The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists' Charity aims to strengthen communities through maximising the power of technology for good. To achieve this, the Charity funds IT-related projects and offers pro-bono Information Technology (IT) consultancy to:
o Enhance opportunities for young people through more effective education.
o Help charities get the best out of IT.
o Improve the public's understanding of IT and its capabilities, and
o Improve the quality of life for those who are disadvantaged, disabled or socially excluded.
All eligible projects must make use of IT. The Charity is more likely to prioritise projects which:
o Are sustainable and focus on outcomes which can be formally reported on.
o Can be developed into a model for wider replication, and
o Demonstrate an innovative use of Information Technology.
In general, the Charity will provide grants of up to £15,000 (an increase from £10,000 in previous years). However, grants can be for more than £15,000 and the Charity has stated in its most recent annual report that it aims to be more strategic by making fewer, larger grants with measurable impact.
Eligible organisations may also apply to the Charity for independent strategic-level pro-bono assistance for their IT projects.
During the year ended 31 December 2022, the Charity awarded grants totalling £141,266. Awards, which can be made for more than one year, ranged from under £5,000 to £77,000 (to the mental health charity, CALM. CALM stands for the 'Campaign Against Living Miserably').
Funding is not available for:
o Consultancy fees.
o Core costs.
o Debt or loan repayments.
o Individuals.
o Local authorities.
o Political or lobbying activities.
o Private companies.
o Projects that seek to build an endowment.
o Work that has already started or been delivered, or
o Work where the beneficiaries are abroad, even if the applying organisation is UK based.
Further information, guidance and an online application form is available on the Charity’s website.
Applications may be submitted any time throughout the year and are captured in a series of deadlines (or cut-off points). The Charity usually operates 4 deadlines each year.
The next deadline is Monday 22nd January 2024 at 5pm for the Charity’s March 2024 meeting.
Decisions are usually relayed to applicants up to 2 months after each application deadline.