The Henry Smith Charity stands apart from most funders through its commitment to providing long-term, flexible funding that builds organizational capacity rather than just supporting individual projects. As one of the UK's largest independent funders, they have supported over 1,000 organizations with grants ranging from £1,000 to £60,000 over three years.

What makes the Henry Smith Charity particularly valuable is their understanding that sustainable social change requires sustainable organizations. Their willingness to fund core costs and provide multi-year commitments makes them a crucial lifeline for many charities working with the most disadvantaged communities.

Understanding the Henry Smith Charity

Established in 1628, the Henry Smith Charity is one of the oldest charitable foundations in the UK. Their approach reflects centuries of learning about what works in charitable giving, combined with modern understanding of effective philanthropy.

Charity Overview

Annual giving: £30+ million
Number of grants: ~1,000 active at any time
Grant duration: Typically 3 years
Success rate: ~40%
Focus: Core funding and capacity building

Core Values and Approach

The charity's grantmaking is guided by several key principles:

Long-term thinking: Building sustainable organizations, not quick fixes
Flexible funding: Supporting what organizations need most
Trust-based approach: Believing in grantee expertise and judgment
Capacity building: Strengthening organizations alongside funding
Learning focus: Supporting innovation and sharing lessons

Grant Programmes 2025

The Henry Smith Charity operates several distinct programmes, each targeting different organizational needs and stages of development:

Main Grants Programme

The flagship programme supporting established charities working with disadvantaged groups:

Programme Details

• Grant size: £10,000 - £60,000 over 3 years
• Typical award: £35,000 over 3 years
• Focus: Core costs and capacity building
• Eligibility: Registered charities with income £100k - £3M
• Applications: By invitation only

Small Grants Programme

Supporting smaller, often volunteer-led organizations:

Programme Details

• Grant size: £1,000 - £10,000 over 3 years
• Typical award: £6,000 over 3 years
• Focus: Building organizational capacity
• Eligibility: Registered charities with income under £100k
• Applications: Open applications accepted

Strengthening Communities Programme

Targeted support for organizations in specific geographic areas or facing particular challenges:

Programme Details

• Grant size: £5,000 - £25,000 over 2-3 years
• Focus: Place-based community development
• Eligibility: Organizations in designated priority areas
• Additional support: Mentoring and capacity building
• Applications: Through partner organizations

What They Fund

The Henry Smith Charity has broad charitable interests but focuses particularly on organizations supporting people facing disadvantage:

Priority Groups

• People experiencing poverty
• Homeless individuals and families
• People with disabilities
• Mental health service users
• Ex-offenders and at-risk individuals
• Isolated older people
• Children and young people at risk
• Refugees and migrants

Types of Support

• Advice and advocacy services
• Community support and befriending
• Skills development and training
• Therapeutic and counseling services
• Housing and accommodation support
• Employment and enterprise support
• Family and relationship support
• Crisis intervention services

What They Won't Fund

The charity has clear exclusions to focus their impact:

Capital projects and building work
Individuals (except through established programmes)
Medical research or equipment
Environmental projects (unless community-focused)
Animals and wildlife protection
Arts projects (unless directly supporting disadvantaged groups)
Sports clubs and activities
Religious activities (worship or proselytizing)
Political campaigning or lobbying

Important: The charity prioritizes organizations working directly with people facing disadvantage. Service organizations that primarily work with other charities or professionals are less likely to be successful.

Eligibility Criteria

Understanding the detailed eligibility criteria can save significant time and ensure your application is viable:

Organizational Requirements

Legal status: Registered charity in England and Wales
Age: Must have been operating for at least 2 years
Geography: Working primarily in England and Wales
Accounts: Up-to-date with Charity Commission filing
Governance: Effective trustee board and management

Financial Requirements

The charity looks for organizations that are financially stable but genuinely need support:

Annual income typically between £25,000 and £3 million
Reserves policy that's appropriate to the organization's needs
Evidence of diversified funding sources
Clear financial management and reporting systems
No significant financial concerns or qualified audit

Service Requirements

Direct work with people facing disadvantage
Clear evidence of need for your services
Demonstrable impact and outcomes
Sustainable approach to service delivery
Commitment to learning and improvement

The Application Process

The application process varies by programme but generally emphasizes organizational capacity and sustainability over project-specific outcomes:

Main Grants (Invitation Only)

The main grants programme operates by invitation only, with applications commissioned through:

Proactive research by Henry Smith staff
Recommendations from trusted partners
Previous grantees reaching end of current funding
Organizations identified through capacity building work

Getting on Their Radar: While you can't apply directly, you can increase visibility by building relationships with other funders, joining relevant networks, and ensuring your work is well-documented and outcomes clearly demonstrated.

