The Ruby And Will George Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £154,170 (2023-24)
• Annual Income: £117,389 (2023-24)
• Decision Time: Quarterly trustee meetings
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (varies by individual need)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Beneficiary Type: Individuals (not organizations)

Contact Details

Website: www.rwgt.co.uk

Email: admin@rwgt.co.uk

Phone: 01912664527

Address: 125 Cloverfield, West Allotment, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE27 0BE

Overview

The Ruby and Will George Trust was established in 1966 by Ruby and Will George, founders of Pimpernel Ltd (formerly Celluware Supply Company), a placemat manufacturing company in Northeast England. The Trust became fully active in 1992 following the sale of Pimpernel, releasing funds for charitable purposes. Registered as charity number 264042, the Trust operates across England and Wales with a clear mission: “to remove the financial barriers to anyone achieving a decent standard of living and accessing educational opportunities.” With an annual expenditure of £154,170 (2023-24), the Trust remains true to its founding vision of “equality of life and opportunity,” continuing to be run by family members who uphold Ruby and Will's commitment to supporting hardworking individuals who faced hardship in their local community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust makes grants directly to individuals (not to organizations) through a quarterly application process. All grants fall into two categories:

• Educational Advancement: Support for individuals pursuing higher education, including undergraduate degrees, postgraduate studies (DPhil, PhD), professional training (medicine, art therapy, opera), and career development courses
• Relief of Poverty: Financial assistance to individuals facing economic hardship affecting their standard of living

Priority Areas

The Trust supports individuals across diverse educational fields:

• Higher education (university degrees, Cambridge, Royal Northern College)
• Postgraduate research (PhD, DPhil programs)
• Professional training (medicine, art therapy, opera)
• Career development and skills training

Critical Eligibility Requirement - Commerce Connection:

Every successful applicant must demonstrate a “commerce connection” - defined as “a connection to buying or selling products or services that has resulted in an exchange of money.” This connection can be established through:

• The applicant themselves
• Spouse (husband/wife)
• Widow/widower
• Parents (mother/father)
• Grandparents (grandmother/grandfather)
• Aunt/uncle

Examples of qualifying commerce connections include: retail workers, fish & chip shop employees, carpenters, or anyone employed in the sale of goods and services.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust's focus is clearly on:

• Individual applicants only (not organizational grants)
• Educational or poverty relief needs only
• Applicants who can demonstrate a commerce connection

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by six trustees who serve without remuneration. The organization maintains its family connection, with family members continuing to run the Trust in accordance with Ruby and Will's founding principles. The trustees meet quarterly to assess applications and make funding decisions.

The Trust's philosophy reflects the founders' core belief in supporting hardworking people. As stated on their website, Ruby and Will viewed a commerce connection as evidence of a “strong work ethic” and wanted to help those who “wanted to advance in life.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust accepts applications through an online application process on their website (www.rwgt.co.uk). The process involves:

1. Complete the online application and clearly explain your commerce connection
2. Submit all supporting documents by post, including your application reference number on every piece of documentation

Decision Timeline

• Trustee meetings: Held quarterly (every three months)
• Application processing: Applications are assessed at quarterly meetings
• Specific meeting dates: Available in the FAQ section of their website
• Decision timeframe: Applications are reviewed based on the quarterly meeting schedule, so timing depends on when applications are submitted relative to upcoming meetings

Success Rates

Success rate information is not publicly available. However, the Trust's annual expenditure of £154,170 suggests they support multiple individuals each year across their educational and poverty relief programs.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy is not explicitly stated on their website. Applicants should contact admin@rwgt.co.uk for guidance on reapplication if unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's explicit guidance and beneficiary examples, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Commerce Connection: This is mandatory and must be proven with documentation. The Trust emphasizes that this requirement reflects their founders' belief in helping hardworking individuals. Provide a brief explanation in your application form and submit a recent payslip or employer letter as evidence.

1. Demonstrated Financial Need: The Trust assesses applications based on "the individual's level of need." Applications should clearly document current financial circumstances with proof of earnings, housing costs, and utility expenses.

1. Educational or Poverty Relief Purpose: Grants are strictly limited to these two purposes. Educational applications should clearly articulate how funding will support specific educational goals (degree completion, professional qualification, skills training).

1. Complete Documentation: The Trust requires comprehensive supporting documents including two references. Incomplete applications may delay or jeopardize consideration.

1. Diverse Backgrounds Welcome: The Trust has supported single parents, mature students returning to education, postgraduate researchers, and individuals from various educational fields - demonstrating openness to different circumstances and career paths.

Recent beneficiaries include:

• Alison (DPhil student)
• Chris (three-year PhD)
• Emma (opera student at Royal Northern College)
• Fi (single parent of four pursuing studies)
• Hannah (medicine student)
• James (Cambridge University)
• Ruth (Art Therapy training)
• Sophie (returning to education)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

⚠️ Note: This funder provides grants to individuals only, not to organizations. The following guidance is for individual applicants:

• Commerce connection is non-negotiable: Without documented evidence of employment in commerce (buying/selling goods or services) by you or a qualifying family member, your application will not succeed. Gather payslips or employer letters before applying.

• Timing matters: With quarterly trustee meetings, plan your application submission strategically. Check the FAQ section for specific meeting dates to understand decision timelines.

• Financial transparency is essential: Be prepared to provide comprehensive financial documentation including earnings, housing costs, and utility bills. The Trust assesses based on demonstrated need.

• Registration is required: Obtain your application reference number through the registration process before submitting supporting documents.

• Educational purpose must be clear: If applying for educational support, articulate specific educational goals and how funding will enable completion or advancement.

• Family connections qualify: Don't assume you're ineligible - check if parents, grandparents, spouse, or even aunts/uncles worked in commerce (retail, hospitality, trades, etc.).

• The Trust values work ethic: Ruby and Will's founding philosophy emphasized helping hardworking people who want to advance. Frame your application to demonstrate your commitment and work ethic alongside your need.

References

1. The Ruby and Will George Trust official website - Homepage: https://www.rwgt.co.uk/
2. The Ruby and Will George Trust - What We Do: https://www.rwgt.co.uk/what-we-do/
3. The Ruby and Will George Trust - Before You Apply: https://www.rwgt.co.uk/before-you-apply/
4. The Ruby and Will George Trust - Commerce Connection: https://www.rwgt.co.uk/commerce-connection/
5. The Ruby and Will George Trust - Who We've Helped: https://www.rwgt.co.uk/who-weve-helped/
6. The Ruby and Will George Trust - Our History: https://www.rwgt.co.uk/our-history/
7. The Ruby and Will George Trust - Contact Us: https://www.rwgt.co.uk/contact-us/
8. Charity Commission Register of Charities - THE RUBY AND WILL GEORGE TRUST (264042): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=264042&subid=0