The Drapers' Company
650 years ago, a group of woollen cloth merchants came together to support each other and further their trade. As trade flourished, supporting fellow Drapers and others in need became increasingly central to the Company’s purpose.
Drapers left money to the Company for schools, almshouses and the relief of their fellows who had fallen on hard times. By managing these endowments well and being good charity governors, our predecessors inspired others to leave trusts and charities to our care.
With several centuries of philanthropy behind us, the art of giving is now our raison d’etre. Our distinctive approach involves harnessing the collective power of our community of members. The Company gives them opportunities to share their expertise with causes they believe in and supports their volunteering with rigorous governance. Members also help to manage our endowments with care and vision, supporting grant-making that can afford to take the long view.
Above all, we try to listen, understand and collaborate with our beneficiaries as partners. We make our networks their networks. We focus on the causes and the people, not the limelight or the latest trend.
Like our predecessors, we believe in helping people in disadvantaged circumstances to have hope and find their way in the world. That is why 60% of our support goes into education and training, and the rest to prisoners, homeless people, ex-service personnel, those with disabilities, and people in need of food, clothes and shelter.
As you might expect of the Drapers’ Company, we also fund projects to do with the textile industry, textile conservation, military heritage and the history of London.
All Grants
Through this fund, we aim to improve the quality of life and expectations of people and communities in Greater London who are disadvantaged and socially excluded. If you are a charity working in education and training, social welfare (homelessness, prisoners and veterans) or in textiles and heritage, we may be able to help you.
Educational Grants
Sir William Boreman (c1612- 86) was a clerk to Charles II and oversaw the relandscaping of Greenwich park. In 1672 he founded a school in Greenwich which he bequeathed to the Drapers’ Company along with land and property. The school no longer exists but we use Sir William’s endowment to promote the education of young people from low-income or otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds in Greenwich and Lewisham.
Educational Grants
This fund, originating from an endowment left to the Drapers’ Company in 1540 by a wealthy businessman, makes grants to schools, colleges and charities that relieve hardship, enhance education and broaden horizons for young people under 25 in North Wales.
Through this fund, we aim to improve the quality of life and expectations of people and communities in Greater London who are disadvantaged and socially excluded. If you are a charity working in education and training, social welfare (homelessness, prisoners and veterans) or in textiles and heritage, we may be able to help you.
Watch the video
Provides hands‑on training and real industry experience to help young people build practical creative skills.
£3.6m
£10,000
18
The Drapers’ Company is deeply committed to supporting education and broadening opportunities for young people across the UK.
We have a broader range of involvement with some 30 schools, colleges, conservatoires and universities across the UK, affiliated to the Company through historical connection.
Alongside the outreach work of our members to these establishments—through governance, mentoring, and career guidance—we provide targeted financial support, including hardship funds, scholarships, leaving prizes, and grants for educational equipment, to ensure all students have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of background.
We also support youth charities that provide opportunities, guidance, and stability to those facing disadvantage or adversity.
From education and training to mentoring and employment support, our funding helps young people build confidence, develop skills, and create brighter futures.
Our support reflects a long-standing belief: that education is a powerful driver of change, and that every young person deserves the chance to realise their potential.
Spear is a youth employability charity working with young people aged 16–24 who are not....
Creating Safe, Life‑Changing Opportunities for Young People Future Youth Zone in Barking & Dagenham —....
Tackling Inequality Through Careers Education MyBigCareer is a London-based charity working to bridge the opportunity....
empowers young people by teaching fine hand skills Overview of the Charity and Its Work....
200,000
The Drapers’ Charitable Fund champions welfare charities that offer vital support to people facing hardship. From housing and healthcare to food and emotional care, we fund organisations that improve lives through practical help and kindness.
We invest in prisoner rehabilitation initiatives—inside prisons, at release, and in the community—helping individuals overcome trauma and rebuild with dignity.
We also back veterans’ charities, aiding ex-Service personnel in recovery, employment, and adjusting to civilian life—ensuring no veteran is left behind.
Through targeted funding and long-term commitment, the Drapers aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals across the UK.
Supporting Young Men to Build Stable, Hopeful Lives After Prison Switchback is an award‑winning London....
A Charity Saving the Lives of Men in Suicidal Crisis James’ Place is a specialist....
Providing Lifelines and Pathways to Stability in South London Spires is a frontline charity supporting....
The Drapers’ Company continues to honour its historic association with the cloth trade through its charitable giving, championing textile and heritage causes alongside educational advancement.
Through the Drapers’ Charitable Fund, the Company supports textile conservation projects that safeguard and showcase textiles of national importance. This includes long-standing partnerships with institutions such as the Textile Conservation Foundation, whose alumni now lead conservation efforts in museums across the UK and internationally.
We also support fashion students through bursaries and partnerships with leading institutions—ensuring the next generation of designers and makers can thrive and carry forward Britain’s rich textile legacy.
The Making It in Textiles Conference is an annual two‑day event in Bradford that introduces....
The University of Leeds launched the BSc Textile Innovation & Sustainability in September 2024 in....
The Framework Knitters’ introductory training courses are designed to ‘fill the gap’ between university education....
‘Keeping Artisan Skills Alive’ is an initiative supporting students on the BA Fashion course at....
The Drapers' Company
The Drapers’ Almshouse Charity is proud to own and support almshouses in Greenwich and Southwark, London, continuing a tradition of care that stretches back more than 400 years. From the Drapers’ Company’s earliest charitable foundations in the 16th century to the well-managed estates we maintain today, almshouses remain at the heart of our mission to support people in need.
A Living Legacy
Almshouses have long been a part of the Drapers’ Company’s charitable identity. These residences were originally established to provide safe, dignified accommodation for people of limited means—an objective that remains unchanged. Today, through the work of The Drapers’ Almshouse Charity our almshouses continue to offer secure, affordable, and independent living in well-maintained environments that foster a strong sense of community.
Professional Stewardship
While the Drapers’ Almshouse Charity retains ownership of these properties, we work closely with The Trust Partnership—to ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly. Residents are supported not only with safe and affordable housing but also with opportunities to connect with their neighbours and participate in community life.
Our Ongoing Commitment
Providing almshouse accommodation is part of our broader charitable work, which also includes support for education, social welfare, and disadvantaged communities. We believe that everyone deserves to live with dignity and independence, and our almshouses are a direct expression of that belief.
Through careful stewardship, investment in maintenance, and a deep respect for tradition, the Drapers’ Company is committed to ensuring our almshouses remain safe, welcoming places for generations to come.
Almshouse
Walter’s Close is a peaceful and welcoming almshouse estate in Brandon Street, just off the Walworth Road in the London Borough of Southwark.
Almshouse
Queen Elizabeth College is a historic almshouse estate in Greenwich, South East London, providing high-quality accommodation for people in financial need. Founded in 1576 for the poor elderly residents of Greenwich, the College remains a key part of the Drapers’ Company’s ongoing commitment to charitable housing.
Almshouse
At the Drapers’ Company, philanthropy and fellowship go hand in hand. Where we give, we also seek to build relationships—and that spirit of connection is at the heart of the Friends of the Drapers’ Almshouses (FODAH).
FODAH is a group of around 20 dedicated volunteers, drawn from among our members, who play a vital role in strengthening the link between the Company and the residents of our almshouses. Their presence brings warmth, companionship, and a personal touch to the support we offer.
