The 1989 Willan Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 802749

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M
Geographic Focus: Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne City, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Darlington ... [3 more]

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £500,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Up to 12 weeks from application submission
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £20,000 (typically £1,000 - £10,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, County Durham, and Teesside

Contact Details

Website: Applications managed through Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/grants/the-1989-willan-charitable-trust/

Email: ns@communityfoundation.org.uk (Nils Stronach)

Phone: 0191 222 0945

Overview

Established in 1989 under a settlement dated 8th August 1989, The 1989 Willan Charitable Trust (Charity Number 802749) distributes approximately £500,000 annually to charitable causes in North East England. The trust's mission is to support organisations that ease social deprivation and enrich the fabric of local communities and the quality of life of individuals within those communities. Applications are managed through the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, which receives and vets applications on behalf of the trustees. The trust demonstrates a strategic approach to grant-making, with trustees preferring to support local charitable organisations with expenditure under £1 million and typically considering no more than three applications from the same organisation within any six-year period.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Standard Grants: £1,000 - £10,000 for project and core costs
  • Core/Unrestricted Grants: Up to £20,000 (£10,000 per year for two years) for organisations with clear links to high-deprivation areas
  • Youth Organisation Grants: Typically not exceeding £1,500 for uniformed youth groups
  • Gap Year Voluntary Work: Maximum £500 for Project Trust placements

Applications are assessed on a fixed deadline basis with panel meetings quarterly in March, June, September, and December. Applications must be received by the 15th of the preceding month.

Priority Areas

The trust prioritises funding for:

  • Core costs of organisations serving communities experiencing high levels of deprivation
  • Capital and refurbishment costs for community buildings
  • Services for young people addressing educational needs or offering diversion from crime and anti-social behaviour
  • Projects assisting local communities affected by crime and anti-social behaviour
  • Art projects that tackle deprivation or improve local quality of life
  • Uniformed youth organisations (Sea Cadets, Scouts, Guides, Boys' Brigades)
  • Projects drawing on the region's maritime tradition to deliver quality of life improvements
  • Self-help initiatives that improve local quality of life

What They Don't Fund

  • Trips abroad
  • Individuals (except specific Project Trust gap year applications)
  • Heritage projects
  • Environmental projects
  • Scientific research
  • Medical research
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Mr. Francis Allan Chapman
  • Mr. Alex Ohlsson
  • Willan Trustee Limited

The trust is governed by a settlement dated 8th August 1989. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trustees weight their support towards local charitable organisations, with preference for charities with expenditure under £1 million in the North East.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the Community Foundation portal at https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/grants/the-1989-willan-charitable-trust/

Eligibility:

  • Registered charities, exempted and excepted organisations
  • Preference for local charities with income under £1.5 million
  • CICs, Limited Companies, and social enterprises can only apply in partnership with a registered charity
  • Community and voluntary groups that cannot register as charities may apply with a letter of support from a suitable registered charity willing to hold the grant on their behalf

Application Deadlines:

Applications are considered at quarterly Fund Advisory Panel meetings in March, June, September, and December. Applications must be received by the 15th of the preceding month to be considered at the next scheduled meeting.

Decision Timeline

All applicants are contacted with the outcome of their application. The Community Foundation aims to provide a decision within 12 weeks of receiving all required information. If an application will take longer to process, they will contact the charity.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

The trustees will not normally consider more than three applications from the same organisation in any six-year period. This demonstrates their preference for strategic, longer-term relationships with funded organisations and encourages applicants to make well-considered, substantial applications rather than frequent smaller requests.

Application Success Factors

Key considerations for strong applications:

  • Focus on deprivation: The trust prioritises projects where there is a clear link to areas of high deprivation. Demonstrating how your work addresses social deprivation is crucial.
  • Significant contribution: The trust aims to prioritise projects for which a Willan grant will represent a significant contribution to delivery of the work. Show how their funding will make a meaningful difference.
  • Local impact: Preference is given to local registered charities based in the North East with income under £1.5 million. Emphasise your local roots and community connections.
  • Core costs welcomed: Unlike many funders, the trust explicitly welcomes applications for core and unrestricted funding, particularly from organisations serving high-deprivation communities.
  • Maritime connections: Projects drawing on the region's rich maritime tradition to deliver improvements are of particular interest.
  • Youth development: Strong support for uniformed youth organisations and services addressing young people's educational needs or diverting them from crime.

Application tips:

  • Ensure applications are submitted by the 15th of the month preceding the quarterly panel meeting to avoid delays
  • Be specific about how the grant amount relates to your project's total budget
  • Given the three-applications-per-six-years policy, ensure each application is thoroughly prepared and represents a significant funding need
  • For continuation funding beyond the initial grant period, present a compelling case with clear links to high-deprivation areas

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Strategic timing: With only four panel meetings per year and a limit of three applications per six years, timing and preparation are critical. Make each application count.
  • Deprivation focus is paramount: This is not a general grant-maker. Your project must clearly address social deprivation in the North East to be considered.
  • Core costs are welcomed: Take advantage of their openness to funding core and unrestricted costs, particularly for two-year grants up to £20,000.
  • Local is best: Preference strongly favours local charities with income under £1.5 million. National organisations should only apply for projects solely benefiting the North East.
  • Be realistic about grant size: While the range goes up to £20,000, most grants fall between £1,000 and £10,000. Ensure your request aligns with where the grant represents a “significant contribution.”
  • Maritime heritage: If your project connects to the region's maritime tradition, highlight this connection prominently.
  • 12-week decision window: Factor in the 12-week decision timeline when planning project start dates and other funding applications.

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