Henry Smith Charity

The Henry Smith Charity is an independent grant making trust. We aim to use our resources to help people and communities at a time of need and to bring about positive change.

The Charity was founded in 1628 by Henry Smith, a businessman working in the City of London. Since then, we have honoured the spirit of Henry Smith’s will, working to combat disadvantage and meet the challenges and opportunities facing people in need throughout the UK. Today, The Henry Smith Charity is amongst the largest independent grant makers in the UK, distributing £39.8 million in 2020.

Our grant holders are at the core of our mission and work. For us, achieving results depends on their work and, as a grant making trust, we can only be as effective as the organisations that we fund.

Our network of 40+ Volunteer Visitors play a vital role in visiting organisations who have successfully reached the second stage of applying for funding through our two main grant programmes, Improving Lives and Strengthening Communities.