Glaziers Foundation

The Glaziers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass—a City of London Livery Company founded in the 14th century and chartered in 1638—advances education and public appreciation of historic and contemporary stained, painted, architectural, and structural glass. Its mission preserves glass heritage, fosters craft excellence, and promotes innovation through conservation, skilled training, and public access, guided by values of heritage safeguarding, knowledge transfer, artistic excellence, and sustainability. Distinctively, it blends ancient guild traditions with modern sectoral leadership via four committees: Glaziers’ Trust for stained glass restoration; London Stained Glass Repository for rescuing and rehoming windows globally; Craft and Competitions for awards like the Ashton Hill Awards and travelling scholarships; and relief for glass trade hardships.

It funds conservation in UK churches, cathedrals, and public buildings (England/Wales focus); educational placements and professional development for artists/conservators; knowledge dissemination via publications and museums; and international glass relocation. Key beneficiaries include the British Society of Master Glass Painters, Stained Glass Museum, and Vidimus journal, prioritising projects with high conservation standards, accredited practitioners, and partnership funding to leverage endorsements for larger efforts.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, favouring small-to-medium organisations like historic places of worship able to manage significant glass projects; no strict income limits, but no direct people/community support. Unsolicited applications are not accepted—phone enquiry or direct contact required first; conservation grants currently closed, while 2025 craft awards close 31 October. Typical grants (£250–£6,000) are partial/project-based, with no core/unrestricted funding, differentiating it through glass-specific expertise, international reach, and role as a convener inspiring sector-wide impact.