Small Grants Application Process

For small grants, the process is more accessible:

Stage 1: Initial Application

Complete online application form
Provide organizational information and accounts
Describe your work and funding needs
Submit supporting documents

Stage 2: Detailed Assessment

Due diligence on organizational capacity
Reference checks with other funders
Possible site visit or interview
Assessment against funding criteria

Stage 3: Decision and Award

Final decision by grants committee
Detailed feedback provided
Grant agreement and payment schedule
Monitoring and support arrangements

What Makes a Strong Application

Successful applications demonstrate organizational strength, clear impact, and sustainable approaches to addressing disadvantage:

1. Organizational Clarity and Purpose

Strong applications articulate clearly:

What problem you're solving and for whom
Why your approach is effective
How you measure and demonstrate impact
What makes your organization distinctive

Strong Organizational Description

"We support women experiencing domestic abuse in rural Shropshire, where traditional services are often inaccessible. Our mobile outreach service and trained volunteers provide confidential support directly in communities, reaching 150 women annually who would otherwise have no access to specialist help. Independent evaluation shows 89% of service users report improved safety and 72% access further support services."

2. Evidence of Need and Impact

The charity values evidence-based approaches:

Local data demonstrating need for your services
Clear outcomes and impact measures
User feedback and testimonials
Independent evaluation or assessment
Comparison with similar organizations or areas

3. Sustainable Operating Model

Sustainability is crucial for multi-year funding:

Diversified funding mix from multiple sources
Realistic fundraising strategy and track record
Appropriate reserves and financial management
Plans for building capacity and resilience
Clear governance and succession planning

4. Learning and Development Focus

The charity supports organizations committed to improvement:

Willingness to share learning and experience
Engagement with evaluation and reflection
Participation in networks and peer support
Openness to capacity building support

Success Stories and Lessons

Community Mental Health Support - £45,000

Organization: Small mental health charity in Bradford

Grant purpose: Core funding to develop peer support services

Why it succeeded:

• Clear evidence of gap in statutory mental health services
• Strong user involvement in service design and delivery
• Realistic growth plans with diversified funding strategy
• Measurable outcomes showing reduced hospital admissions
• Board with lived experience and professional expertise

Impact: Grew from supporting 50 to 200 people annually, with 78% showing improved mental health outcomes.

Youth Homelessness Prevention - £28,000

Organization: Housing charity in South Wales

Grant purpose: Capacity building for early intervention services

Why it succeeded:

• Partnership approach with schools and social services
• Evidence-based early intervention model
• Strong relationships with young people and families
• Cost-effectiveness compared to crisis interventions
• Plans for policy influence and system change

Impact: Prevented homelessness for 89% of young people supported, saving estimated £450,000 in crisis costs.

Common Challenges and How to Address Them

Challenge 1: Demonstrating Distinctiveness

Many organizations struggle to articulate what makes them unique. Address this by:

Identifying your specific approach or methodology
Highlighting particular expertise or relationships
Showing how you reach people others can't
Demonstrating innovation within your field

Challenge 2: Financial Sustainability Concerns

Funders worry about creating dependency. Strengthen your case by:

Showing diverse funding sources and successful fundraising
Demonstrating efficient service delivery
Having realistic reserves and contingency planning
Building earned income where appropriate

Challenge 3: Measuring Impact

Outcome measurement can be difficult but is essential:

Use validated measurement tools where available
Combine quantitative data with qualitative stories
Include user voice in evaluation design
Consider longer-term follow-up where possible

Working with Henry Smith Charity

The charity prides itself on being a supportive funder that builds long-term relationships:

During the Grant Period

Regular reporting (typically annual)
Site visits and relationship building
Access to capacity building support
Networking opportunities with other grantees
Flexibility to adapt work as circumstances change

Beyond Funding

Alumni network for former grantees
Ongoing relationship and advice
Support with finding alternative funding
Opportunities to influence policy and practice

Alternative Funding Sources

If Henry Smith Charity funding isn't available or appropriate, consider these alternatives:

Similar Core Funders

Trust for London: London-based poverty and inequality
Lloyds Bank Foundation: Complex social issues
Barrow Cadbury Trust: Social justice and change
Paul Hamlyn Foundation: Social justice and arts

Government and Statutory Sources

Clinical Commissioning Groups (health-related work)
Local authority grants and contracts
Police and Crime Commissioner funding
Department of Work and Pensions programmes

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get invited to apply for main grants?

Focus on building organizational reputation, documenting impact clearly, networking with other funders and sector organizations, and ensuring your work is visible through reports and case studies.

Can we reapply if unsuccessful?

Yes, but address the feedback received and show how your organization has developed. Most successful reapplications happen after addressing capacity or strategic issues identified in feedback.

Do they fund the same organization multiple times?

Yes, Henry Smith values long-term relationships. Many organizations receive multiple grants over many years, typically with gaps to allow for development and diversification of funding.

What support is available beyond funding?

The charity offers capacity building support, networking opportunities, evaluation guidance, and can connect grantees with other funders and resources relevant to their work.

Final Recommendations

The Henry Smith Charity represents one of the most valuable funding opportunities for organizations working with disadvantaged communities. Their focus on core funding and organizational development makes them particularly important for building sustainable charitable services.

Key Success Factors

Clear organizational purpose and evidence of impact
Strong financial management and sustainability planning
Direct work with people facing disadvantage
Commitment to learning, evaluation, and improvement
Effective governance and organizational development

Whether you're eligible for small grants or hoping to be invited for main grants, focus on building organizational capacity, demonstrating clear impact, and developing sustainable approaches to your work. The Henry Smith Charity invests in organizations, not just projects.

This guide reflects current Henry Smith Charity programmes and processes as of January 2025. Grant programmes and criteria can evolve, so always check their website for the most current information and application guidelines.