The World Reimagined Limited

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 1195223
• Annual Income: £155,892 (FY ending 31 March 2024)
• Grant Programs: Inspire Grants (2022) and Legacy Grants (2023) - now closed
• Total Grants Awarded: Over £75,000 through Inspire Programme
• Grant Range: £250 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-based, primarily cities that hosted globe exhibitions (Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool City Region, London, Oxford, Swansea)

Contact Details

• Website: www.theworldreimagined.org
• Email: hello@theworldreimagined.org
• Phone: 07557960260
• Grant inquiries: inspire@theworldreimagined.org (for Inspire Grants)

Overview

The World Reimagined Limited was registered as a charity in 2021 (charity number 1195223, company limited by guarantee 12501914) and is a pioneering charity dedicated to advancing racial justice and amplifying marginalised voices through art, education and activism. Founded by CEO Dr. Michelle Gayle, the organization created a groundbreaking national art education project featuring 103 unique globes across the UK exploring the history, legacy and future of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans. With an annual income of £155,892 (2024), the organization has distributed over £75,000 in grants to community organizations working on racial justice, primarily through the Inspire Programme supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. The organization's strategic approach combines public art installations with education and community engagement to transform understanding of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its ongoing impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs (Historic - Currently Closed)

Inspire Grants (2022)

• Partnership Grants: £3,000 - Supported partnerships between smaller grassroots and larger organizations, or between organizations doing racial justice work with those new to it
• Micro-grants: £250-£500 - Made existing or planned activities easier and more possible
• Application deadline was 31 May 2022; events took place 13 August - 31 October 2022
• Supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

Legacy Community Grants (2023)

• Grant Amount: £5,000 per city
• One grant awarded per host city (Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool City Region, London, Oxford, Swansea)
• Unrestricted funding for existing work
• Applications closed 15 September 2023 at 17:00
• Eligibility: Organizations with turnover less than £75,000

Priority Areas

Organizations funded must:

• Share The World Reimagined's mission to make racial justice a reality
• Align with the “Spirit of The World Reimagined” values
• Work on racial equality and justice issues
• Be community-based organizations, particularly grassroots groups
• Be located in or serve communities in host cities (for Legacy Grants)

What They Fund

• Community events and activities promoting racial justice
• Educational initiatives about the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its legacy
• Partnerships that amplify racial justice work
• Grassroots organizations doing racial equality work
• Unrestricted funding for existing racial justice work (Legacy Grants)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (7 trustees)

• Dean Ricketts (Chair) - Founder of The Watch-Men Agency, a strategic marketing and creative agency established in 1989
• Gillian Joseph - Sky News broadcaster with 30+ years broadcast experience
• Keme Nzerem - Trustee
• John Dower - Trustee
• Jovan Owusu-Nepaul - Trustee
• Abiola Ogboye - Trustee
• Maxine Albert - Trustee

Leadership

• Dr. Michelle Gayle - CEO & Co-Founder. Actor, singer, and writer who played Hattie Tavernier in EastEnders and currently plays Hermione Granger in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”

Patrons

• Lord Michael Hastings CBE - Chancellor of Regent's University London, previously led Global Citizenship for KPMG International, independent peer in House of Lords since 2005
• Rt. Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin - First black female Bishop in the UK, former Chaplain to HM The Queen and to the Speaker of the House of Commons

Key Staff

• Sabrina Reid - Senior Learning Manager
• Sarai Hines - International Schools Officer
• Asher Jael - Community Engagement & Social Media Manager
• Trevor Gayle - Financial Controller
• Vania Todorva - Administration & Logistics

Leadership Quote:

Michelle Gayle, CEO: "If we're going to make racial justice a reality for all, it calls on us to courageously face our shared history with honesty, empathy and grace. If we do that, we can create a future in which everyone can say I'm seen. That's the mission of The World Reimagined."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status (2024): Both the Inspire Grants and Legacy Grants programmes are now closed. The organization ran these as time-limited initiatives connected to their globe exhibition project (2022-2023).

