The Worshipful Company’s charitable work
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A key part of a livery company’s activities in the modern era is charitable giving. The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers has two charities: the Tax Advisers’ Benevolent Fund and the Tax Advisers’ Charitable Trust.
The Benevolent Fund
The Benevolent Fund was set up in 1995 by several CIOT presidents and Council members, conscious that the CIOT’s constitution does not allow it to offer financial support to members and their families in need. The fund therefore has two purposes: supporting tax advisers in need and supporting those seeking to take the exams of the CIOT and the ATT.
Both the institute and the association support the educational work with grants which, when combined with the Benevolent Fund’s investment income and donations from Company members, allowed the fund to support 17 people in the UK and overseas studying for tax qualifications in 2025-26. Mentoring is offered to CIOT students supported by the Benevolent Fund, as they may not have access to the usual support networks. The Benevolent Fund also supports activities that seek to widen access to the tax profession, as well as the CIOT’s Returners 2 Work initiative.
The Charitable Trust
The Charitable Trust makes grants to a wide range of charitable activities associated with tax and relevant to London. The largest grant goes to TaxAid, supporting those who need help with their tax affairs but cannot afford professional advice. The Livery Food initiative provides food to those in need in London. The Hackney Carriage Drivers’ annual trip to Disneyland Paris for disabled children and their carers is a longstanding beneficiary, as is the London Air Ambulance. The Charitable Trust also supports a wide range of cadet organisations and the Greater London Scouts, focusing on giving young people skills and purpose.
The trust also supports longstanding City charities, including the Lord Mayor’s Fund (which works with liveries, charities and schools to break down barriers, unlock potential and create career opportunities for Londoners who need it most), the Sheriffs and Recorders Fund (which supports prisoners and their families following release) and the Mansion House scholarship scheme.