The W H Smith Group Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £168,983 (2022)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Reviewed every 6 months (bi-annual rounds)
• Grant Range: £500 - £1,000 (larger grants occasionally awarded)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)

Contact Details

Address: WHSmith Trust, Greenbridge Road, Swindon SN3 3LD

Phone: 01793 616161

Email: corporate.responsibility@whsmith.co.uk

Email (Community Grants): communitygrants@whsmith.co.uk

Website: The WHSmith Trust

Overview

The W H Smith Group Charitable Trust (registered charity number 1013782) was established in 1992 and operates as an independent grant-making charity supporting communities where WHSmith staff and customers live and work. The Trust's principal objective is raising money for charitable purposes and distributing funds to selected charitable organizations. With annual grant-giving of approximately £169,000 (2022), the Trust focuses on three main streams: employee-nominated charities through matching grants, large-scale literacy projects in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, and community grants from carrier bag levy proceeds. The Trust has a long-standing commitment to promoting literacy and reading for pleasure, rooted in its founding connection to Sir Simon Hornby, former chairman of WHSmith PLC who also founded the National Literacy Trust. The organization has celebrated a 15-year partnership with the National Literacy Trust, gifting over 76,000 books to children who need them most.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Employee Matching Grants - Up to £1,000 (rolling basis)

• Matches employee fundraising or the value of time spent volunteering up to £1,000
• Supports charities nominated by WHSmith staff
• Also available to employees who are members of school parent-teacher associations or Boards of Governors
• In 2017, made 60 grants worth over £30,000 through this program

2. Community Grants - Up to £500 (bi-annual rounds)

• Funded through proceeds from compulsory carrier bag levies
• Two application rounds annually: 1st October to 31st March, and 1st April to 30th September
• Applications reviewed at end of each six-month period
• Online application process

3. National Literacy Partnership - Varies (invitation/partnership basis)

• Large-scale literacy projects in partnership with the National Literacy Trust
• Focus on five priority areas: Glasgow, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Swansea, and Swindon
• Participating schools receive teacher training, resource materials, three reading events per child, and £150 annual book vouchers for school libraries

4. School Book Vouchers - £20,000 distributed annually

• WHSmith book vouchers distributed to schools across the UK
• Over 200 schools supported annually
• Schools choose books to increase library resources

Priority Areas

Literacy and Reading

• Promoting reading for pleasure among children
• School library development
• “Live literature” events bringing children into contact with authors, storytellers, and illustrators
• Teacher training for reading for enjoyment
• Focus on areas where link between low literacy levels and poverty is most evident

Community Support

• Local charities in communities where WHSmith operates
• Hospices
• Playgroups
• Scout and Brownie packs
• National campaigns (Save the Children, Help for Heroes, British Heart Foundation, National Autistic Society)

Employee-Connected Causes

• Charities and schools nominated by WHSmith staff
• Causes supported through employee fundraising and volunteering

What They Don't Fund

• Groups of a faith background
• Military groups
• Political organizations
• Unconstituted groups (must be formally constituted to apply for Community Grants)

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees:

• Faye Sherman
• Anthony Richard Lawrence
• Sarah Heath
• Adrian Mansfield
• Natalie Davidson
• Chris Welch
• Paul Green

The Trust operates under a governing document dated 14 July 1992, as amended by deed dated 1 February 2011. All surplus funds are donated at the discretion of the trustees to other charitable organizations, primarily those nominated by staff of the WH Smith Group.

Philosophy: The Trust emphasizes that "research findings show that children who read for pleasure have significantly better life chances than those who don't and promoting the love of reading is the principal objective of our literacy programmes."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Community Grants (up to £500):

• Online application through WHSmith Trust website
• Two annual rounds: 1st October to 31st March, and 1st April to 30th September
• Applications reviewed at the end of each six-month period
• Contact: communitygrants@whsmith.co.uk

For Employee Matching Grants (up to £1,000):

• Available to WHSmith employees who are fundraising or volunteering
• Contact the Trust to discuss: corporate.responsibility@whsmith.co.uk or 01793 616161

For Other Grant Requests:

• Initial contact to discuss the project: corporate.responsibility@whsmith.co.uk or 01793 616161
• Applications may be made at any time
• Applicants should have a WHSmith employee connection where possible

Decision Timeline

Community Grants: Applications reviewed every six months at the end of each application period (31st March and 30th September). Grants issued following review.

