The Queen's Commonwealth Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,066,942 (charitable activities expenditure, 2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Microgrants up to £20,000 per year (for up to 2 years)
• Geographic Focus: All 56 Commonwealth countries

Contact Details

Website: queenscommonwealthtrust.org

Email:

• General: info@queenscommonwealthtrust.org.uk
• Network membership: connect@qct.org.uk
• Partnerships and grants: partnerships@qct.org.uk

Phone: 07470877632

Overview

The Queen's Commonwealth Trust was founded on 21 April 2018, inspired by Queen Elizabeth II's commitment to service. In July 2025, it was renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust (QECT) following the Queen's passing. The organization champions, funds, and connects young leaders aged 18-35 who are transforming their communities across the Commonwealth. With total expenditure of £1.32 million in 2023-24 against income of £803,558, the Trust operates with substantial donor support. Since 2018, QECT has supported 75 youth-led organizations across 31 countries, built a network of 850+ young changemakers, and reached over 250,000 beneficiaries. King Charles III became the charity's patron in May 2024. The organization focuses on social entrepreneurs working on issues including poverty, climate change, healthcare access, education, and unemployment, with projects contributing to 14 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Youth Ventures Programme (Flagship Programme)

• Flexible funding of up to £20,000 per year for up to two years
• Includes coaching opportunities and organisational development support
• Access to practical tools created by Harvard and Cambridge experts
• Application by invitation to QECT Network members only

Microgrants for Network Members

• Available to QECT Country Chapters
• Supports collaborative projects among network members
• Specific amounts not publicly disclosed

100 Young Leaders Awards

• Recognition program commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday
• Awardees can apply for microgrants to scale their projects
• Includes tailored capacity-building and mentorship
• Award ceremony recognition

Commonwealth Youth Awards Partnership

• Social Enterprise winner receives up to £20,000 per year for two years
• Partnership with Commonwealth Secretariat
• Includes coaching and organisational development support

Application Methods: Applications to join the QECT Network open periodically (not on a rolling basis). Network membership is required to access grant opportunities. Organization announces application windows on their website.

Priority Areas

Five Thematic Focus Areas:

1. Agriculture & Food
2. Education & Employability
3. Environment
4. Health
5. Inclusion

Target Organizations:

• Youth-led social enterprises founded by individuals aged 18-35
• Organizations addressing community problems across Commonwealth countries
• Projects contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Social entrepreneurs demonstrating leadership potential and passion for positive change

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but the focus is exclusively on:

• Youth-led organizations (founders aged 18-35)
• Commonwealth countries only
• Organizations actively effecting positive social change
• Community-based social enterprises

Ready to write a winning application for The Queen's Commonwealth Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Stephen Ball (Chairman) - Former CEO and lawyer with extensive international experience leading global financial institutions, multinational companies, and professional services firms.

Janette Wilkinson - KPMG partner with experience advising charities.

Ameer Kotecha - Diplomat and Consul General in Ekaterinburg.

Jonathan Andrews - Solicitor and Mayor of Bromley, advocate for disability inclusion.

Samantha Cohen CVO - Chief Executive of Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

Aneeta Williams - International development and humanitarian advocate.

Staff

Julie Bentley - Chief Operating Officer (Interim). Over twenty years' experience in the charity sector leading on finance, HR, and operations.

Mujtaba Zaidi - Head of Programmes & Network Strategy.

Benedict Bryan - Programmes & Engagement Coordinator.

Notable Advisors

The Trust benefits from a diverse advisory board including:

• Ajaz Ahmed MBE - Entrepreneur, founder of AKQA
• Zeinab Badawi - Broadcaster and media professional
• Dr. Rasha Said - Entrepreneur and philanthropist
• Abbey Wemimo - Co-Founder of Esusu, financial technology platform
• Dr. Kamel Hothi OBE - Business leader and motivational speaker

Leadership Philosophy

The organization's approach is captured in their statement: “We put young Commonwealth leaders at the centre of everything we do” by providing funding, tools, and networking opportunities to help them transform their communities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: QECT Network Membership

• Applications to join the network open periodically (not continuously)
• Must be aged 18-35 and based in a Commonwealth country
• Must be actively leading a social enterprise or organization creating positive change
• Access to QECT Network Hub is by application only
• Check queenscommonwealthtrust.org for application windows

Step 2: Grant Applications

• Network members become eligible to apply for grants and technical support
• Access to member-only grants portal
• Specific grant opportunities announced to network members via newsletter and events calendar

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applications are reviewed on a cyclical basis when application windows open.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. The organization is highly selective, with 850+ network members selected since 2018 from across all Commonwealth countries.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. For specific guidance, contact the organization directly at connect@qct.org.uk.

