be enthusiastic partners.

Eligibility

Applicants should: 

• be charities registered in the UK (with the Charity Commission of England Wales, the Scottish Charity Regulator or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland)
• be operating either throughout the UK (ie not regionally) or in London (defined as within the M25). 
• have had income below £500,000 in the last financial year for which full accounts are available
• be operating in one of the following categories: Community or Armed Forces; Children, Youth or General Education; Health or Medical; the Arts, Arms or Armour.

Exclusions

Applicants should not: 

• be applying for general maintenance, repair or restoration of buildings
• be applying for sponsorship as individuals
• be applying for the benefit of an individual
• be applying for charities or projects outside the UK.

Applications Process and Timetable

The usual applications process is as follows:

• Applications are made via the online application form
• initial shortlisting is undertaken by staff members
• review of shortlist by Trustees
• Staff or trustees may request to visit shortlisted applicants
• Shortlisted applicants are interviewed at Armourers' Hall

Applications will only be considered if submitted via the online application form. You will be asked some questions to verify your eligibility before you can access the full form.  As part of the application process you will be asked to upload your most recent financial statements. If you are a new charity and do not yet have audited accounts, you should upload your budget and/or business plan for the year.  If your accounts show a substantial cash balance you may wish to explain why this is the case.

The timetable for the next round of applications has not yet been determined.  Please check this page regularly for further information.