The Campden Charities is a local, independent, grant giving trust. We are not a fundraising charity. Our funds derive from a number of endowments, the first of which was made by Viscount Campden in 1629. If you want to know in more detail about our history and how the Charities is managed follow this link: About us.

As a permanently endowed trust the real value of our assets must be maintained and the income generated from them used for our charitable purpose. We gave almost £2.2 million in grants last year. The aim of our grants is to alleviate need arising from financial disadvantage exclusively within the area of Kensington.

We think that the best way to address financial disadvantage is to help families and individuals to become financially independent. We try to do this by encouraging people to take up education and training that will help them into employment. Many of the people that we would like to help find themselves facing obstacles that prevent them from taking the first step. There are a number of ways that we can assist people to overcome those obstacles by providing appropriate funding to help them progress.

The help that we give is not restricted to a single payment. We want to continue to help people until their circumstances change; this may mean making a number of grants, sometimes over a period of years.

We want to help families with individuals who are looking for work. We can fund child care, course fees, training materials and many other things that might help to gain employment or improve prospects.

We particularly want to help young people under the age of 25 from low-income families to make the most of education and training opportunities. We may be able to give financial assistance with course fees and other expenses to young people attending university or vocational training.   

We also offer help to those people of retirement age who have to manage on low incomes.

If you are an individual or part of a family on low income or benefits and you would like to know more about any of the programmes mentioned follow this link: Individuals interested in applying.

We are keen to work with other not for profit organisations that support and refer those Kensington residents who we want to help. If you are part of an organisation that works with low income residents of Kensington you may be providing services that we will help to fund. If you are interested in working in partnership with us follow this link: Not for profit partners.