History of Grant Giving Charities
Bristol Charities has, over the years, administered endowment funds on behalf of a number of Charities.
In 1973, 2001 and 2015 the Charity received Charity Commission permission to “pool” or consolidate a number of charities and today the Charity delivers its grant giving programme through four main areas. It is important, however, to recognise and remember those individuals and benefactors who have contributed to the rich history of Philanthropy and Charitable Support, both within the charity and also in Bristol. Their legacy has made a significant contribution to shaping the City and making it the vibrant, thriving community it is today.
Description of Grant Giving Charities
Merchant Tailors Charity
1399
Pensions and accommodation for Tailors or widows of tailors
Dr George Owen's Charity
1553
Pensions and accommodation for poor men
Alderman Thomas Chesters Charity
1582
General relief of poor people in the parish of St John and the relief of residents in St James Almshouse
Alderman Robert Kitchen’s Charity
1594
Grants to poor kindred of the founder certain ecclesiastical charities or incumbents poor people of Bristol, Freeman or widows of Freemen
1600
Thomas Holbyn's Charity
1619
On St Thomas' day payments would be made to the poor people of the parish of St Thomas Bristol. In addition a yearly sermon would be preached on that day at St Thomas church
The Rev Dr Thomas White’s Charity for Marriage patrons
1622
Preference was given to young women on marriage
Rev Dr Thomas White Grays Inn Lane Trust also Essex Estates
1622
The Building of an ecclesiastical College and Almshouse within the City of London - to house 20 people - 4 from Bristol
The Sion Hospital Pensions
1623
Pensions to the poor of Bristol or elsewhere who through age, infirmity or illness are in need
Mr Edward Coxs Charity
1627
Charitable purposes for poor apprentice boys decayed handicraftmen especially within the parish of St Phillips
Humphrey Browns Charity for the poor of the Parish of Iron Acton
1629
For the poor of the Parish of Iron Acton
Alderman George Harringtons Charity
1638
For Freeman of the City or their widows
Alderman Joseph Jackson’s Charity
1658
Weekly payments to poor housekeepers
1700
Francis Fullers Charity
1705
Those in need in the Parish of St Philip and St Jacob Bristol
Sarah Ridley Pension Charity
1716
To build Ridley Almshouse and later to pay pensions to poor persons and of the Protestant religion
The Rev Dr Charles Sloper Charity
1727
For bibles for poor people and also funds for poor people within the City of Bristol
Sir Abraham Elton’s Charity
1727
Preference for the residents of St Werburghs
Mrs Ann Thurstons Charity
1756
Poor lying-in women, wives of Freeman of the City of Bristol
Bristol Dispensary & Relief in Sickness Charity & A J Williams Memorial Charity
1775
For relief in sickness of residents within 10 miles of the city centre
Bristol & District Nursing Association
1775
Institution located in College Green
Miss Ann Casa Majors Charity
1778
Payment made to the rector of St Stephen’s Church
John Merlotts Charity for the Blind
1784
Pensions to blind people resident in Great Britain over 50 years of age
1800
Bristol Female Misericordia Society
1800
For the relief of the sick and married women in child birth
Miss Elizabeth Ludlow’s Charity
1805
Widows or daughters of Freeman of the City of Bristol
Samuel Gist’s Charity
1808
To maintain men, women, boys and girls at Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital and Red Maids School
Richard Reynolds II Charity
1809
To make grants to certain named institutions or other charitable objects
Clifton Dispensary
1812
An institution for persons who had no other means of seeking medical assistance
Thomas Bonville’s Charity for poor housekeepers
1817
Housekeepers, resident in Bristol
Richard Hughes Educational Charities
1819
Income distributed to Strangers Friend Society, Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital and Red Maids School
Thomas Bonville Charity for poor residents
1822
Preference for people regularly attending Divine Worship
Mrs Mary Ann Peloguin’s Charity
1836
Preference for lying-in women particularly wives of Freeman of the City and residents in the Parish of St Stephens
Richard Reynolds Charity
1836
Income to Almshouse Charities
Red Lodge Reformatory Fund
1854
Grants to Institutions or Societies in or near Bristol to rescue and care for criminal or neglected girls and young women
Bristol Guild of the Handicapped Trust
1866 -1923
To meet the needs of physically handicapped children and younger men
Edmund Lanes Charity
1871
Preference for traders or former traders
Bristol Medical Missionary Society
1872
Dispensary at 7 Redcross St to render free medical aid to the poor and to work to reclaim those who had fallen into evil ways
Lady Sarah Haberfields Charity
1875
Payments to poor married women who were not receiving poor law relief
Read Dispensary Fund
1876
Grants to sick women and children of Bristol who are referred by their doctors
Mary Carpenter Memorial
1877
For the benefit of poor girls and boys in Bristol
Shirehampton Temperance Society
1882
To further the cause of temperance in Shirehampton and other charitable purposes in Shirehampton
The Edward Phillips Trust
1885
The relief or deserving needy persons either by gifts, apprentancy boys and girls to learn trades or by granting assistance to widows
Miss Hanah Marriott’s Trust
1887
Annuities to women of good character in needy circumstances over 50 years of age
