The Woodroffe Benton Foundation supports smaller UK registered and exempt charities with an annual income of under £750,000 that are providing services in the UK in a range of areas. It is particularly interested in providing core funding, as well as support for specific projects, and in giving support to smaller charities where a modest grant is likely to be of greater benefit.
The Foundation’s next Small Grants Programme funding round is open until Sunday 31st March 2024 and has a focus on projects which “Improve the quality of life and social engagement for older people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland” .
The Foundation does not fund larger charities, branches of national organisations or individuals. Its specific areas of interest are support for:
o Education and youth development
o Environmental conservation/preservation/protection/improvement - in particular where this would encourage the provision of access by members of the general public.
o Improving physical wellbeing.
o The provision and/or maintenance of care and accommodation for the sick and elderly, and
o The relief of persons in need, hardship or distress by reason of disaster or as a consequence of social or economic circumstance.
UK registered charities with an annual income of under £750,000 may apply for a one-off grant of between £500 and £2,500. There is no specific requirement for matched funding.
During the year ended 2 December 2022 the Foundation awarded grants totalling £239,200 (2021: £344,725; 2020: £308,566). Awards were categorised as follows
o Substantial ongoing support: £111,700 (2021: £289,225; 2020: £186,316).
o Small Grants Programme: £118,000 (2021: £52,500; 2020: £105,750), and
o Trustees' Grants: £13,000 (2021: £11,300; 2020: £16,500).
Funding is not available for:
o Animal welfare organisations whose primary purpose is not conservation of the environment except for those that help the survival of wild species in the UK.
o Bodies affiliated to or a local branch of a national organisation, unless they have a separate charitable number and receive no financial support from the national charity.
o Charities with an annual income of more than £1 million.
o Educational organisations based outside the Derbyshire region - although the trustees may choose to consider these.
o Individuals.
o Multiple grants to the same charity in a 12 month period.
o Museums, historical or heritage organisations.
o Organisations that are not registered with the Charity Commission.
o Organisations that have operating for less than 24 months and therefore do not have at least one full set of accounts.
o Organisations that operate primarily outside the UK or for the benefit of non-UK residents.
o Palliative care.
o Places of worship seeking funds for restoration or upgrade of facilities, or
o Students requesting a grant for tertiary education or a gap year.
Further information, guidance and details about how to apply is available on the Foundation's website.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 31st March 2024.
