The Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Charity Number: 1002966
Contact Info
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: Rolling basis, first-come-first-served
- Grant Range: £500 - £20,000
- Geographic Focus: North West England
Contact Details
Website: www.ericwright.co.uk/charitable-trust/
Email: EWCharitableTrust@ericwright.co.uk (also rebeccam@ericwright.co.uk for applications)
Phone: 01772 694698 (also 01772 694613 for applications)
Address: Sceptre House, Sceptre Way, Bamber Bridge, Preston
Overview
The Eric Wright Charitable Trust was established by Mr. Eric Wright in 1990 to fulfill his belief that the role of business in society is not to create wealth for the few, but rather to help build a strong community. Registered as charity number 1002966, the Trust is uniquely structured as the sole owner of Eric Wright Group, an award-winning leader in the UK property and construction industry. This innovative ownership model means all profits are either reinvested in the business or distributed for charitable activities across the North West. The Trust has been recognized as the Outstanding Grant Funder 2024 at the VSNW Funding & Commissioning Awards, highlighting its transformative support for the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- Community Grants: £5,000 - £20,000 (for organizations with income/expenditure £100,000-£500,000 per annum, operating for at least 3 years)
- Minor Grants: £500 - £4,999 (for smaller organizations)
- Small Groups' Funding: Up to £500 for community groups with income under £50,000 annually (administered through local CVS organizations)
All programs operate on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines - awards are made first-come, first-served.
Priority Areas
- Young person's wellbeing
- Elderly services
- Education and training
- Health initiatives
- Carer's support
- Mental health services
- Child/family support
- Community development
What They Don't Fund
- Organizations outside the North West England
- Capital costs (except in exceptional circumstances)
- Organizations with income above £500,000 for Community Grants
- Organizations with turnover above £30,000 for Small Groups' Funding
Governance and Leadership
The Trust operates with a board of trustees including:
- Alison Wright - Trustee (actively involved in grant presentations)
- Michele Collier - Trustee
No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust maintains a professional approach with trustees directly involved in grant award presentations to successful organizations.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
Prospective applicants must contact the Trust first to discuss their application before submitting. Application is by Grant Application Form, available through initial contact with the Trust.
Decision Timeline
- Rolling basis for Community Grants
- First-come, first-served for Small Groups' Funding
- No specific timeframes disclosed publicly
Success Rates
Success rates are not publicly disclosed.
Reapplication Policy
There are no appeals or deferred applications. Applications are either successful or unsuccessful, with limited feedback provided to unsuccessful applicants.
Application Success Factors
- Pre-application contact is essential: The Trust strongly advises contacting them before applying to discuss the nature and process of applications
- Geographic alignment is critical: Must be based and working in the North West England
- Organizational maturity matters: Community Grants favor established organizations (3+ years operation)
- Direct service delivery focus: Preference for organizations delivering services directly to beneficiaries
- Revenue support available: Unlike many funders, they will consider core costs alongside project funding
- One-year spending requirement: All grants must be spent within one year of award
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Always make initial contact first - This is explicitly required and shows respect for their process
- Emphasize North West England connection - Geographic alignment is non-negotiable
- Highlight direct beneficiary impact - They prioritize organizations serving beneficiaries directly
- Consider timing carefully - First-come, first-served basis means early applications may have better chances
- Match organizational size to program - Choose between Community and Minor Grants based on your organization's scale
- Prepare for binary outcomes - No appeals process, so ensure application quality from the start
- Demonstrate community building alignment - Connect your work to their founding principle of building strong communities
Similar Funders
These funders frequently fund the same charities:
- Bna Charitable Incorporated Organisation
- The Screwfix Foundation
- Alan Davidson Foundation
- The Elizabeth And Prince Zaiger Trust
- The Ofenheim Charitable Trust
- The Constance Travis Charitable Trust
- Peacock Charitable Trust
- Prowting Charitable Foundation
- Richard Mackay Charitable Trust
- The Billmeir Charitable Trust
References
- Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Number 1002966
- Eric Wright Group official website charitable trust section (www.ericwright.co.uk/charitable-trust/)
- VSNW (Voluntary Sector North West) spotlight article, December 2024
- Various regional CVS organization funding announcements and guidelines, 2024-2025
- Multiple third-party funding directories including Action Together, LCVS, and Bolton CVS