The Wixamtree Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,000,000
• Total Giving Since Establishment: £15,000,000
• Decision Time: Within 2 weeks after quarterly meetings
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000 (with exceptions)
• Geographic Focus: Bedfordshire (primary), select national charities
• Meetings: Quarterly (February, April, July, October)

Contact Details

Website: www.wixamtree.org

Email: wixamtree@thetrustpartnership.com

Phone: 020 8777 4140

Clerk to the Trustees: Mia Duddridge

Address: The Wixamtree Trust, 6 Trull Farm Buildings, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8SQ

Overview

The Wixamtree Trust (Charity No. 210089) is a well-established grant-making trust that has distributed £15 million since its founding. In the year ending April 2023, the Trust awarded almost £1 million in grants. The Trust focuses primarily on supporting charitable organizations based in or operating within Bedfordshire, benefiting the county's communities and residents. Additionally, the Trustees support a small number of national charities with a focus on family social welfare issues, particularly those with which the Trust's main benefactor was associated during his lifetime. The Trust operates with a clear focus on sustainable, single grants that support organizational capacity without creating long-term dependency, limiting awards to no more than 10% of an organization's annual running costs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £1,000 - £10,000 (typical range, with some exceptions)

• Online application required at least 21 days before quarterly trustee meetings
• Applications considered at quarterly meetings in February, April, July, and October

Small Grants Programme: Up to £4,000

• Considered between meetings by a Trustee sub-committee
• Faster decision-making process for smaller requests

Priority Areas

The Trust supports a broad range of charitable causes within Bedfordshire, including:

• Health and Medical: Cancer support, disability services, hospice care, disease-specific organizations
• Children and Youth Services: Youth programs, educational initiatives, anti-bullying programs, activities for disadvantaged children
• Social Welfare: Homelessness support, bereavement services, family support, community development
• Arts and Culture: Community arts, theater, local media initiatives
• Education and Training: Enterprise programs, skills development
• Environment and Conservation: Environmental projects, conservation initiatives
• Sports and Recreation: Community sports facilities, coaching programs
• Church Buildings: Fabric repairs (handled through Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust)

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Organizations not based or operating in Bedfordshire (except select national charities)
• Grants exceeding 10% of an organization's annual running costs
• Multiple grants to the same organization within a 12-month period
• Overseas aid

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Governance and Leadership

Clerk to the Trustees: Mia Duddridge is responsible for the Trust's administration and serves as the primary contact for applicants.

Trustee Remuneration: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all funds are directed toward charitable purposes.

The Trustees meet quarterly to consider applications and make grant decisions collectively, demonstrating a thoughtful, committee-based approach to funding decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Online Application Only: Applications must be submitted via the online form at https://trustpartnership.formstack.com/forms/applicationform
• Deadline: Applications must be received at least 21 days before the next trustee meeting
• Alternative Formats: Contact the Trust if you require the application form in an alternative format

Required Documentation

• Latest audited Report and Accounts
• If not a registered charity, a copy of the organization's constitution
• A blank paying-in slip or redacted bank statement for payment verification

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Four times per year (typically February, April, July, October)
• Notification: Both successful and unsuccessful applicants receive notification within 14 days of the trustee meeting
• Small Grants: Considered between meetings for faster decisions on awards up to £4,000

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed by the Trust.

Reapplication Policy

• Successful Applicants: Organizations cannot receive more than one grant in any 12-month period, but are welcome to apply on the anniversary of previous awards
• Pledges: If trustees pledge an amount subject to conditions (e.g., raising additional funds, resolving planning issues), the offer remains open for 12 months before requiring reapplication
• Unsuccessful Applicants: While not explicitly stated, unsuccessful applicants can reapply, as there is no restriction preventing this

Application Success Factors

The Trust provides clear guidance for maximizing application success:

1. Ensure Bedfordshire Connection: The strongest applications come from organizations based in or directly serving Bedfordshire communities. National charities should demonstrate clear relevance to the county or connection to the Trust's history.

1. Right-Size Your Request: Keep grant requests between £1,000-£10,000 and ensure the amount requested represents no more than 10% of your annual running costs. This demonstrates financial sustainability and prevents over-reliance on a single funder.

1. Complete Documentation: Submit all required documents including audited accounts, constitution (if not a registered charity), and bank verification. Incomplete applications may delay consideration.

1. Strategic Timing: Submit applications at least 21 days before quarterly meetings (February, April, July, October). Consider the Small Grants Programme for requests under £4,000 if you need faster decisions.

1. Single Grant Approach: The Trust prefers to award single grants rather than multi-year commitments. Present a clear, one-time project or purchase rather than requesting ongoing support.

1. Demonstrate Community Impact: Recent successful projects include youth anti-bullying programs, support for disadvantaged children, bereavement services, homeless support, and community facilities. Show clear, measurable community benefit.

Recent Funded Projects Examples:

• Police Community Clubs: "Barney & Echo" Anti-Bullying programme for 320 children aged 9-11 across primary schools
• Kids Out UK: Fun days for disadvantaged children in Bedfordshire
• Amicus Trust: Support for homeless communities in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, and Luton
• Whizz Kidz: Clinical team and service support in Bedfordshire
• Young Enterprise: 10 Company Programmes in Bedfordshire
• Home Counties Community Media CIC: Launch Bedford Radio

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic Focus Is Critical: Bedfordshire connection is essential—the Trust is very focused on this county and will rarely fund outside it except for select national charities with historical connections
• Keep It Simple and Single: Request a one-time grant for a specific project, equipment, or service rather than multi-year or ongoing operational support
• Stay Within the 10% Rule: Ensure your request is no more than 10% of annual running costs to demonstrate financial sustainability and avoid dependency
• Time Your Application Wisely: Plan submissions to meet the 21-day deadline before quarterly meetings; consider the Small Grants route for smaller, time-sensitive needs
• Documentation Matters: Complete applications with all required financial and organizational documents will be processed smoothly; missing documents cause delays
• Build Broad Community Impact: Successful applications demonstrate clear benefit to Bedfordshire communities, particularly vulnerable populations including children, disabled people, homeless individuals, and families in need
• One Shot Per Year: Since you can only receive one grant per 12-month period, make your application count with a well-thought-out, clearly justified request

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• PILKINGTON CHARITIES FUND
• Bernard Lewis Family Charitable Trust
• THE EVESON TRUST
• THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION
• The Britford Bridge Trust
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• THE 1989 WILLAN CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE PAUL BASSHAM CHARITABLE TRUST
• DORIS FIELD CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE WILLIAM ALLEN YOUNG CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Patricia Routledge Foundation
• The Medicash Foundation
• G J W TURNER TRUST
• THE FULMER CHARITABLE TRUST
• GALE FAMILY CHARITY TRUST
• THE BOSHIER-HINTON FOUNDATION
• THE FIFTY FUND
• THE SIR JAMES ROLL CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• The Wixamtree Trust official website: https://wixamtree.org/
• About Us page: https://wixamtree.org/about-us/
• Grants page: https://wixamtree.org/grants/
• Application Process and Forms: https://wixamtree.org/application/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/210089
• Find that Charity database: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-210089
• National Churches Trust information: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/wixamtree-trust
• Grants awarded 2019-2020: https://wixamtree.org/grants-6-april-2013-to-5-april-2014/
• Grants awarded 2022-2023: https://wixamtree.org/grants-6-april-2014-to-5-april-2015/