Sylvia Waddilove Foundation Uk

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £314,047 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (approx. 30 applications considered per meeting)
• Decision Time: 8-12 weeks (trustees meet quarterly)
• Grant Range: £500 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide

Contact Details

Address: PWW Solicitors, The Office Group, Thomas House, 84 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PX

Phone: 020 7821 8211

Email: waddilove@pwwsolicitors.co.uk

Website: https://pwwsolicitors.co.uk/charity-grants/waddilove-foundation-uk/

Overview

The Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK was established in 2006 to continue the philanthropy of Sylvia Waddilove after her death in 2001. Miss Waddilove left a portion of her estate on trust for charitable purposes and indicated during her lifetime both the types of charitable purposes she favoured and the way in which her funds should be used. The Foundation uses its discretion to follow those wishes as far as possible. With annual expenditure of approximately £314,000 (2024), the Foundation provides capital grants to registered charities, exempt charities, Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee, and Registered Societies. The Foundation's approach focuses on supporting innovative capital projects across six priority areas, with particular interest in projects that are less than five years old and demonstrate lasting public benefit. In 2023, the Foundation partnered with Antibiotic Research UK to establish 'The Sylvia Waddilove Early Stage Research Award', awarding three grants of up to £9,000 each for early career research in antibiotic resistance.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Promotion of Organic Farming and Animal Welfare (£500 - £5,000)

Capital grants for education in organic farming, animal husbandry, veterinary science, animal welfare, and animal surgery. Applicant's annual income must be less than £1,000,000. Capital costs only.

2. Visual and Performing Arts (£1,000 for running costs; £500 - £5,000 for capital)

• £1,000 grants specifically for running costs of new theatre productions
• Capital grants for larger projects
• Note: Music is not supported as a performing art
• Applicant's income must be less than £3,000,000

3. Medical Research (£500 - £5,000)

Capital grants for medical research projects. Applicant's income must be less than £5,000,000. Capital costs only.

4. Relief of Disability and Severe Illness (£500 - £5,000)

Capital grants for projects supporting people with disabilities or severe illnesses. Applicant's income must be less than £5,000,000. Capital costs only.

5. Preservation of Historical Buildings (£500 - £5,000)

Capital grants for buildings of architectural or historical significance. Strict criteria apply:

• Building must be owned or leased for a term of 10+ years
• Project cost must be less than £5 million
• Applicant's income must be less than £3 million
• Building cannot be used for religious or academic purposes
• Supporting photo must be uploaded with application

6. Accommodation of Those in Need (£500 - £5,000)

Capital grants for housing projects. Applicant's income must be less than £5,000,000. Capital costs only.

Priority Areas

• Innovative projects: The Foundation particularly welcomes applications involving innovative projects
• Capital projects: Focus on funding with lasting public benefit
• Young projects: Innovative projects less than 5 years old are favoured
• Matched funding: Foundation typically expects applicants to have secured matched funding

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• “Friends of” charities
• Community Interest Companies limited by shares
• Schools (primary, secondary, or tertiary education institutions)
• Religious organizations
• Organizations less than 2 years old
• Running costs (except for new theatre productions in the arts category)
• Staffing or travel costs
• Buildings used for religious or academic purposes (for preservation category)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Gerald Edward Kidd
• Peter Spencer
• Christopher James Perkins

The three trustees each contribute approximately 3 hours of service and receive payments or benefits for providing services to the charity. The Foundation has no employees with benefits exceeding £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Applications Only: The Foundation accepts applications exclusively through their online application system. Postal applications are not accepted.

Application Windows: The trustees meet four times per year (typically in January, April, July, and October). Application rounds open shortly before each scheduled trustees' meeting. Due to high demand, application rounds may close early if a significant number of applications are received.

Quarterly Meeting Schedule: Trustees aim to consider 30 applications at each meeting.

