The Wolfson Foundation is one of the UK's largest independent providers of capital grants and a significant player in developing the capital infrastructure of charitable organisations across the United Kingdom. The Foundation’s Funding for Places Programme provides support for localities. Grants are for capital infrastructure initiatives, specifically buildings (new builds or refurbishments) and equipment. The Foundation will fund a broad range of organisations working across the fields of:
o Disability.
o Education.
o Health.
o Heritage.
o Humanities.
o Medicine.
o Science, and
o The Arts.
The Foundation will accept applications from the following types of organisation:
o Historic buildings & landscapes.
o Hospices & palliative care organisations.
o Places of worship.
o Libraries & archives.
o Museums & galleries.
o Performing arts organisations.
o Public engagement with science organisations.
o Registered charities working with disability.
o Registered charities working in mental health.
o Registered charities working with older people.
o Secondary schools & sixth form colleges.
o Special needs schools & colleges, and
o Universities & research institution
Grant awards can vary considerably. During the year ended 31 March 2022, the Foundation made over 200 grants totalling £37,516,946.
Details of all grants awarded during the year are provided on pages 30-48 of the Foundation’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year.
The Foundation will expect applicants with projects that have a total budget of over £50,000 to have confirmed matched funding in place when they apply to the second stage of the application process. For projects in the fields of (1) arts humanities, science, medicine, health and disability projects and (2) schools and education projects, applicants will be expected to meet the following matched funding criteria:
1. Arts and humanities, science and medicine or health and disability projects - the Foundation generally requires that at least 25% of the capital costs of the project are raised before submission (unless the project cost is under £50,000).
2. Schools/education projects - where the total cost of the project is above £1 million, 25% match funding is required; if the total project cost is between £50,000 and £1 million, some match funds are required; and if the total project cost is below £50,000, no match funding is required.
Funding is not available for:
o Air ambulances or helipads.
o Carer’s organisations.
o Community Interest Companies (CICs).
o Costs of meetings, exhibitions, concerts or expeditions.
o Equipment for hospitals or clinical care facilities.
o Filming or promotional materials.
o Individuals.
o Mobility scooters.
o Non-specific appeals. including circulars and endowment funds.
o Operational running costs, including overheads, maintenance costs, VAT and professional fees.
o Projects that have already been completed or will be by the time of award.
o Projects where the total cost is below £15,000.
o Respite service and/or accommodation.
o Salaries or staffing costs.
o Support and therapy centres, such as cancer support centres and MS therapy centres..
o The purchase of land or existing buildings (this includes a building's freehold), or
o The repayment of loans.
The Foundation has a 2-stage application process with the following key dates:
The deadlines for Stage 1 applications are generally 5th January and 1st July each year but these can vary between specific categories, so applicants are advised to check the Foundation's website before applying. (The Secondary schools and sixth form colleges scheme has a slightly different schedule.)
Stage 1 determines whether a project is eligible and applications should be submitted online through the Wolfson Foundation website. Applicants who are successful at stage 1 will be invited to submit a stage 2 application.
The next deadline for Stage 1 applications is 23:59 on Friday 5th January 2024.
Further information, guidance and details about how to apply is available on the Wolfson Foundation website.