Miss Margaret Edgars Charity
1893
Preference for spinsters not less than 50 years of age
Webbs Home Trust
1898
Relief of need for residents in Bristol
1900
Alice Cole Charity for Poor Householders. Alice Cole Charity for the poor of the Parish of St James. Alice Coles Educational Foundation
1904
For the poor of Bristol. Churchwarden of the Parish of St James. A free school for poor children
Alderman John Whitsons charities for poor women in childbirth and lying-in women. Poor householders and poor widows
1905
Preference given to lying-in women and poor men over the age of 50
Mrs Catherine Mary Castle’s Trust
1905
Preference for women who are resident in Bristol or in the counties of Gloucestershire or Somerset being members of the Church of England
Miss Ellen Marrott’s Charity
1910
Preference for women
Furber Fund Furber
1912
Creation of a housing charity
Ministers Fund
1912
Income towards salary of the minister of Wesley Memorial Church and Sunday School Christmas party
Furber Poor Fund
1912
Distribution of coal to poor persons of Bryant’s Hill
Charity of William Barrow
1916
Preference for widows with children, particularly those living in the Totterdown or Bedminster districts
Leir Fund
1917
Assist soldiers born in Bristol who were wholly or partially blinded in the First World War. Grants towards the cost of rods or equipment for apprentices
Reginald Williams Memorial
1921
Payments to Bristol Sailors Home for old or disabled sailors in Bristol, also to assist young men to become marine engineers
Henry Herbert Wills Trust
1922
For poor deserving persons
Mrs M S Phillips Annuitants & Augustus Phillips Charity
1927
Preference for widows or spinsters over 55 years of age
Soldiers Corner Arnos Vale Cemetery
1927
Upkeep and maintenance of graves and memorial in Arnos Vale Cemetery
Hooks Mills Educational Foundation
1930
To assist students by means of grants scholarships and bursaries. Making grants for the purpose of religious and secular education
Sailors College Charity
1937
Preference for sailors connected with the port of Bristol or widows or daughters of such sailors
William Emmett Habgood Charity
1941
Preference for men over 50 years of age particularly those who are or were tradesmen or shop keepers of Bristol
L E & J Yeadon Charity
1956
To assist in the life of poor persons in Bristol and district being (a) spastics (b) over 60 years of age or (c) children under 18
Charity of Edith Louisa Garlick
1959
Preference for women over 50 years of age
James Yeadon Charity
1963
For persons over 60 years of age or young persons under 18 years of age
Bristol Humane Society
1967
For the maintenance of life buoys in Bristol and then later, to provide grants to organisations connected with the encouragement of swimming - life saving at sea and youth activities
Miss Hannah Ludlow’s Charity
1973
For the benefit of women of respectable character and position, but impoverished by unavoidable circumstances
Westbury on Trym Consolidated Charities
1974
Payments to those in need
Bishop Memorial Fund
1977
To benefit people at Trinity Hospital South (John Barstaple House) in relief or sickness, to help relatives to visit or in other ways
Hall Houghton’s Charity
1977
For relief in sickness of residents in parishes of St Barnabus and St Werburgh
Bristol Lying in Charity
1978
Income divided between 15 parishes to make grants to poor mothers
Bristol Migration Charity
1979
To aid poor people resident in Bristol to migrate
George Thomas Fund
1980
Grants to Bristol residents aged under 25, for education including fees, scholarships, special clothing or tools required for training
Bristol Shipping Staff Charity
1983
For the relief of needy persons, or their dependents, employed in or retired from shipping - building, broking or reparing industries within a 10 mile radius of Bristol city centre. To promote education in matters relating to the shipping industry in the same area
John Pearce’s Charity
Not known (1983)
Paid to the Diocese of Bristol
2000
Jackson Roeckel Teachers Association
Not known
Annuities to bona fide teachers who may have been reduced in circumstances
Barry T Jones Fund
2003
To provide grants to charitable independent schools engaged in secondary education within the City and County of Bristol
Ella Mary Merchant Fund
2003
Grants to women and men responsible for the care of the elderly or infirm relatives
“I cannot thank you enough for helping me get a proper bed. I have been on a camp bed for 5 weeks. I have a spinal problem…that has got worse. Today I got an orthopedic three quarter bed, with a nice metal frame. It is so comfortable. Thank you so much. I medically needed a bed and I am looking forward to sleeping in comfort.
With gratitude.”
— Ms R. R - Grant recipient
Dear Sir, Madam and all who do the magnificent work at Bristol Charities,
You recently donated £120 to my mother, who has a damaged spine and neck; making sleeping very painful.
I got a memory foam from Bristol Bed Maker with other funds to make up the shortfall. It is wonderful!!! Thank you so much it really makes a difference!
— Mr G. B
Thanking you very much for the carpet you supplied to me. After many months of homelessness, I am now settled in my new flat.
Your generosity and kindness has helped me greatly and the contractors did a great job. Once again, Thank you.
— Mr R. M
Thank you to Bristol Charities and supplier for the Russel Hobbs oven which is brill! I had my first roast dinner this week.
Well done and I hope I can give back one day.
— Mr R. A