The Clothworkers’ Foundation funds UK-registered charities and not-for-profits engaged in capital projects
About the Organization
The Clothworkers’ Foundation improves the lives of people and communities – particularly those facing disadvantage and marginalisation – through grant making. The Foundation was set up in 1977 to be the primary vehicle of charitable giving for The Clothworkers’ Company.
Vision – An equitable society where all can participate and thrive.
Mission – We support charities and social businesses that work with marginalised and disadvantaged people and communities, and those working towards a more equitable society.
Approach – We support organisations that are meeting urgent needs, creating future opportunities, and building better systems. We learn from these organisations, and we share what we learn.
Funding Overview
Open Grants Programme
We award grants specifically to UK registered charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs), and other not-for-profit organizations, including special schools. The grants are designated for capital projects, which encompass:
- Buildings: Purchase, construction, renovation, or refurbishment.
- Fittings, Fixtures, and Equipment: This includes office equipment, sports equipment, digital/audio-visual equipment, and specialist therapeutic equipment (excluding medical). One-off use equipment or items permanently given to service users are not funded.
- Vehicles: Grants may cover minibuses, cars, caravans, and boats, but we generally do not fund the full cost of new vehicles or organizations with numerous vehicles already. We also do not fund vehicle leasing or community transport organizations.
Grant Size
We provide both large and small project funding, with the size of the grant depending on factors such as the organization’s size and the project’s scale. Applicants must demonstrate that their work fits within our specified programme areas and that at least 50% of the beneficiaries belong to those groups.
Open Grants Programme Areas
Our funding focuses on the following areas:
- Communities Experiencing Racial Inequalities
- Disabilities (Including Mental Health & Visual Impairment)
- Domestic and Sexual Abuse
- Economic Disadvantage
- Homelessness
- LGBT+ Communities
- Older People Facing Disadvantage
- Prison & Rehabilitation
- Substance Misuse & Addiction
- Young People Facing Disadvantage
Application Process
Eligibility Quiz
To apply, potential applicants must first complete our Eligibility Quiz. This will determine your eligibility for submission. Please note, we do not work with third-party agents for application submissions, and applications are assessed independently.
Application Access
You must finish the Eligibility Quiz to access the online application form. An unfinished application can be saved and returned to as needed. However, once submitted, it cannot be edited. You will receive a copy via email upon submission.
Assessment and Notification
Once submitted, your application goes to a designated Grants Officer, who will guide you through the assessment process. We aim to reach a decision within:
- Twelve weeks for grants/projects under £15,000
- Six months for grants over £15,000
While we will inform you if your application is unsuccessful, we regret that we cannot provide feedback due to resource limitations.
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