Application Success Factors

What QECT Looks For:

The organization seeks “social entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth (between 18 and 35) who are actively leading and effecting positive change in their communities.” Successful applicants demonstrate:

1. Active Leadership: Not just planning but actively implementing and leading social change initiatives
2. Community Impact: Clear evidence of addressing real problems in their communities
3. Organizational Foundation: Must have founded or lead an organization (not individual activists)
4. SDG Alignment: Projects that contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals
5. Age and Location: Between 18-35 years old, based in Commonwealth countries

Examples of Funded Projects:

• Wessex Social Ventures (Kenya) - Affordable eye care improving quality of life
• Vceela (Pakistan) - Empowering artisans through market connections
• Native Discovery (Malaysia) - Enhancing livelihoods of indigenous Orang Asli communities
• Grow Your Reader Foundation (Bangladesh) - Quality education access for underserved children
• Wreetu (Bangladesh) - Menstrual health education and affordable period products
• Jumpstart Academy Africa (Cameroon) - Bridging education-to-employment gap
• Women & Democracy (Maldives) - Women's economic and political participation
• Oasis Mathare (Kenya) - Reducing illiteracy through technology
• Marotholi Outreach (South Africa) - Preventing childhood malnutrition

Key Success Terminology:

• “Transforming communities”
• “Leading positive social change”
• “Social entrepreneurs”
• “Youth-led organizations”
• “Sustainable Development Goals”
• “Changemakers”

Support Philosophy:

“Flexible funding enables young leaders and their organisations to invest where it will have the best effect” - emphasizing trust in young leaders' judgment rather than restrictive grant conditions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Network membership is essential: You cannot apply for grants without first joining the QECT Network. Plan ahead and apply when membership windows open.

• Age requirement is strict: Founders/leaders must be 18-35. This is non-negotiable and central to the organization's mission.

• Commonwealth focus only: Limited to the 56 Commonwealth countries. Organizations outside this geographic scope will not be eligible.

• Active implementation required: QECT funds organizations that are already operational and demonstrating impact, not those in planning stages. Show evidence of current activities and results.

• Flexible funding model: Unlike many funders, QECT provides unrestricted funding, trusting young leaders to allocate resources where most effective. Emphasize your leadership capacity and judgment.

• Beyond funding: The full value proposition includes network connections, practical tools (from Harvard/Cambridge experts), capacity-building, mentorship, and peer collaboration. Engage fully with the ecosystem.

• SDG alignment is valuable: Frame your work in terms of UN Sustainable Development Goals to demonstrate alignment with QECT's strategic priorities.

References

• “What We Do” page: https://queenscommonwealthtrust.org/what-we-do/
• “About the QECT Network” page: https://queenscommonwealthtrust.org/about-the-network/
• "QECT Trustees, Advisors & Team" page: https://queenscommonwealthtrust.org/qct-trustees-advisors-staff/
• “Our Impact” page: https://queenscommonwealthtrust.org/our-impact/
• “Projects” page: https://queenscommonwealthtrust.org/projects/

• Full charity details: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5085788/full-print
• Financial year ending 31 March 2024

1. Queen's Commonwealth Trust press release: “QCT partners with the Commonwealth Youth Programme for the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Awards” - https://queenscommonwealthtrust.org/qct-partners-with-the-commonwealth-youth-programme-for-2023-commonwealth-youth-awards/

1. The Commonwealth official website - "Queen's Commonwealth Trust" profile: https://thecommonwealth.org/organisations/queens-commonwealth-trust

1. Wikipedia: “Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Queen's_Commonwealth_Trust

1. Grants Database: “Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust Network for Young Leaders 2025” - https://grantsdatabase.org/2025/07/28/queen-elizabeth-ii-commonwealth-trust-network-for-young-leaders-2025-now-open/