Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £587,870 (latest financial year)
• Total Distributed Since 2000: Over £4 million
• Grant Range: Up to £10,000
• Decision Time: Within 28 days of trustee meetings (June and December)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (priority to areas with Skipton Building Society branches)
• Application Windows: Twice yearly (March-May and September-October)

Contact Details

Website: www.skiptoncharitablefoundation.co.uk

Email: charitablefoundation@skipton.co.uk

Phone: 01756 705000

Address: The Bailey, Skipton, North Yorkshire

For application advice, contact the team via email.

Overview

Established in February 2000, the Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation is an independent grant-making charity funded through annual donations from Skipton Building Society. With total assets generating over £840,000 in annual income, the Foundation has distributed more than £4 million to UK charities over the past 24 years, supporting over 1,200 charitable organizations in the last decade alone. In 2024, the Foundation awarded £593,500 to approximately 280 causes.

The Foundation is governed by 8 trustees (6 of whom are independent from Skipton Building Society) who receive no remuneration, and supported by volunteer administrators. The charity has recently refined its strategic focus to concentrate on two core areas: helping people experiencing hardship access housing and improving financial wellbeing, with particular attention to communities in areas of high deprivation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: Up to £10,000 (increased from £6,000)

• Applications accepted twice yearly through online portal
• Trustees meet in June and December to review applications
• Decisions communicated within 28 days of meetings
• Application windows: 3 March to 1 May; 1 September to 31 October

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on two strategic areas:

1. Access to a Place to Call Home

• Safe and secure permanent housing for people to live independently
• Temporary accommodation in crisis situations (homelessness, palliative care, domestic abuse)
• Essential items for people transitioning from homelessness (toiletries, bedding, cooking utensils, white goods)
• Adapted equipment and accessibility aids (ramps, stairlifts) in community centers
• Support for young people transitioning to independent living

2. Financial Wellbeing

• Financial education and literacy programs
• Support to prevent or address financial difficulties
• Resources and books supporting financial education
• Digital competence training (laptops, online systems)
• Money management guidance and support

What They Will Fund:

• Staff salaries and overhead expenses (rent, utilities)
• Core operational costs
• Program development and scaling successful initiatives
• Small capital contributions and infrastructure investments
• Technology to improve service delivery
• Equipment and tangible items benefiting beneficiaries directly

Geographic Priority: Particular consideration given to charities operating in areas where Skipton Building Society has branches, though this is not a requirement.

Deprivation Focus: Priority to charities serving people in the top 50% of the UK Index of Multiple Deprivation.

What They Don't Fund

• Unregistered charities
• Organizations established for less than 3 years
• Charities with fewer than 3 trustees
• Organizations where the Foundation's contribution represents less than 50% of the project cost
• Charities more than one year late in reporting to the Charity Commission
• General fundraising appeals without specific tangible outcomes
• Organizations that discriminate based on protected characteristics

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees: 8 trustees (6 independent from Skipton Building Society)

Volunteers: 3 volunteer administrators support the Foundation

Remuneration: No trustees receive payment or benefits

The Board meets twice yearly (June and December) to review grant applications. Trustees select charities based on alignment with the Foundation's two focus areas and evidence of clear, tangible benefit to beneficiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online application through YourCause platform (accessed via the Foundation website)

Application Windows:

• Spring round: 3 March to 1 May (decisions in June)
• Autumn round: 1 September to 31 October (decisions in December)

Applications submitted outside these windows will not be accepted.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Registered with UK charity regulators (Charity Commission for England and Wales, Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, or Scottish Charity Regulator)
• Established for at least 3 years
• Minimum of 3 trustees/directors
• Up-to-date with charity reporting (not more than 1 year late)
• Able to provide latest two years' annual accounts

Application Contents:

• Full details of the charity's work
• Breakdown of how the donation will be spent
• Clear identification of benefit to beneficiaries
• Number of people who will benefit
• Evidence of alignment with Foundation's focus areas

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed at trustee meetings in June and December
• Decisions communicated within 28 days of trustee meetings
• Successful charities must report on grant usage within 1 year of receiving funds

Success Rates

The Foundation awarded £593,500 to approximately 280 causes in 2024, demonstrating active support for a wide range of organizations. Over the past decade, more than 1,200 charities have been supported. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

• Successful applicants: Must wait 3 years before reapplying
• Unsuccessful applicants: Must wait 1 year before reapplying

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Clear and Immediate Benefit: The Foundation explicitly states it “will particularly seek to help those charities where clear and immediate benefit to the recipients can be identified.” Applications should articulate specific, measurable outcomes for beneficiaries.

Focus on Tangible Items and Activities: The Foundation prefers to support “specific tangible items or activities rather than donating to general funds.” Applications should detail concrete deliverables—equipment, resources, specific program activities—rather than general operational support.

Alignment with Deprivation Indicators: Priority goes to charities serving communities in the top 50% of the UK Index of Multiple Deprivation. Include data demonstrating the level of need in your service area.

Connection to Skipton Building Society Presence: While not required, “particular consideration will be given to charities which operate in areas where the Society has a presence.” Research whether your area has a Skipton Building Society branch.

Detailed Budget Breakdown: Applications must include “a breakdown of how the donation will be spent.” Provide itemized costs and demonstrate value for money.

Quantify Impact: Specify “the number of people who will benefit” from the grant. Use concrete numbers and demographics.

Examples of Funded Activities: The Foundation has supported:

• Digital interactive activity tables for elderly care settings
• Sensory toys and equipment for children with special needs
• Laptops for financial education programs
• White goods and household items for people securing permanent housing
• Accessibility equipment removing barriers in community spaces

Strategic Approach: Given the Foundation distributed approximately £594,000 to 280 causes in 2024, the average grant is around £2,100. While grants up to £10,000 are available, applicants should note the Foundation “prefers to give smaller amounts with the aim of supporting as many good causes as possible.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Tangible over general: Apply for specific items, equipment, or activities rather than general operating costs—the Foundation wants to see concrete deliverables
• Deprivation data matters: Demonstrate your beneficiaries are in the top 50% of the UK Index of Multiple Deprivation with evidence
• Smaller grants favored: While £10,000 is the maximum, average grants are around £2,000—tailor your request accordingly
• Timing is strict: Applications are only accepted during two 8-10 week windows annually; plan ahead
• Quick decisions: With decisions within 28 days of June/December meetings, you'll have clarity relatively fast
• Three-year gap for reapplication: Successful applicants must wait 3 years before applying again, so make your application count
• Partnership opportunity: No Skipton Building Society account required, but geographic connection to their branch network may strengthen applications

References

• Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation official website: https://www.skiptoncharitablefoundation.co.uk/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3968649
• Funding Scotland profile: https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000003hvWtEAI/skipton-building-society-charitable-foundation
• Action Together funder profile: https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/skipton-building-society-charitable-foundation
• Supporting Communities funding news: https://supportingcommunities.org/funding-news-1/2025/2/6/skipton-building-society-charitable-foundation-to-reopen-for-application-on-3-march