Between the 15th and 18th centuries the Mercers’ Company was entrusted with a number of charitable gifts and bequests from Members and other benefactors. In the 20th century the Mercers' Company established two more charitable trusts and a charitable housing association.
The Charities and the Mercers' Company participate in the Philanthropy Framework which aims, through the funding programmes and the philanthropic work of the charities it funds to relieve disadvantage and enable people to lead a fulfilling life.
Established: by the Mercers' Company in 1983
Registered Charity No. 326340
The Foundation's primary source of income is donations from the Company and it has wide charitable purposes. Currently it contributes to the four main funding programmes within the Philanthropy Framework (Church & Communities (C&C), Older People & Housing (OP&H), Young People & Education (YP&E) and Heritage & Arts (H&A)).
Established: 1423
Registered Charity No. 1087167
Richard Whittington (c.1354–1423) bequeathed his entire estate to charity. His executors founded an almshouse, now known as Whittington College, next to his parish church, St Michael Paternoster Royal. It relocated to Highgate in the 19th century and then to its present location in East Grinstead in Surrey in 1966. Today it provides 74 homes for older people. Lady (Jane) Mico (d.1670) left funds to the Company to found an almshouse for elderly women. Lady Mico’s Almshouse in Stepney is now part of the Charity of Sir Richard Whittington.
As well as providing almshouses, the Charity is established to relieve need and is a major grantmaker. It supports the Church & Communities (C&C), Older People & Housing (OP&H) and Young People & Education (YP&E) funding programmes.
Established: 1614
Registered Charity No. 210291
Founded in 1614 by Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton (1540-1614) Trinity Hospital Greenwich opened in 1617. A new Garden Building providing 31 sheltered housing flats was opened in 2007 in the south end of the grounds. The original building was refurbished in 2011 to convert its 21 small bedsits into 10 modern one bedroom flats. Trinity Hospital in Shotesham, Norfolk, opened in 1885, was refurbished in 2009 as part of the same programme and provides six cottages. The Earl also founded almshouses at Castle Rising in Norfolk and Clun in Shropshire. Although independent, the charity makes annual grants to both.
The Charity is established to relieve need and supports the Church & Communities (C&C) and Older People & Housing (OP&H) funding programmes.
Established: 1983
Registered Charity No. 1172263
In 1983 the MCHA was formed to provide sheltered accommodation for elderly people in Inner London. It converted to a charitable company limited by guarantee on 28 June 2016. Two housing schemes were opened in the 1990s; Mercers’ House in Islington (1991) and Priory House in Clerkenwell (1997) – between them they provide 49 one and two bedroom flats.
Established: 1994 to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the grant of the Company’s first Charter in 1394 and the first mastership of Richard Whittington in 1395.
Registered Charity No. 1051146
The charity is supported by legacies and donations from Members and staff of the Mercers’ Company. Donations are added to the Charity’s investments, the income from which is awarded in grants to charities chosen by the membership.
Established: 1509
Registered Charity No. 312749
The charitable object of the Foundation is ‘to promote in Greater London the education of boys and girls and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, to assist in the conduct and maintenance of schools in or near Greater London. The Foundation supports the Young People & Education funding programme which makes grants to the associated schools and colleges and other organisations in Greater London for educational initiative. The two St Paul’s Schools became separate registered charities in 2007 but have a long shared history with the Foundation and still receive funding from the Foundation.
Established: 1984
Registered Charity No. 1091658
The Trust has wide charitable purpose including, but not limited to, the advancement of education and the relief of need to former pupils of the Mercers’ School.
View the 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements
Lady Campden’s Money Legacy for Loans
Established: 1961
Registered Charity No. 1091658-2
The Charity’s object is to make loans or grants to adults requiring financial assistance to enable them to enter a chosen profession, trade or calling. There is a preference for loans or grants to be awarded to Freeman of the Mercers’ Company
Old Mercers’ Benevolent Fund (OMBF)
Established: 1980
Registered Charity No. 1091658-1
OMBF was established to support former pupils or masters at Mercers’ School or their wives, widows, children or other dependants and whose circumstances mean they need charitable relief.