The Vtct Foundation

Charity Number: 1155360

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,018,410 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified
  • Grant Range: Up to £25,000 (small grants); £25,000+ (major grants)
  • Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
  • Current Status: General grant applications on hold; Career Development Programme still accepting applications

Contact Details

Website: www.vtctfoundation.org.uk

Email: companysecretary@vtctfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 07974 837074

Registered Office: Aspire House, Annealing Close, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 9PX

For Grant Enquiries:

Lizzie Chambers, Grant Manager

Email: lizzie.chambers@vtctfoundation.org.uk

Overview

The VTCT Foundation is an independent grant-making charitable foundation established in 2014 following a one-off gift from VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust). The Foundation works exclusively to improve the lives of people living with visible difference through funding basic science research, clinical research, and service provision. With an annual expenditure of over £1 million (2024), the Foundation has funded more than 36 organisations since 2015 through major and small grants programmes and themed funding initiatives. The Foundation hosts the Appearance Collective, a network of over 130 individuals from some 60 organisations working in the visible difference arena. Following 11 years of grant-making, the Foundation is currently in a transition phase, developing a new legacy strategy while maintaining its Career Development Programme for researchers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

IMPORTANT NOTE: The VTCT Foundation has put a hold on general project applications while developing a new strategy for future funding. Only the Career Development Programme is currently accepting applications.

Career Development Programme (Currently Open)

  • PhD stipends and Research Fellowships
  • Funds stipends only (aligned with host institution policies)
  • Does not cover student fees, supervision costs, or indirect research costs
  • Application: Download form and email to lizzie.chambers@vtctfoundation.org.uk
  • Rolling basis

Previous General Grant Programmes (Currently On Hold)

  • Small Grants: Up to £25,000
  • Major Grants: Over £25,000 (required initial expression of interest)
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Fund: Up to £25,000

Priority Areas

All funding focuses specifically on visible difference - people with scars, marks, or conditions on their face or body that make them look different, whether congenital or acquired during life.

Research Priorities:

  • Basic science research into visible difference
  • Clinical research and treatment development
  • Psychological and emotional health interventions
  • Digital solutions for psychological and physical health needs
  • 3D bioprinting and reconstructive surgery innovation

Service Delivery Priorities:

  • Direct support services for people with visible differences
  • Peer support programmes (online and in-person)
  • Psychosocial interventions
  • Appearance-related concerns support
  • Community outreach to under-represented groups

Key Strategic Themes:

  • Evidence-based interventions
  • Strong evaluation of research and projects
  • Inter-charity collaboration
  • Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) as standard
  • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, funding is restricted to:

  • UK-based, formally constituted, not-for-profit organisations only
  • Projects benefiting those affected by visible difference issues in the UK
  • Career Development Programme: Does not fund student fees, supervision costs, or indirect research costs
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Governance and Leadership

Staff Team

Lizzie Chambers - Grant Manager

Brings over 30 years of experience in the voluntary sector across senior executive, programme management, and fundraising roles. Joined the Foundation in September 2023. Manages grant programmes and coordinates the Appearance Collective network activities.

Caroline Sharp FCA DChA - Finance Manager

Provides finance and governance support to trustees. A freelance charity accountant and independent examiner who previously spent 20 years as a charity auditor and advisor.

Trustees

The Foundation has 6 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Specific trustee names were not publicly available in current web sources.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Career Development Programme (Currently Accepting Applications):

  1. Download the Career Development Application Form from the website
  2. Complete the form with project details
  3. Email completed form to lizzie.chambers@vtctfoundation.org.uk

Previous General Grant Applications (Currently On Hold):

  • Small grants (up to £25,000): Direct application via application forms
  • Major grants (over £25,000): Initial expression of interest required, followed by full application if trustees decide to progress

Eligibility Requirements

  • UK-based organisations
  • Formally constituted
  • Not-for-profit status
  • Operating for the benefit of those affected by appearance and visible difference issues in the UK
  • Must provide proof of registration with UK Charity Commission
  • Most recent audited accounts or independent examination required

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly stated. For Career Development Programme, applications are considered on a rolling basis.

Success Rates

Success rates and application-to-award ratios are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in available sources.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Evidence-Based Approach: The Foundation remains “committed to evidence-based interventions, strong evaluation of research and projects.” Applications should demonstrate rigorous methodology and clear evaluation frameworks.

Collaboration: Inter-charity collaboration is valued. Joint applications are welcomed, particularly for EDI-related projects where “joining forces might help improve outcomes whilst helping resources go even further.”

Patient and Public Involvement: PPI is expected “as standard” in funded projects. Applicants should demonstrate meaningful engagement with people living with visible difference.

Flexibility and Co-Funding: The Foundation encourages applicants “to be flexible in thinking about wider sources of income and partners in co-funding.” Projects demonstrating match funding or institutional support are preferred for Career Development Programme applications.

Reach to Under-Represented Groups: EDI considerations are important. Examples include “updating website photos to ensure images are representative of everyone who might want to access the resources” and “launching awareness campaigns about services offered in order to reach any underserved communities.”

Examples of Funded Projects

Changing Faces - Online Peer Support: Five-year New Ways of Working project enabling digitisation of admin processes and expansion of online peer group chat service. Result: 83% of group members reported improvement in coping with appearance-related concerns.

Microtia Research - 3D Bioprinting: Revolutionary ear reconstruction surgery research using 3D printing cartilage tissue. Generated pilot data that secured over £1 million from Scar Free Foundation for a Centre for 3D Bioprinting for Facial Reconstruction.

Centre for Appearance Research (CAR): Four-year programme delivering evidence-based resources including e-books for parents and podcasts addressing romantic relationships and intimacy for people with visible differences.

Alopecia UK: Project informed by CAR research, producing more gender-relevant products following discussions at VTCT events.

Language and Terminology

The Foundation consistently uses the term “visible difference” rather than “disfigurement” in contemporary communications, though their charitable objects reference both. Applications should:

  • Focus on improving lives of people with visible difference
  • Address social, physical, psychological, and emotional challenges
  • Demonstrate understanding of appearance-related concerns
  • Show awareness of psychosocial perspectives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Currently Limited Opportunities: General grant applications are on hold indefinitely. Only the Career Development Programme is accepting applications. Consider joining the Appearance Collective network (email lizzie.chambers@vtctfoundation.org.uk) to stay informed about future funding opportunities.
  1. Evidence and Evaluation Are Critical: The Foundation places strong emphasis on evidence-based approaches and robust evaluation. Applications must demonstrate clear methodologies and measurable outcomes.
  1. Collaboration Strengthens Applications: Joint applications and partnerships are actively encouraged. Consider collaborating with other organisations in the visible difference sector or becoming part of the Appearance Collective network before applying.
  1. Co-Funding Matters: For Career Development Programme, preference is given to institutions offering co-funding or match funding. Demonstrate institutional commitment and additional funding sources.
  1. Patient Voice Is Essential: Patient and Public Involvement is expected as standard practice. Show how people with lived experience of visible difference are meaningfully involved in project design, delivery, and evaluation.
  1. Alignment with Appearance Collective Themes: Research proposals aligned with Appearance Collective priorities receive preference. Engage with the network to understand current themes and gaps in the field.
  1. Think Legacy and Impact: As the Foundation develops its legacy strategy, applications should demonstrate how projects will create lasting impact, build research capacity, or strengthen the visible difference sector for the long term.

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References