Key Application Requirements:

• All questions must be answered (use “N/A” if not applicable)
• Do not extend answers beyond provided box sizes
• Provide detailed project information explaining purpose and beneficiary impact
• Include comprehensive financial details and project costs
• Specify number of beneficiaries
• For historical building applications: Upload a supporting photo in PDF or JPEG format
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted

Pre-Application Advice: The Foundation recommends applicants carefully read all criteria and guidance before applying. Failure to follow instructions may negatively impact trustees' decisions.

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet: Quarterly (January, April, July, October)
• Notification: All applicants are contacted following the trustees' meeting to indicate the outcome
• Typical decision time: 8-12 weeks from application submission to notification
• Feedback: Feedback relating to an application cannot be given

Success Rates

The Foundation aims to consider 30 applications at each trustees' meeting (quarterly). Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. Given annual expenditure of approximately £314,000 and average grants of £1,000-£5,000, the Foundation likely awards between 60-300 grants per year, though exact figures are not available.

Reapplication Policy

Applicants may re-apply to the Foundation after two years. This applies to both successful and unsuccessful applicants.

Reporting Requirements

A mandatory written report is required 12 months after receiving a grant. The report must use the Foundation's specific reporting form.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented guidance, the following factors are critical for application success:

1. Innovation is Valued: The Foundation explicitly states that “applications involving innovative projects are particularly welcome.” Ensure your application highlights what makes your project innovative and how it differs from existing approaches.

2. Capital Nature Must Be Clear: “Applicants must demonstrate that their project is of a capital nature to ensure the Foundation delivers lasting public benefit.” Capital costs are defined as: land, property, building materials, other materials of a long term use or nature, machinery, IT hardware or software.

3. Apply Early: The Foundation specifically recommends “applying early to avoid disappointment” as application windows close when enough applications are received.

4. Follow Instructions Precisely: The Foundation warns that "failure to follow instructions may impact trustees' decision." This includes:

• Answering all questions (no blanks)
• Not extending answers beyond box sizes
• Providing all required documentation
• Ensuring completeness (incomplete applications will not be accepted)

5. Young Projects Preferred: “Innovative projects that are less than 5 years old are favoured.”

6. Demonstrate Matched Funding: The Foundation “typically expects applicants to have secured matched funding for their projects.”

7. Stay Within Income Thresholds: Each category has specific income thresholds. Ensure your organization falls within the appropriate threshold for your chosen category.

8. Be Specific About Impact: “Provide detailed project information” and "explain project's purpose and beneficiary impact" with specific numbers of beneficiaries.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Target capital projects only: This is a strict requirement across most categories. Clearly demonstrate how your project delivers lasting public benefit through capital investment.

• Emphasize innovation: Applications involving innovative approaches are “particularly welcome” - make your project's innovative elements prominent in your application.

• Apply early in the window: With only 30 applications considered per meeting and rounds closing early, submit as soon as the window opens.

• Keep it concise: Do not extend answers beyond provided box sizes - this is specifically mentioned as potentially affecting trustee decisions.

• Know your category thresholds: Each funding category has different income limits (ranging from £1M to £5M) - ensure you qualify before applying.

• Wait two years before reapplying: Whether successful or unsuccessful, you must wait two years to reapply.

• Expect no feedback: The Foundation explicitly states they cannot provide feedback on applications, so learn from their published guidance rather than relying on post-decision communication.

References

1. Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK - Official Website. PWW Solicitors. https://pwwsolicitors.co.uk/charity-grants/waddilove-foundation-uk/

1. Applications for The Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK. PWW Solicitors. https://pwwsolicitors.co.uk/applications-for-the-syliva-waddilove-foundation-uk/

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Overview: Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK (1118097). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1118097

1. The Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK - Funding Scotland. https://funding.scot/funds/a0R3z00000Jeo2REAR/the-sylvia-waddilove-foundation-uk

1. Antibiotic Research UK Launches Research Fund with Sylvia Waddilove Foundation. June 2023. https://www.antibioticresearch.org.uk/antibiotic-research-uk-launches-research-fund-with-sylvia-waddilove-foundation/