Previous Application Process (for reference):

• Simple online application forms were available on their website
• Application packs with detailed questions provided
• Applicants needed to demonstrate alignment with The World Reimagined's mission and values
• Applications required details on planned activities, goals, participant engagement, inclusivity, and budget

For Future Opportunities: The organization may consider future grant rounds. Organizations interested in their work should:

• Contact hello@theworldreimagined.org to discuss promoting events through their network
• Sign up for updates via their website
• Follow their news section for announcements

Getting on Their Radar

While there is no current public application process, organizations working on racial justice can:

Stay Connected:

• Contact hello@theworldreimagined.org if hosting events that contribute to making racial justice a reality - they can help promote events through their network
• Join their community network through website signup

Access Resources:

• Utilize their free Inspire Tool Kits for grant and bid writing assistance (available on website)
• Participate in their Learning Programme if working with schools, colleges, or community groups with young people

Align with Their Values:

• Sign up to “The Spirit of The World Reimagined” values
• Demonstrate commitment to advancing racial justice and amplifying marginalised voices
• Show work that transforms understanding of historical racial injustice and its present-day impact

Decision Timeline (Historic Programs)

Inspire Grants (2022):

• Application deadline: 31 May 2022 at 23:59
• Notification of results: 24 June 2022
• Decision time: Approximately 3-4 weeks

Legacy Grants (2023):

• Application deadline: 15 September 2023 at 17:00
• Typical decision time not specified but decisions made within weeks of deadline

Success Rates

Specific success rates were not published. However, the organization noted: “Not all applicants will receive grants,” indicating competitive selection processes. Over £75,000 was distributed through the Inspire Programme to “incredible people and organisations.”

Reapplication Policy

For unsuccessful applicants during their active grant rounds, The World Reimagined offered:

• Continued participation in workshops and community sessions (Inspire Sessions held every second Tuesday)
• Event promotion on The World Reimagined platforms
• Guidance on alternative funding sources

Application Success Factors

Based on their documented priorities and program design:

Mission Alignment:

• Michelle Gayle emphasized: "The response we've had so far from artists, icons, organisations and cities shows the desire for a multidimensional telling of our shared history – honouring the many people and organisations who have worked in pursuit of racial justice and extending an invitation to all to join the conversation."
• Successful applicants clearly demonstrated commitment to racial justice work and understanding of the Transatlantic Slave Trade's ongoing impact

Partnership Approach:

• Partnership grants specifically designed to “support the growth of the smaller organisation” by connecting grassroots groups with larger organizations
• Value placed on bridging organizations already doing racial justice work with those new to it

Community Focus:

• Priority given to smaller organizations (Legacy Grants limited to organizations with turnover under £75,000)
• Emphasis on grassroots, community-based work rather than institutional approaches

Accessible Applications:

• Applications described as “simple” processes
• Support available via Inspire Tool Kits for grant writing assistance
• Direct email contact encouraged for questions

Clear Purpose:

• Legacy Grants provided unrestricted funding, showing trust in organizations' existing work rather than requiring new project development
• Micro-grants designed to make “existing or already planned activity a little easier and more possible”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Program Status: Both Inspire and Legacy grant programs are currently closed (ran 2022-2023); monitor their website and contact them for information about future funding opportunities
• Niche Focus: Highly specialized focus on racial justice, particularly education about the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its ongoing impact on contemporary society
• Trust-Based Approach: Legacy Grants offered unrestricted funding, demonstrating confidence in organizations' judgment about how to use funds most effectively
• Grassroots Priority: Strong preference for smaller community organizations (turnover under £75,000) doing frontline racial justice work
• Geographic Limitations: Legacy Grants restricted to specific UK cities that hosted their globe exhibitions; no indication of Scotland, Wales (beyond Swansea), or Northern Ireland coverage
• Support Beyond Grants: Even unsuccessful applicants could access resources including workshops, promotional support, and guidance on alternative funding sources
• Partnership Opportunities: Valued collaborative approaches that paired smaller grassroots organizations with larger partners to amplify impact and support organizational growth
• Low Barriers: Application processes intentionally designed to be “simple” with support tools available, reflecting commitment to accessibility for community groups

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Church Commissioners for England
• THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL
• Trust for London
• THE CHURCH FUND
• FOCAL POINT
• HELP FUND
• Salesforce
• Bank of England

References

• The World Reimagined official website: www.theworldreimagined.org (accessed 9 December 2024)
• Inspire Grants page: https://www.theworldreimagined.org/inspiregrants/ (accessed 9 December 2024)
• Legacy Grants page: https://www.theworldreimagined.org/legacygrants/ (accessed 9 December 2024)
• Who We Are page: https://www.theworldreimagined.org/who-we-are/ (accessed 9 December 2024)
• UK Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5175772 (accessed 9 December 2024)
• The Voice newspaper: “The World Reimagined comes to London” - https://www.theworldreimagined.org/the-voice-introduces-the-world-reimagined/ (accessed 9 December 2024)
• Michelle Gayle quotes from official website and media interviews, including Grazia Daily article on racism in entertainment (accessed 9 December 2024)