The Ironmongers’ Company wishes to support projects that provide opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people to fulfil their potential.

Who can apply?

Grants are only given to registered charities. Projects must meet all of the following criteria:

• For children and young people under the age of 25 who are disadvantaged.
• Consist of educational activities that develop learning, motivation, and skills.
• Have clear aims and objectives to be met within a planned timescale.
• Are within the UK.

What are the funding priorities?

The company is looking for projects that deliver clearly defined educational benefits to a specific group of children or young people. Items of equipment will be considered only where a full explanation is given of how they will support this activity.

The company is particularly interested in enabling primary-age children to develop a strong foundation for the future. Projects could, for example, support special educational needs, address behavioural problems or promote citizenship, parenting, or life skills. Preference will be given to projects piloting new approaches where the outcomes will be disseminated to a wider audience.

Further details of grants and how to apply

• Grants range from a few hundred pounds up to around £10,000. The average grant awarded is £4,000.
• Grants must be spent within twelve months from the date of the award.
• Recipients are expected to submit a written evaluation report within three months from the completion of the project.
• The Company’s support should make a recognisable difference, therefore preference will be given to requests where the grant would cover a significant element of the cost and to those from smaller organisations.
• The Company’s grant application form must be completed (click here to download).
• A description of the project of no more than three A4 pages, typed on one side of each sheet, should be provided.
• Please include the following headings:
  • aims and objectives of the organisation;
  • how the need for the work has been identified and why the project is the best way to address this;
  • a detailed description of the project and the activities that will take place;
  • the anticipated outcomes and the methods by which the success of the project will be evaluated;
  • a full breakdown of the costs involved, explaining how the figures have been calculated.

Is there a deadline?

• The Appeals Committee meets twice a year at the end of March and October.
• There are two rounds each year. The deadlines are 15 December and 31 July.

Further details on their website:

Read more on the Ironmongers’ Company website.

Further support:

• For any queries, please contact Ruth Eglesfield, Charities Assistant.
• If you would like further support from RVA with submitting a funding application or any support with governance required for your group to get ready for this funding, please email advice@rva.org.uk or telephone 0118 937 2273 for free and independent support and advice.