Aldgate and Allhallows Foundation

Aldgate and Allhallows Foundation is an independent educational grant-making charity with origins in historic endowments from the parishes of Aldgate and Allhallows, administered by The Portal Trust since 1895 (https://aldgateallhallows.org.uk). Its core mission is to enhance life opportunities for young people under 30 from low-income, disadvantaged backgrounds—especially minorities and refugees with Indefinite Leave to Remain—who have been permanent residents for at least three years in the City of London or London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Guided by principles of equal educational access, social mobility, and barrier removal, it adopts an evidence-led, outcome-focused approach emphasizing individual need and measurable impact on attainment and progression.

The Foundation funds broadly interpreted educational initiatives, including undergraduate bursaries (notably at Queen Mary University of London), support for further/higher/postgraduate studies covering fees, living costs, books, and travel, plus organizational projects like school enrichment, curricular innovation, extracurricular opportunities, and social inclusion schemes that directly benefit eligible youth. It supports both individuals facing hardship and charities/schools delivering targeted interventions.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, academic institutions, and community groups with no formal income limits but preference for small-to-medium, grassroots organizations evidencing direct impact in the target boroughs; geographic focus is strictly on beneficiaries from these areas. Applications are unsolicited via online form on a rolling basis, with quarterly Governors' meetings (urgent cases expedited); typical organizational grants range £2,000–£25,000 (mostly £5,000–£15,000), individual bursaries £1,250–£5,000.

Exclusions cover retrospective costs, core/unrestricted funding, repeat years, private college/school fees, and statutory duties. Its distinctiveness lies in the hyper-local geographic remit, rigorous individual appraisals, historical independence, and dual support for people and projects advancing equity for the most disadvantaged youth.