The Williams Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £124,300 (year ended 30 June 2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified (rolling basis)
• Grant Range: Under £1,000 - £20,000
• Geographic Focus: UK (primarily), with operations in England, Scotland, and Ireland
• Number of Grants: 18 grants awarded in 2023

Contact Details

Registered Office:

Flat 85, Capital Wharf

50 Wapping High Street

London, E1W 1LY

Phone: 020 7488 0314

Website: The Trust does not maintain a website

Email: Not publicly available

Note: The Trust may be contacted at any time in writing to enquire about the prospect of grant support.

Overview

The Williams Charitable Trust, also known as The Stuart and Hilary Williams Foundation, was registered as a charity on 21 May 2001 (Charity Number: 1086668). As of 30 June 2024, the Trust had total income of £120,330 and total expenditure of £159,069, with annual grant-making of £124,300 in 2023 (up from £39,405 in 2022). The Trust is a proactive family-based grant-making charity with its principal office in East London. The Trust's mission is to support education and training, arts and theatre, the advancement of medicine, maintenance of the environment, and protection of heritage. Stuart and Hilary Williams are active supporters of major UK theatre institutions, including the National Theatre and the Donmar Warehouse, and have established bursaries at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. Applications are accepted at any time through written correspondence.

• General Grant Programme: Under £1,000 - £20,000 (rolling applications via letter of introduction)
• In 2023, 18 grants were awarded totalling £124,300
• Several grants of £20,000 were awarded in the most recent funding round

Priority Areas

The Trust supports:

• Education and Training: Educational institutions and training programmes for young people
• Arts and Theatre: Theatrical productions, theatre education, performing arts organizations, and theatre bursaries
• Medicine: Advancement of medical knowledge and healthcare initiatives
• Environment: Environmental conservation and maintenance projects
• Heritage: Protection and preservation of cultural and historical heritage
• Local Community Activities: Community-based projects and initiatives

The Trust generally makes grants to institutions and individuals in support of theatrical, educational, and local community activities, though it can make grants in any part of the world.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the Trust focuses on causes aligned with their stated charitable objectives.

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by five trustees:

1. Stuart Kenneth Mathieson Williams - Chair
2. Hilary Ann Williams - Trustee
3. Andrew Mathieson Williams - Trustee (also trustee of Meads Community Centre)
4. Matthew Thomas Mathieson Williams - Trustee
5. Evangeline Fender - Trustee (appointed 08 May 2022)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust is family-based, led by Stuart and Hilary Williams, who are established patrons of the arts. Hilary Williams is a West End and Broadway theatre producer involved in major productions, and was an executive producer of the award-winning film Judy starring Renée Zellwegger.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

There is no formal public application process. The Trustees take a proactive approach in seeking worthy causes requiring support.

Recommended approach:

A letter of introduction is the best way to make contact with the Trust in the first instance. The Trust may be contacted at any time in writing to enquire about the prospect of grant support.

Address applications to:

The Trustees

The Williams Charitable Trust

Flat 85, Capital Wharf

50 Wapping High Street

London, E1W 1LY

Who can apply:

• UK registered charities working in the UK and/or overseas
• Individuals (grants to individuals are awarded occasionally)

Getting on Their Radar

The Trust has a proactive approach to grant-making, meaning trustees actively seek out causes to support rather than waiting for applications. Organizations can increase their visibility by:

• Theatre sector connections: Stuart and Hilary Williams are known supporters of major UK theatre institutions including the National Theatre and the Donmar Warehouse. Organizations with connections to the professional theatre sector may benefit from these networks.

• Royal Central School of Speech and Drama: The Williams family has established the Hilary and Stuart Williams Bursaries at this institution, indicating a specific interest in supporting theatre education and training.

• Personal introduction: Given the family-based, proactive nature of the Trust, personal introductions through theatre or educational networks may be valuable.

Decision Timeline

The Trust operates on a rolling basis with no fixed application deadlines. Decision timelines are not publicly specified and likely vary depending on the nature of the request and trustees' meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. In the year ended 30 June 2023, the Trust made 18 grants totalling £124,300.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Given the Trust's proactive approach and family-based structure, the following factors are likely important:

• Alignment with theatre, education, or community focus: The Trust has demonstrated particular interest in theatrical and educational causes. Projects combining these elements (such as theatre education programmes) appear well-aligned with their priorities.

• Clear articulation of need: Since contact is initiated through a letter of introduction, the ability to concisely communicate your organization's mission, the specific need, and the potential impact is crucial.

• Connection to the performing arts sector: The trustees' deep involvement in professional theatre (National Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama) suggests organizations with credible theatre credentials may receive particular attention.

• Quality over quantity: With only 18 grants awarded annually and a proactive approach, the Trust appears to be highly selective, focusing on causes that strongly resonate with the trustees' interests.

• Geographic considerations: While the Trust can fund internationally, it operates primarily in the UK with a focus on England, Scotland, and Ireland. Local community activities are mentioned as a priority.

• Demonstrated impact: Given the increase in grant-making from £39,405 in 2022 to £124,300 in 2023, the Trust appears to be expanding its support to causes that demonstrate meaningful impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Proactive approach means no formal application: Don't expect an application form or portal. A well-crafted letter of introduction is your entry point.

• Theatre and education are core interests: Projects combining these elements, or those in the professional theatre sector, appear most aligned with the trustees' demonstrated interests.

• Family-based trust favours personal connections: This is not a bureaucratic grant-making body. Building relationships and securing introductions through theatre or education networks may be valuable.

• Grant sizes vary significantly: Awards range from under £1,000 to £20,000, suggesting the Trust supports both small community projects and more substantial initiatives.

• No website means traditional communication: All contact must be through written correspondence. Professional, well-presented letters are essential.

• Limited annual grants mean high selectivity: With only 18 grants in 2023, competition is likely intense. Only approach if your cause strongly aligns with their stated priorities.

• Trustees' active involvement in theatre sector: Stuart and Hilary Williams' support of major institutions like the National Theatre and Royal Central School suggests they value professional excellence and established track records.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Alfred Williams Charitable Trust
• Sustrans (Walk Wheel Cycle Trust)
• Ecological Restoration Fund
• The Big Give Trust
• THE CORTON HILL TRUST
• THE HEADLEY TRUST
• John Ellerman Foundation
• THE RUFFORD FOUNDATION
• The Ashla Charitable Trust
• The Pilgrim Trust
• The Golden Bottle Trust
• Lancashire Environmental Fund Limited
• THE LINBURY TRUST
• Q Charitable Trust
• The Marsh Charitable Trust
• The Helvellyn Foundation
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• National Lottery
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION
• THE RIVERS TRUST

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales, “THE WILLIAMS CHARITABLE TRUST - Charity overview,” Register of Charities, Charity Number 1086668. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1086668&subid=0 (Accessed: December 2024)

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales, “THE WILLIAMS CHARITABLE TRUST - Full print,” Register of Charities. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3980526/full-print (Accessed: December 2024)

1. Portsmouth Area Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), “THE WILLIAMS CHARITABLE TRUST.” Available at: https://www.pavo.org.uk/news/the-williams-charitable-trust/ (Accessed: December 2024)

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council, “The Williams Charitable Trust.” Available at: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/87609 (Accessed: December 2024)

1. Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, “Hilary and Stuart Williams Bursaries.” Available at: https://www.cssd.ac.uk/fees-funding/scholarships-bursaries-awards/hilary-and-stuart-williams-bursaries (Accessed: December 2024)

1. National Theatre, “Current supporters.” Available at: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/join-support/current-supporters/ (Accessed: December 2024)