Applying for a Grant
Grants from the Drapers’ Charitable Fund improve the quality of life and aspirations of people and communities, particularly those who are socially excluded or disadvantaged. We give most of our grants to charities in Greater London, where we have our historical roots, for projects in education and social welfare. Honouring our heritage, we also fund projects to do with the textile industry, textile conservation, military heritage and the history of London.
Our Charities Committee, made up of members of the Drapers’ Company, meets regularly to decide on grants. Members bring a wide range of current expertise to bear on our decision-making, backed by the Company’s six centuries’ experience of the art of giving. If your project meets any of the following criteria, we look forward to hearing from you.
We’re keen to raise aspirations and help young people in Greater London to realise their full potential through projects that:
support NEET young people into education, training or sustainable employment; or
improve the essential skills of disadvantaged young people to deliver a demonstrable impact on their progression into education, training or employment; or
support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to increase their academic attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy, or to continue or further their education; or
improve the wellbeing, resilience, self-esteem and engagement of young people.
We help programmes in Greater London which support homeless people, those who are vulnerably housed or otherwise at risk of homelessness. Our grants:
support to enable people to gain or maintain stable accommodation;
enabling people to develop the skills to live independently and/or move towards employment or training;
Day Centres offering shelter and basic services.
Because we believe everyone deserves hope and encouragement, we give grants to all kinds of projects delivered in prisons, “through-the-gate” and to ex-offenders in the community, if they:
projects should improve the employability opportunities for offenders or ex-offenders; or
support rehabilitation, particularly through the provision of education and training opportunities; or
re-build family relationships or provide support services to prisoners’ families.
Our affiliations with the armed forces make us keen to support:
the rehabilitation of wounded, injured or sick ex-services personnel, particularly into training or employment
improve the welfare, health and wellbeing of ex-service personnel in need.
Responding to essential human need has always been a priority for the Drapers’ Company. We are pleased to consider projects that:
supporting people to overcome hardship eg food redistribution services and projects addressing food poverty, debt advice, support to help people remain in their homes;
community or family support services eg, community centres, befriending/advice services to develop positive family relationships;
older people eg befriending services, day centre services, or projects helping beneficiaries to continue to live independently in their own homes.
We are pleased to fund projects that improve the quality of life for adults with sensory impairment, mental health needs or learning difficulties.
Our historical associations are important to us so we are pleased to fund:
textile conservation projects particularly where textiles are of national importance and on public display
projects that develop textile-related skills and innovations
projects that support young people’s entrance into and success within the textile industry
memorials, monuments and museum projects related to the armed forces, the history of London or the textile trade.
You will need to send us a detailed proposal document explaining what your organisation does, how you intend to spend the money, and your most recent financial accounts and trustees’ report, together with a completed application summary sheet.
Please read the DCF Grant Eligibility & Application Guidelines before completing your application.
Download Application Summary Sheet
Applications should be submitted by email to charities@thedrapers.co.uk
Grants are conditional on applicants having written safeguarding policies and procedures in place relating to child protection, vulnerable adults and any other issues relating to the welfare of the charity’s beneficiaries.
You can apply at any time of the year. Our Charities Committee meets five times a year and applications will normally be considered at the next meeting following submission, providing they are received at least four weeks before the date of the meeting.
However, this is dependent upon the number of applications received and it cannot be guaranteed that an application will be considered at a particular meeting.
The next meeting dates are:
30 September 2025
2 December 2025
24 February 2026
28 April 2026
23 June 2026
There is no minimum or maximum grant. Grants are normally awarded for sums up to £25,000 but larger grants may be awarded.
