The Will Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??1,530,327 (2024)
• Success Rate: 20-33% (varies by category)
• Decision Time: At least 3 trustee meetings annually; acknowledgment within 2 weeks
• Grant Range: ??3,000 - ??30,000 (unrestricted grants capped at ??10,000)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (registered UK charities only; limited international for blindness work)

Contact Details

Address: Bridge House, 11 Creek Road, East Molesey, KT8 9BE

Email: grantsoffice@willcharitabletrust.org.uk

Phone: 020 8941 0450 (part-time staffing)

Website: www.willcharitabletrust.org.uk

Note: Currently closed to applications until Spring 2026 for strategic review.

Overview

The Will Charitable Trust was established in 1989 (registered June 9, 1989) through private philanthropy to support UK charities working in three specific areas: care of blind people and prevention/cure of blindness, long-term care for people with learning disabilities, and care and services for people suffering from cancer and their families. In the financial year ending April 5, 2024, the Trust distributed ??1,530,327 in charitable grants from an income of ??548,714 (primarily from investments). The Trust is governed by 4 trustees who receive no remuneration, with 3 staff members supporting operations. After over 35 years of grant-making, the Trust closed to new applications at the end of 2024 to undertake a strategic review, with reopening expected during Spring 2026 with a revised programme.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Project Grants: ??3,000 - ??30,000

Typically one-off annual awards for specific projects or capital needs within the three priority areas. Rare larger awards occasionally made but unlikely for lesser-known organizations. Applications accepted via rolling basis (no fixed deadlines) when open.

Unrestricted Grants: up to ??10,000

Core funding for smaller charities demonstrating financial need and healthy organizational track record. Prioritizes organizations requiring operational support.

Application Method: Rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. At least three trustee meetings held annually to review applications across all three focus areas.

Priority Areas

1. Blind Care & Blindness Prevention

• Care and services for blind people
• Prevention and cure of blindness
• UK registered charities or exempt charities (international organizations may apply but limited to maximum two awards yearly)
• Success rate: approximately 1 in 3 eligible applications
• Approximately 19 charities supported annually

2. Long-Term Care for People with Learning Disabilities

• Residential care or supported living providing family environment and wide choice of activities/lifestyle
• Very long-term day/employment activities
• Must demonstrate long-term commitment (does not typically fund schools or colleges)
• Success rate: approximately 1 in 3 eligible applications
• Approximately 17 charities supported annually

3. Cancer Care & Services

• Care and services for people suffering from cancer and their families
• Priority given to charities whose primary focus is cancer care
• Success rate: approximately 1 in 5 eligible applications
• Lower success rate than other categories

What They Don't Fund

• Unregistered organizations or individuals
• Grant-making bodies that distribute funds to others
• Retrospective or completed projects
• Academic research, campaigning, or lobbying activities
• Statutory services or NHS equipment
• Non-UK beneficiaries (except limited blindness prevention work internationally)
• General donation appeals

Key Eligibility Requirements

• UK registered charity or properly exempt charity status
• Minimum annual turnover of ??50,000
• Liquid reserves not exceeding 18 months' expenditure (unless financial hardship can be demonstrated)
• Clear demonstration of funding need
• Healthy organizational track record

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust operates with 4 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all resources are directed to grant-making. The organization employs 3 staff members to support operations, with none receiving total benefits exceeding ??60,000.

The Trust operates under a trust deed dated March 20, 1989, as amended by resolution dated April 4, 2017. The governing document grants trustees broad discretion: “to distribute funds to such charitable institutions or charitable purposes in such manner and (if more than one) in such shares or proportions as the trustees shall in their absolute discretion from time to time determine.”

The Trust maintains part-time staffing in the Grants Office, with intermittent availability for queries from applicants and existing grant recipients.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: Applications temporarily closed until Spring 2026 for strategic review.

When Open:

1. Check Eligibility: Review detailed eligibility criteria and category-specific guidance on the website
2. No Application Form Required: Submit all required information via email to grantsoffice@willcharitabletrust.org.uk or post to Bridge House office
3. Include All Required Information: Incomplete applications will not be processed

Required Components for All Applications:

• Organization overview (name, contact details, charity number, brief history, aims, client/beneficiary information, staff/volunteer numbers)
• Latest audited accounts and annual review
• Reserve policy details
• Supporting materials (newsletters, promotional materials)

For Project Grants, Additionally Provide:

• Project description (necessity, beneficiaries, delivery method)
• Total cost with itemized breakdown and VAT details
• Funding strategy and amounts raised to date
• Details of other pending applications
• Contingency plan if full fundraising target not achieved
• Project timeline

For Unrestricted Grants, Additionally Provide:

• Justification for funding need (specific financial circumstances)
• Budget allocation plans
• Future funding strategy
• Comprehensive financial documentation including draft accounts if available

Decision Timeline

• Rolling Basis: No fixed deadlines when applications are open
• Trustee Meetings: At least three meetings held annually to consider applications across all three focus areas
• Acknowledgment: Within 2 weeks of receipt, including estimated consideration date
• Decision Notification: Successful applicants notified “normally within a week” of trustee review
• Rejection: No formal rejection letters sent; silence indicates unsuccessful application

Success Rates

Success rates vary significantly by category:

• Blind Care: Approximately 1 in 3 eligible applications funded
• Learning Disabilities: Approximately 1 in 3 eligible applications funded
• Cancer Care: Approximately 1 in 5 eligible applications funded (lower success rate)

The Trust supports approximately 19 charities annually in blind care, 17 in learning disabilities, and fewer in cancer care, with total annual distribution of approximately ??1.5 million.

