The Wilson Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~£90,000 - £520,000 (varies by year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not specified (applications considered individually)
• Grant Range: £7,500 - £35,000 (organisations); varies for individuals
• Geographic Focus: Northamptonshire only

Contact Details

• Website: www.thewilsonfoundation.org.uk
• Email: polly@tithefarm.com
• Phone: +44 (0)1604 782240
• Address: The Maltings, Tithe Farm, Moulton Road, Holcot, Northampton, NN6 9SH

Overview

The Wilson Foundation (Charity Number: 1189601) was established in 1970 in memory of Connolly Thomas Wilson OBE, a Northamptonshire man who created a highly successful building company. The foundation operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered since May 2020. Its primary mission is to give “a helping hand” to underprivileged young people under 21 years old living in Northamptonshire through character-building exercises and development opportunities.

In the financial year ending April 2024, the charity had a total income of £114,477 and total expenditure of £240,472. Expenditure has fluctuated significantly, reaching £520,855 in 2023. The Wilson family successors have remained loyal benefactors, donating considerable funds over the decades. The foundation supports a diverse range of community projects within Northamptonshire, including regular donations to The Prince's Trust, Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs, Starlight Children's Charity, and Northamptonshire Community Foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Grants to Individuals:

• Funding for school excursions, outward bound courses, school uniforms, children's sports camps, and community youth work
• Does NOT fund university or college fees or living expenses

Grants to Organisations (2024 examples):

• Northamptonshire Community Foundation - Young People's Fund: £35,000
• Northampton Saints Foundation - Education Mentoring Programme: £30,000
• Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs - Emerging Leaders Course: £10,000
• Pacesetter Sports - Travel costs for Pacesetter Games: £8,500
• Northamptonshire Trampoline Gymnastics Association - Olympic Legacy Activity Days: £7,500

Priority Areas

• Youth development and education initiatives
• Character-building and leadership programmes
• Sports and physical activity programmes for young people
• Diversion from criminal justice initiatives
• Community engagement projects for under-21s
• Outdoor adventure and expedition activities
• Projects that build aspirations, leadership skills, and community engagement

What They Don't Fund

• University or college fees
• Living expenses for higher education
• Projects outside Northamptonshire
• Applicants not resident in Northamptonshire for at least 12 months
• Individuals over 21 years old

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (6 Total)

• Nicholas Connolly Wilson - Chair (appointed 21 May 2020)
• Pollyanna Sarah Wilson (appointed 21 May 2020) - Primary contact
• Adam Charles Welch (appointed 21 May 2020)
• Anthony Clive Hewitt (appointed 21 May 2020)
• Thomas Joseph Wilson (appointed 23 March 2023)
• Marcus Learoyd (appointed 27 February 2024)

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits. The foundation maintains comprehensive policies on complaints, conflicts of interest, financial reserves, risk management, and trustee expenses.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Wilson Foundation operates two distinct application streams:

For Individuals:

1. Complete the online application form at thewilsonfoundation.org.uk
2. Alternatively, download the form, print, and post to: The Maltings, Tithe Farm, Moulton Road, Holcot, Northampton, NN6 9SH

For Groups/Organisations:

• Application forms available via the website
• Contact polly@tithefarm.com for enquiries

Required Information (Individuals):

• Full name, date of birth, gender
• Contact details including address
• Parental occupations
• School or employment details
• Grant amount needed and timeline for funds
• Detailed description of the activity requiring funding
• Other funding sources obtained
• Parental financial contributions
• Personal effort toward financing
• Payment recipient organisation details
• At least one reference from someone who has known you for a reasonable period

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be living in Northamptonshire for at least 12 months
• Be under 21 years old
• Show genuine enthusiasm for a worthwhile activity
• Demonstrate effort and determination to achieve their goal
• Have worked long and hard to achieve a worthwhile objective
• Have parental/guardian support if under 18
• Provide at least one reference

Decision Timeline

The foundation states that “all applications will receive individual consideration,” suggesting a case-by-case review process rather than fixed decision rounds. No specific timeline is published.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated criteria and funding patterns:

What the Foundation Values:

• Evidence of genuine enthusiasm and commitment to an activity
• Demonstrated effort and determination - they want to see applicants have worked hard toward their goals
• Matching funds or personal contribution toward costs shows commitment
• Clear alignment with youth development, character-building, or leadership outcomes
• Projects that give opportunities to young people who “have not had many opportunities so far”

Types of Projects Successfully Funded:

• Leadership expeditions and outdoor adventure programmes (e.g., NAYC Hebrides expedition)
• Sports programmes reaching large numbers of young people (e.g., Olympic Legacy Activity Days reaching 1,000 children)
• Educational mentoring through sport (e.g., Northampton Saints Foundation programme)
• Match-funded partnerships with other funders (e.g., NCF Young People's Fund with Proceeds of Crime fund)
• Travel costs enabling participation in activities (e.g., Pacesetter Games)

Strategic Considerations:

• The foundation has long-standing relationships with specific organisations (Prince's Trust, NAYC, NCF, Starlight Children's Charity)
• They engage in multi-year funding partnerships (third consecutive year of NCF match-funding)
• Projects that divert young people from the criminal justice system align with recent priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Strict geographic focus: Only Northamptonshire-based applicants who have lived in the county for 12+ months will be considered - this is non-negotiable.

1. Under-21 age limit: All beneficiaries must be under 21 years old, with a particular focus on underprivileged young people.

1. Character-building emphasis: Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the funded activity builds character, leadership, or personal development - not just provide entertainment.

1. Show commitment: Applications should evidence that the applicant/organisation has already invested effort and secured some funding - they want partners, not passive recipients.

1. No higher education funding: University and college fees/living expenses are explicitly excluded.

1. Long-term relationships matter: The foundation has decades-long relationships with certain organisations - new applicants should consider partnership approaches with existing grantees like Northamptonshire Community Foundation.

1. Match funding appeals: Recent grants demonstrate interest in leveraging funds through match-funding partnerships.

References

• The Wilson Foundation Official Website -
• The Wilson Foundation - About Us -
• The Wilson Foundation 2024 Donations -
• Apply Today - The Wilson Foundation -
• Individual Application Form - The Wilson Foundation -
• Support Stories - The Wilson Foundation -
• Charity Commission - The Wilson Foundation (1189601) -