Please use the links below.

Sir Robert Geffrey's Trust

Sir Robert Geffery was twice Master of the Company and was Lord Mayor of London in 1685. Born in the village of Landrake in Cornwall, he died in London in 1704 having made his fortune in overseas trade. He left a substantial endowment for almshouses which were built in Shoreditch, east London. These were sold in 1910 to London County Council and now house the Geffrye Museum. The Company then built new almshouses at Mottingham in Kent , which in turn were sold, in 1972, to the Greater London Council.

Today the Trust owns two almshouses in Hampshire, one at Hook built in 1976 and enlarged in 1987 and one at Basingstoke which was opened in 1984. These provide sheltered housing for 125 retired people of limited means. There are resident Wardens at both Homes, with the overall management carried out from Ironmongers' Hall.

Sir Robert Geffery's School, Landrake

The Trust also owns a Church of England voluntary aided primary school and a pre-school at Landrake in Cornwall. It has been rebuilt recently to a high standard to accommodate up to 180 children. The Company appoints six Foundation Governors.

Please use this link to view their web site: www.sir-robert-gefferys.cornwall.sch.uk

Thomas Betton's Trust

Thomas Betton, a merchant venturer and Ironmonger who died in 1723, bequeathed half the interest of his estate to redeem British slaves in Barbary and Turkey, one quarter to charity schools in London and one quarter for the relief of decayed freemen, their dependents and the Chaplain. Following the abolition of slavery the use of the half share was altered so that grants could be given to Church of England schools in England and Wales.

The Trust makes grants to Church of England voluntary aided schools for educational activities and resources. The company has bought a number of Presentations to Christ's Hospital and has two Presentations in perpetuity bequeathed by Thomas Hanbey in 1782. The Company also supports sixth form pupils at King Edward's School, Witley.

One quarter of Thomas Betton's charity is for schools in the dioceses of London and Southwark. From this income the company gives an annual grant to support two choristers at St Paul 's Cathedral School.

The Ironmongers' Foundation

The Ironmongers' Foundation (formerly Quincentenary Charitable fund) was established in 1963 to mark the 500th anniversary of the granting of the Company's charter by King Edward IV. It has steadily increased in value by gifts of money from the Company and its freemen.

In addition to relief in need, the funds are used to foster the Company's connection with the iron and steel trade. Grants are made to the materials departments of Birmingham, Cambridge, Manchester, Oxford and Sheffield Universities and to Imperial College, London. They are used at the discretion of the heads of the department to support and encourage students engaged in research in iron and steel. 

In 1977 the Company set up a Jubilee Award for the foundry industry to commemorate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. An annual prize consisting of a medal and attendance at the World Foundry Congress, is given to a person aged under thirty two who has produced the best piece of development work in the ferrous foundry industry. The winner is selected with the help of the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers.

The Company encourages the study of ironwork through student bursaries at colleges of further education. Grants are also made to organisations for the restoration of historic ironwork and the creation of new decorative iron and steel work.