Reapplication Policy

• Annual Applications Permitted: Charities may apply every year regardless of previous outcomes
• Minimum Interval: Leave at least 12 months between applications
• Multi-Year Projects: Separate applications for successive years welcomed for ongoing initiatives
• Multiple Applications: Charities may submit multiple project proposals but should consult the grants administrator first
• Reporting Affects Future Applications: Failure to submit required progress reports affects consideration of future applications

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Trust

On Grant Structure: “Grants are usually one-off payments and we rarely commit to future funding.” Applicants should not expect multi-year commitments but may reapply annually for ongoing work.

On Publicity: “We do not like any publicity” - the Trust explicitly prohibits mentions in advertisements, websites, or annual reviews. Grant recipients may only disclose the funder privately.

On Completeness: The Trust “will not consider incomplete applications” - ensure all required information is provided per category-specific guidelines.

On Reserves: Charities with liquid reserves exceeding 18 months' expenditure are unlikely to receive funding unless they can demonstrate financial hardship or exceptional circumstances.

What the Trust Values

1. Long-term commitment: Particularly for learning disabilities work, the Trust seeks organizations providing “very long term” support, not short-term interventions or educational programs
2. Demonstrated need: Both organizational financial need and client/beneficiary need must be clearly articulated
3. Primary focus alignment: For cancer care, priority goes to organizations whose primary charitable purpose is cancer-related
4. Financial health with genuine need: Organizations must show both a healthy track record and legitimate funding gaps
5. Specific, well-costed projects: Project grants require itemized budgets and clear delivery plans
6. Realistic fundraising strategies: Contingency plans required if full funding not secured

Standing Out

• Be specific about long-term impact: Particularly for learning disabilities work, demonstrate commitment to beneficiaries over extended periods
• Show how grant fills a gap: Whether for a specific project or core funding, clearly articulate why this funding is needed now
• Demonstrate financial stewardship: Show responsible reserves management and future sustainability planning
• Provide comprehensive information upfront: Avoid delays by including all required documentation in initial submission
• Consider unrestricted funding if appropriate: Smaller charities with genuine core funding needs may find this route more successful than project grants

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Applying with reserves exceeding 18 months' expenditure without strong justification
• Submitting incomplete applications lacking required financial documentation
• Requesting funding for retrospective or already-completed work
• Applying for research, campaigning, or lobbying activities outside the three priority areas
• Expecting multi-year funding commitments
• Publicizing the Trust's support in external communications
• Failing to submit required progress reports from previous grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Category matters: Success rates vary significantly - blind care and learning disabilities have 33% success rates versus 20% for cancer care; choose your category carefully and ensure strong fit
• Financial positioning is critical: Organizations must demonstrate both financial health (minimum ??50,000 turnover) and genuine need (reserves under 18 months' expenditure) - this balance is key
• One-off funding model: Expect single-year grants only; build multi-year support through annual reapplications with 12-month intervals, not through multi-year commitments
• No publicity allowed: Unlike most funders, this Trust prohibits public acknowledgment - do not include in donor lists, websites, or publications
• Currently closed but worth preparing: With reopening expected Spring 2026 with a “revised programme,” start building relationship and preparing strong application for when they reopen
• Completeness counts: No application form makes it easy to apply, but incomplete submissions rejected outright - use category-specific checklists to ensure all required information provided
• Strategic review means changes ahead: The Spring 2026 reopening will bring a revised programme; monitor website for updates on new priorities, processes, or criteria

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• BBC Children in Need
• The Big Give Trust
• Quartet Community Foundation
• Milton Keynes Community Foundation Limited
• THE CHILDWICK TRUST
• THE VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST
• The Nisbet Trust
• The Medlock Charitable Trust
• THE KENTOWN WIZARD FOUNDATION
• THE NATIONAL BENEVOLENT CHARITY
• THE DAVID FAMILY FOUNDATION
• Woodroffe Benton Foundation
• Anson Charitable Trust
• Richer Sounds Foundation
• CLA Charitable Trust
• I CAN DO IT LIMITED
• SMITH CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE PHARSALIA CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE PORTISHEAD NAUTICAL TRUST

References

1. The Will Charitable Trust official website - About Us. https://www.willcharitabletrust.org.uk/

1. The Will Charitable Trust - How to Apply. https://www.willcharitabletrust.org.uk/howtoapply.htm

1. The Will Charitable Trust - Eligibility Criteria. https://www.willcharitabletrust.org.uk/eligibility.htm

1. The Will Charitable Trust - FAQs. https://www.willcharitabletrust.org.uk/faqs.htm

1. The Will Charitable Trust - Application Requirements: Learning Category. https://www.willcharitabletrust.org.uk/whatweneed-learning.htm

1. The Will Charitable Trust - Application Requirements: Blind Category. https://www.willcharitabletrust.org.uk/whatweneed-blind.htm

1. The Will Charitable Trust - Application Requirements: Cancer Category. https://www.willcharitabletrust.org.uk/whatweneed-cancer.htm

1. UK Charity Commission - The Will Charitable Trust, Charity No. 801682. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=801682

1. Funding Scotland - The Will Charitable Trust. https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000000Ng9aEAC/the-will-charitable-trust