The George Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £100,000+ (minimum commitment)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with particular focus on Northamptonshire
• Charity Number: 1192385
• Registered: November 2020

Contact Details

Address: Victoria Mills, London Road, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN8 2DT

Email: donations@thegeorgefamilyfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 01933 304512 (or +44 (0)1933 441000)

Website: Information available via Whitworth Bros at whitworthbros.ltd.uk/charitable-foundation/

Overview

The George Family Foundation was established in 2020 as a registered charity independent of Whitworths Holdings Group, the largest flour miller in the UK. The foundation is run by three trustees, two of whom are members of the George family (owners of Whitworth Bros) and one independent trustee. The foundation commits to donating a minimum of £100,000 per year to individuals and organisations whose purposes align with the values of the George family.

For the financial year ending March 31, 2024, the foundation had total income of £150,000 and total expenditure of £271,373, demonstrating active grant-making activity. The foundation's charitable purpose is “to advance such exclusively charitable purposes (according to the law of England and Wales) by making grants and donations to individuals and organisations at such time or times and in such manner as the trustees in their complete discretion think fit.”

The foundation has three clearly defined focus areas: supporting employees of Whitworth Bros through matched giving, improving educational provision to disadvantaged communities, and supporting environmental science-based organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates three distinct funding streams:

Employee Matched Giving Programme

• Matches charitable donations made by Whitworth Bros employees
• Up to £500 per employee per year
• Available from April 2021 onwards

Education Grants

• Support for educational provision to disadvantaged communities
• Local focus: Sponsorship of Northampton Academy
• National focus: Support via United Learning (multi-academy trust)
• Grant amounts not publicly disclosed

Environment Grants

• Support for science-based environmental organizations
• Known beneficiaries include: Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and Living Uplands
• Complements Whitworths Holdings' direct investment in sustainable farming and forestry

Priority Areas

Education: The foundation prioritizes improving educational provision for disadvantaged communities, particularly in Northamptonshire and nationally through established education partnerships.

Environment: Support for science-based approaches to environmental conservation, sustainable farming, and forestry initiatives.

Employee Philanthropy: Encouraging charitable giving among Whitworth Bros employees through matched funding.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has broad discretion, but based on their stated focus areas, they appear unlikely to fund:

• Organizations outside their three priority areas (education, environment, employee-related)
• Projects without clear alignment to the George family values
• Organizations without connection to their geographic areas of interest or their business operations

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Martin George (Chair) - Principal shareholder of Whitworth Bros, whose grandfather Frank George bought Whitworth in Wellingborough in the late 1920s. Martin serves as chairman of Whitworths Holdings Group.

Michael George - Son of Martin George and also serves on the board of Whitworth Bros, representing the third generation of family involvement in the business.

Simone Large - Independent trustee

All three trustees were appointed in 2020 at the foundation's inception. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The foundation has 2 volunteers in addition to the 3 trustees.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation's charitable objects specifically state that grants are made “at such time or times and in such manner as the trustees in their complete discretion think fit.”

The foundation makes grants through:

1. Employee Matched Giving: Whitworth Bros employees can apply through their internal process for matched donations up to £500 per year
2. Strategic Partnerships: The foundation has established ongoing relationships with specific organizations (Northampton Academy, United Learning, GWCT, Kew Gardens, Living Uplands)
3. Trustee Discretion: Grants to individuals and organisations are determined by the trustees based on alignment with George family values

Given the foundation's structure and connection to Whitworth Bros, grants appear to flow primarily to:

• Organizations already known to the trustees through their business operations
• Educational institutions in their local community (Northamptonshire)
• Nationally recognized environmental organizations with science-based approaches
• Employees of Whitworth Bros for matched charitable giving

Getting on Their Radar

Connection to Whitworth Bros or the Milling Industry: The foundation is closely tied to the George family's flour milling business. Organizations working in sustainable agriculture, grain production, food security, or related fields may have natural connection points.

Northamptonshire Focus: The foundation shows strong commitment to their local community in Northamptonshire. Organizations working to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged young people in Wellingborough, Northampton, or surrounding areas may align with their local priorities.

Science-Based Environmental Work: The foundation explicitly supports organizations taking “science-based approaches” to environmental conservation. Organizations doing rigorous, evidence-based work in conservation, sustainable land management, or related fields align with their stated preferences.

United Learning Connection: The foundation supports United Learning, a large multi-academy trust. Schools or educational organizations within or connected to the United Learning network may have enhanced opportunities for engagement.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As grants are made at trustee discretion, there is no fixed schedule for applications, decisions, or notifications.

Success Rates

Success rates for unsolicited approaches are not available. Given the discretionary nature of grant-making and lack of public application process, the foundation appears to primarily support organizations already known to the trustees.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's structure and limited public information, success factors appear to include:

Alignment with George Family Values: The foundation explicitly states it supports “individuals and organisations whose purposes align with the values of the George Family.” These values appear to center on: supporting local communities (particularly Northamptonshire), improving opportunities for disadvantaged young people, science-based environmental stewardship, and sustainable business practices.

Connection to Foundation Priorities: Organizations working in the three defined areas (education for disadvantaged communities, science-based environmental conservation, or employee giving) are most likely to align with the foundation's mission.

Local Community Impact: The foundation demonstrates strong commitment to Northamptonshire, particularly Wellingborough where Whitworth Bros is headquartered. Local organizations with demonstrable impact may be of particular interest.

Established Reputation: The foundation's known beneficiaries (United Learning, GWCT, Kew Gardens, Living Uplands) are all well-established, nationally recognized organizations with strong track records. This suggests the foundation values proven impact and organizational stability.

Science-Based Approach: For environmental work, the foundation explicitly values “science-based approaches,” suggesting they prioritize evidence-led interventions over advocacy or awareness campaigns.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - this is a private family foundation making grants primarily at trustee discretion to organizations aligned with their business and personal interests
• Three clear focus areas: employee matched giving, education for disadvantaged communities, and science-based environmental conservation
• Local commitment matters - strong focus on Northamptonshire, particularly Wellingborough and Northampton
• Connection is key - known beneficiaries are either local to their operations or nationally recognized organizations; unsolicited approaches unlikely to succeed without prior relationship
• Whitworth Bros employees have a unique opportunity through the matched giving programme (up to £500/year)
• Annual commitment of £100,000+ indicates modest but consistent grant-making capacity
• Science-based approaches are explicitly valued for environmental work - evidence and rigor matter to these funders

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities, The George Family Foundation (1192385): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5170818
• Whitworth Bros, Charitable Foundation page: https://whitworthbros.ltd.uk/charitable-foundation/
• Giving is Great, The George Family Foundation Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1192385
• World Grain, “A new era in milling” (information on Whitworth Bros and George family): https://www.world-grain.com/articles/16263-a-new-era-in-milling