Charity, along with Education and Fellowship, is one of the fundamental principles of the Worshipful Company of Butchers. Indeed, the Livery Companies of the City of London are renowned for making charitable contributions to organisations supporting individuals less fortunate than ourselves.
Revenue is derived from the General Charity administered by the Company and allocated in line with our agreed strategy. Two main beneficiaries, currently Teach First and Farms For City Children, are funded on a three year cycle with a number of minor awards are also made during any given year.
The strategy includes a commitment for Liverymen to try to engage with the individual charity to seek to enhance the financial contribution with hands on business advice and introductions along with other forms of support.
Feedback suggests that this element of commitment is very much welcomed by the charities.
2018 saw the introduction of a donation to a Children's Hospice with Noah’s Ark, in North London, being the recipient. We aim to repeat the award each year and Liverymen will be invited to nominate individual beneficiaries each year.
Policy and Criteria
The Policy of the Worshipful Company of Butchers (WCB) is to support selected charities with awards using the investment income generated in each financial year (after governance costs). Due to the limited income generated the Policy is that two (but no more than 3) charities are beneficiaries of Major Awards and a number of Minor Awards should also be made.
The following criteria are guidelines for the Charity Committee when considering the beneficiaries of Awards. The criteria are divided into essential and desirable and it is suggested that 3-4 essential criteria need to be met before supporting a particular charity is agreed.
The next application process for Major Awards 2026-2028 will begin in Spring 2025.
Essential Criteria - Major Awards
- A limited number of charities to be supported with meaningful sums which should be in the region of £20,000 per annum plus any additional sums during the period of award as may be available subject to the overall funds available and other commitments.
- Annual donations are linked to investment income generated1. Support should be provided for a period of at least 3 years2.
- WCB should have a demonstrable relationship with the charity eg WCB providing practical engagement as well as financial support but it is recognised that the work of some Charities may preclude this.
- The Charity should provide accreditation of WCB that enhances the profile of WCB.
Desirable Criteria for Major Awards
- Preferred charities to have nationwide rather than London centric activities.
- Dependent on successful relationships consideration should be given to extending the initial period of three years.
- Potential reciprocity, if appropriate, should be sought through hire of Butchers’ Hall and/or involvement and acknowledgement of WCB through PR and other events.
- The administrative expenses of the charity should be reviewed and considered reasonable in the context of the scope and size of the charity.
Essential Criteria - Minor Awards
- Minor Awards will be made to a limited number of good causes with which the WCB is linked and represented.
- Minor Awards will be reviewed annually but can be expected to be repetitive due to the nature of the “good cause”. In that respect the Charity Committee will receive guidance from the Clerk.
- Minor Awards are as much a commitment as Major Awards and must be considered simultaneously against the funds available for distribution.
- Minor charities, such as hospices, do not necessarily require to have a national footprint.
1 In times of plenty donations can be increased or additional charities can be selected. In reduced times commitments may have to be reduced. Available funds are agreed at the start of the financial year and must be periodically reviewed in each financial year before additional commitments are made. It is therefore preferable not to identify maximum commitments at the beginning of each year.
2 The number of extension years will need to be considered on a case by case basis.
How can charities apply to the WCB for donations and support?