We recognise and encourage excellence through a programme of awards and provide support in kind through giving time, passing on skills and utilising the wealth of experience within the Company.
Our charitable giving is mainly in the form of three-year grants ranging from £1,000 to £30,000 per annum. We make some small one-off donations of £1,000 or less.
There is also a number of small and ancient charities that we have supported in various ways for centuries and although we no longer give lumps of coal to the poor, we do still provide claret to the Queen’s Body Guard.
Our priorities
Most of our giving today is focused on young people, education, training and employment, with a particular emphasis on science, technology, engineering and maths.
In 2012, thanks to the success of our 550th anniversary appeal, we were able to embark on an association with Greig City Academy in North London and launch several new scholarships and bursaries, and we also now support two other schools; Cubitt Town Primary School on the Isle of Dogs, and The Halley Academy in Greenwich. Other areas supported include conservation and heritage, charities within the City of London, military charities and those sponsored by individual Freemen and Liverymen of the Company.
As a general rule we do not donate to national charities, individuals or organisations whose work is outside our priority areas.