Dame Violet Wills Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 219485
• Annual Giving: £84,124 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: Throughout England and Wales
• Primary Focus: Evangelical Christian causes and Christian caring
• Registered: 26 July 1963

Contact Details

Address: 3 Cedar Way, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 6TT

Phone: 01275 848770

Email: dvwct@outlook.com

Website: https://dvwctrust.com

Overview

The Dame Violet Wills Charitable Trust is a well-established Bristol-based grant-making charity registered in 1963. Operating throughout England and Wales, the trust manages an endowment to generate income which is then distributed in the form of grants to evangelical Christian causes and Christian caring initiatives. With annual expenditure of approximately £84,124 (2024 financial year) and income of £43,178, the trust operates as a spending charity, drawing on its endowment to support evangelical Christian activities both within the UK and overseas. The trust is governed by 8-9 trustees who are responsible for determining the level of support for causes. The trust maintains a conflict of interest policy, risk management procedures, and financial reserves policy. One or more trustees receive payments or benefits for services provided to the charity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust provides small grants to UK registered charities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year in written form.

Priority Areas

Core Focus: Evangelical Christian causes and Christian caring

Specific Areas Supported:

• General charitable purposes
• Religious activities
• Places of worship
• Evangelical Christian activities (UK and overseas)

Beneficiary Groups:

• Children and young people
• Elderly people
• Other charities or voluntary bodies
• The general public

What They Don't Fund

The trust's specific focus on evangelical Christian causes means that secular organisations and non-Christian religious groups would fall outside their funding remit.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust is governed by 8-9 trustees:

1. Angela Grace Ball (appointed 2025)
2. Deborah Jane Baker (appointed 2025)
3. David Gould (appointed 2023)
4. Dr John William Hollman (appointed 2018) - Also trustee of Oakridge Baptist Church
5. John David Norris
6. Yme Potjewijd (appointed 2013) - Also trustee of Western Counties & South Wales Evangelisation Trust
7. Rachel Clara Daws
8. Julian Marsh
9. Rev Ray Lockhart

The trustees are responsible for reviewing and determining the level of support for each cause identified. One or more trustees receive payments or benefits for services provided to the charity.

How to Apply to Dame Violet Wills Charitable Trust

How to Apply

Applications may be made at any time in writing. There is no online application portal or specific deadline - the trust operates on a rolling application basis.

Contact details for applications:

• Email: dvwct@outlook.com
• Phone: 01275 848770
• Address: 3 Cedar Way, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 6TT

Eligibility:

• Must be a UK registered charity
• Must be working to further evangelical Christian causes and Christian caring
• Can work in the UK and/or overseas

Decision Timeline

The trustees meet at least annually to review applications and determine support levels. Specific decision timelines are not published.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Evangelical alignment is essential - this is not a general Christian funder but specifically supports evangelical causes
• Small grants focus - the trust provides small grants to registered charities
• Rolling applications - no deadlines to worry about, apply when ready with a well-prepared written application
• Dual focus required - demonstrate both evangelical Christian mission and practical caring for people in need
• Written applications only - no complex online forms, but ensure your written application is comprehensive and professional
• UK registered charities only - applicants must be registered with the Charity Commission

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Brownlee Charitable Trust
• The Grace Trust
• Stobart Newlands Charitable Trust
• The Macdaibhidh Charitable Trust
• Forest Hill Charitable Trust
• Tabeel Trust
• Hesed Trust
• Seedfield Trust
• The Deo Gloria Trust
• Hinchley Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register, Dame Violet Wills Charitable Trust (Charity No. 219485): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/219485/full-print
• Charity Commission Register, Contact Information for Dame Violet Wills Charitable Trust: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/219485/contact-information
• Charity Commission Register, Trustees of Dame Violet Wills Charitable Trust: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/219485/trustees
• Giving is Great, Dame Violet Wills Charitable Trust Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=219485
• Dame Violet Wills Charitable Trust official website: https://dvwctrust.com