Employee Matching Grants: Rolling basis throughout the year.

Other Grants: No fixed timeline stated; applicants should contact the Trust to discuss.

Success Rates

In 2017, the employee matching program made 60 grants worth over £30,000. During 2022, total grants awarded were £168,983, up from £90,441 in 2021. Specific success rates for applications are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly stated. Applicants should contact the Trust for clarification.

Application Success Factors

Strong Employee Connection

The Trust prioritizes charities and schools where WHSmith employees have direct involvement. Most successful applications come through employee nominations, volunteering, or fundraising. Schools with WHSmith parent-governors or PTA members have a clear advantage.

Literacy Focus

Projects that promote reading for pleasure, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, align with the Trust's core mission. The Trust specifically states: "research findings show that children who read for pleasure have significantly better life chances than those who don't and promoting the love of reading is the principal objective of our literacy programmes."

Geographic Alignment

The Trust supports communities where WHSmith operates, with particular emphasis on five literacy priority areas: Glasgow, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Swansea, and Swindon. Organizations in these areas or near WHSmith stores have stronger chances of success.

National Literacy Trust Partnership Example

The Trust's 15-year partnership with the National Literacy Trust demonstrates their commitment to sustained, large-scale literacy initiatives. This partnership has gifted over 76,000 books and reached over 27,000 children, including projects like the “Gift a Gruffalo” campaign and the WHSmith Ultimate Writing Challenge.

Diverse Beneficiaries

Past recipients include a wide range of organizations - from small local groups (hospices, playgroups, Scout and Brownie packs) to major national charities (Save the Children, Help for Heroes, British Heart Foundation, National Autistic Society). This shows the Trust values both grassroots and established organizations.

Community Grant Eligibility

For the £500 community grants funded by carrier bag levy proceeds, constituted groups including voluntary organizations, charities, schools, and pre-schools are eligible. The Trust explicitly excludes faith-based, military, or political groups from this program.

Contact First Approach

The Trust encourages initial contact to discuss projects before formal application, suggesting they value dialogue and relationship-building. Applicants should use this opportunity to ensure alignment before investing time in a full application.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Employee connection is crucial - Most successful grants involve WHSmith staff through fundraising, volunteering, or school governance roles. If you have any WHSmith employee links, emphasize them prominently.

• Literacy projects are the priority - The Trust's core mission is promoting reading for pleasure, especially for disadvantaged children. Frame your project around literacy outcomes where possible, particularly if you're in Glasgow, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Swansea, or Swindon.

• Choose the right grant stream - Don't apply for a £500 community grant if you have employee connections that could unlock up to £1,000 in matching funds. Understand which program fits your situation.

• Contact before applying - The Trust welcomes pre-application contact. Use this to test fit, clarify eligibility, and build rapport before submitting a formal application.

• Time your application strategically - For community grants, submit early in the six-month window rather than at the deadline to ensure your application receives full consideration.

• Be constituted and non-partisan - Ensure your organization is formally constituted and has no faith, military, or political affiliation if applying for community grants.

• Think long-term partnership - The 15-year National Literacy Trust partnership shows the Trust values sustained relationships. If seeking larger support, demonstrate how you could be a strategic partner, not just a one-off grant recipient.

References

• The W H Smith Group Charitable Trust - Charity Commission Register
• The WHSmith Trust - WH Smith PLC
• National Literacy Trust Partnership Announcement - 15 Year Celebration
• The W H Smith Group Charitable Trust - Bath and North East Somerset Council
• WHSmith Trust Community Grants - Making Music
• WHSmith Trust Community Grants Information - BAND Ltd
• WHSmith Community Grant - Voscur
• WHSmith Trust - PAVO

Accessed: December 2025