Spectacle Makers' Charity

The Spectacle Makers’ Charity, established in 2019 through the merger of historic trusts linked to the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (dating to 1629), is a UK-based grant-maker dedicated to enhancing lives affected by vision impairment while advancing optical education, research, and eye health. Rooted in a heritage of public benefit and professional standards in optometry, it emphasises relieving sight loss needs, fostering innovation in eye care, and promoting independence, access, and excellence for vision-impaired people of all ages, with a board dominated by liverymen and optometric experts ensuring sector-specific insight.

It funds discrete projects by UK-registered charities supporting vision-impaired wellbeing and independence; education/training/bursaries for early-career eye health professionals; small-scale research/pilot studies in vision science; and innovative access to sports, culture, employment, or global eye care training in low-resource areas (via UK charities). Beneficiaries include individuals entering optics, grassroots to medium-sized organisations demonstrating measurable impact, and initiatives yielding long-term benefits like preserved sight or enhanced participation.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities (small to medium-sized preferred, no strict income limits) operating UK-wide (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), with no religious restrictions; unsolicited applications welcome via online form. Typical grants range £500–£10,000 for projects, with bursaries at fixed amounts; next charity deadline is 26 November 2025 (open 20 October). Exclusions include non-vision-related activities, core/overhead funding, individual postgraduate research, or direct non-UK delivery. Distinctive for its optics heritage, blended individual/organisational support, and pioneering inclusion projects, it prioritises reportable outcomes and repeat funding for proven impact.