City Of Westminster Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £292,376 (income 2024) - £380,442 (expenditure 2024)
• Success Rate: Approximately 12.7% (127 projects funded from £1.9m raised, over 6 years)
• Decision Time: 4-6 weeks after application deadline
• Grant Range: Up to £25,000
• Geographic Focus: City of Westminster only

Contact Details

Website: www.westminster.gov.uk/westminster-trust

Email: communitycontribution@westminster.gov.uk

Phone: 07817 053912

Charity Number: 296091

Overview

The City of Westminster Charitable Trust was established in 1987 (founded in 1986 on the 400th anniversary of the City of Westminster) to invest in Westminster and support local projects that matter to residents. The Trust operates with an annual income of approximately £292,376 (2024) and expenditure of £380,442. Since launching the Community Contribution Fund, now in its sixth year, the scheme has raised over £1.9 million and provided grants to 145 projects across four priority areas: rough sleeping (27 projects), youth opportunities (64 projects), social isolation and loneliness (50 projects), and social inclusion (4 projects, added in February 2023). The Trust is governed by Westminster councillors, council officers, and an independent trustee with fundraising expertise, with all trustees serving on a voluntary basis without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Contribution Fund: Up to £25,000 (maximum amount varies based on organizational expenditure and project area)

• Application method: Annual fixed deadline (applications open early January, close mid-February)
• Both one-off and multi-year grants considered
• Project funding and core costs for smaller organizations available

Lord Mayor's Fund: Supports the Lord Mayor's charities (specific grant amounts not publicly available)

Priority Areas

The Trust actively funds projects addressing:

1. Rough Sleeping: Providing extra support for people sleeping on Westminster's streets
2. Youth Opportunities: Helping young people reach their full potential, including staying safe, contributing positively to their community, and developing longer-term skills
3. Social Isolation and Loneliness: Helping lonely and isolated people feel connected to their community
4. Social Inclusion: Promoting inclusion across Westminster communities (added February 2023)

Eligible Organizations:

• Voluntary and community organizations
• Registered charities
• Constituted groups or clubs
• Not-for-profit companies or community interest companies
• Social enterprises
• Schools

Geographic Requirement: Organizations must be situated in Westminster or directly help Westminster residents.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed on the website. Applicants must complete an eligibility quiz before accessing the application form to determine if their project qualifies. Organizations are encouraged to contact communitycontribution@westminster.gov.uk if uncertain about eligibility.

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Governance and Leadership

The City of Westminster Charitable Trust is governed by 7 trustees and supported by 6 volunteers. The governance structure includes Westminster councillors, Westminster City Council officers, and an independent trustee with fundraising expertise. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

The Trust operates without trading subsidiaries and maintains a transparent governance arrangement with Westminster City Council for the Community Contribution Fund scheme.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Eligibility Quiz: Complete the eligibility quiz first (required before accessing application form)
2. Application Window: Applications typically open early January (2 January 2025) and close mid-February (13 February 2025, midnight)
3. Application Form: Link provided after completing eligibility quiz
4. Review Process: All organizations undergo due diligence review by Westminster City Council officers
5. Decision Making: Final decisions made by COWCT Trustees following advice from Westminster City Council Officer advisory board

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed after deadline closes
• Announcements to all applicants within 4-6 weeks after application deadline
• Successful applicants receive 50% of funding at project start
• Remaining 50% dependent on satisfactory mid-term reporting

Success Rates

Based on publicly available data, the Trust has funded 145 projects from over £1.9 million raised through the Community Contribution Fund over six years. While exact application numbers are not published, the Trust reviews applications individually with decisions made by trustees following officer recommendations.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust does not provide feedback on unsuccessful applications. Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly detailed. Applicants should contact communitycontribution@westminster.gov.uk for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Examples of Funded Projects

Youth Development:

• Paddington Arts: Developing talent and creativity, encouraging young people to use arts for self-expression and career development
• Bloomsbury Football: Working with schools, councils, and community groups to provide football benefits to children
• St Andrew's Youth Club: 150+ year-old community-based youth club providing belonging, fun, and informal education
• Paddington Academy, Pro Touch SA CIC, Rathbone Amateur Boxing Club

Rough Sleeping Support:

• Hotel School: Teaching hospitality skills to homeless and vulnerable people, matching them to sustainable employment (12 weeks of hospitality training for residents who have experienced homelessness)
• Veterans Aid, London Jesus Centre, ChgCommCIC, Standing Together, ASLAN (All Souls Church)

Social Isolation:

• Third Sector Media: Meet, Cook and Share project connecting mothers with young children experiencing social isolation through making healthy food from around the world
• Marylebone Bangladesh Society: Promoting and improving economic and general health outcomes for the community
• Age UK Westminster, The Listening Place, Cardinal Hulme Centre (26 hours of choir practice for socially isolated over 50s)

Impact Outcomes Valued:

• 100 socio-economically disadvantaged residents accessing 26-week development, mentoring and training programmes
• Specific beneficiary numbers and measurable outcomes

Application Tips

• Complete the eligibility quiz first: This is mandatory before accessing the application form
• Download application guidance: Review detailed guidance to ensure your project and organization are eligible
• Focus on measurable outcomes: Successful projects demonstrate clear beneficiary numbers and impact
• Align with priority areas: Ensure your project clearly addresses one of the four priority areas
• Plan for reporting: Be prepared to provide mid-term progress updates and comprehensive end-of-project reports
• Core costs considered: Smaller organizations can apply for core costs where a grant could make an impact
• Multi-year funding available: Both one-off and multi-year grants are considered

Contact for Pre-Application Support

Email communitycontribution@westminster.gov.uk with questions about eligibility or whether your bid fits the criteria.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is absolute: Only organizations in Westminster or directly helping Westminster residents are eligible - this is non-negotiable
• Alignment with one of four priorities is essential: Projects must clearly address rough sleeping, youth opportunities, social isolation/loneliness, or social inclusion
• Demonstrate measurable impact: Successful applications show specific beneficiary numbers and concrete outcomes
• Plan for phased funding: Expect to receive 50% upfront with the remainder dependent on mid-term reporting performance
• Annual competition window: Applications only accepted during a 6-week window in January-February, so plan ahead
• Complete eligibility quiz first: This saves time and ensures you're eligible before investing effort in a full application
• Multi-year funding possible: Don't assume you can only apply for one-off projects - the Trust considers longer-term support

References

1. Westminster City Council - Community Contribution Fund and the City of Westminster Charitable Trust. Available at: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/westminster-trust (Accessed: 2025)

1. Westminster City Council - Community Contribution Fund Application Guidelines. Available at: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/community-contribution-fund-application-guidelines (Accessed: 2025)

1. Charity Commission - City of Westminster Charitable Trust (296091). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=296091 (Accessed: 2025)

1. Westminster City Council - Funded Projects. Available at: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/westminster-trust/projects (Accessed: 2025)

1. Westminster City Council Decisions - Governance Arrangements between the Council and City of Westminster Charitable Trust: Community Contribution Fund. Available at: https://committees.westminster.gov.uk/mgDecisionDetails.aspx?IId=24389&Opt=1 (Accessed: 2025)