Utilita Giving

Charity Number: 1201330

Annual Expenditure: £0.9M
Throughout England And Wales, Scotland

Contact Info

Website:https://www.utilitagiving.org/

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Quick Stats

  • Registered Charity: 1201330 (England & Wales), SC052406 (Scotland)
  • Annual Income (2023-24): £5,531,946
  • Grants to Institutions (2023-24): £558,551
  • Decision Time: 14 working days
  • Grant Range: Previously no set minimum/maximum for organizations; £100-£2,000 for individuals
  • Geographic Focus: England, Scotland, and Wales
  • Current Status: Organizational grants paused until December 2026

Contact Details

Website: https://www.utilitagiving.org/

General Enquiries:

  • Email: general@utilitagiving.org
  • Phone: 07770979336

Grants Manager: Shanice Morrison

  • Email: shanicemorrison@utilitagiving.org
  • Phone: 07483 347499

Overview

Utilita Giving was established in 2022 by Utilita Energy and is a registered charity dedicated to preventing and alleviating hardship experienced by people facing fuel and food poverty across England, Scotland, and Wales. The organization's mission is “to invest in dignified and enduring solutions that enable people to overcome those life circumstances that result in fuel and food poverty.”

In its first two years, Utilita Giving awarded £656,178.65 in small grants to 28 charitable organizations working to address fuel and food poverty. The charity saw significant growth in 2023-24, with total income reaching £5.5 million, primarily funded by Utilita Energy. In early 2025, Executive Director Helen Boardman announced a £5 million fund to provide aid and debt relief to households, marking a strategic shift in the charity's approach. The organization has temporarily paused its small grants program for charities until December 2026 to focus resources on a new £2.2 million pilot service called "One Call, That's All," designed to support 6,000 individuals over two years through personalized, needs-led assistance.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants for Organizations (PAUSED UNTIL DECEMBER 2026)

  • Previously offered grants with no set minimum or maximum to registered charities
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis
  • 28 charities funded to date totaling £656,178.65
  • Program temporarily paused for evaluation and realignment with the charity's “theory of change”

"One Call, That's All" Pilot Service (CURRENT FOCUS)

  • £2.2 million investment over two years
  • Direct service delivery model supporting 6,000 individuals
  • Provides personalized, needs-led support through a single point of access
  • Individuals only need to tell their story once to receive coordinated assistance

Helping Hand Fund

  • £100-£2,000 grants for individual Utilita Energy credit customers
  • Helps clear or decrease energy debt
  • Applications processed on a rolling basis

Individual Grants

  • Cash grants up to £100 for individuals/households in fuel or food poverty
  • Grants up to £1,000 for energy invoice settlement, paid directly to suppliers

Priority Areas

Utilita Giving exclusively funds work addressing:

  • Fuel poverty: Supporting households struggling with energy costs and debt
  • Food poverty: Alleviating food insecurity and hunger
  • Long-term support: Projects providing lasting benefits beyond immediate relief
  • Awareness raising: Increasing public understanding of fuel and food poverty
  • Sustainable solutions: Projects that continue beyond the grant timeframe

Eligibility Requirements (for when organizational grants reopen)

Organizations must demonstrate that:

  • 100% of beneficiaries are suffering hardship caused by fuel and/or food poverty
  • The project provides long-term support resulting in lasting benefits
  • The work raises public awareness about fuel and food poverty
  • The project will be sustained beyond the grant timeframe
  • The organization is registered with the Charity Commission (England & Wales) and/or Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the charity's narrow focus on fuel and food poverty means they do not fund:

  • Projects not directly addressing fuel or food poverty
  • Work outside England, Scotland, and Wales
  • Organizations not registered with relevant charity regulators

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Mike Smith, Chair of Trustees

  • Chartered accountant (FCA) with over 40 years' experience
  • Joined Utilita in 2009, became Chief Financial Officer in 2014
  • Currently serves as Utilita's Company Secretary

Mark Curtin

  • Former CEO of The Felix Project
  • 20+ years experience in charities and non-profits

Jem Maidment

  • 20-year background in journalism and corporate communications
  • Joined Utilita's marketing department in 2015

Louise Thomson

  • Insight and Strategy Lead in housing sector
  • 10+ years charity experience

Frazer Scott

  • CEO of Energy Action Scotland
  • Expertise in sustainable development

Patrons

David James MBE

  • Former professional footballer and sports pundit
  • Advocates for support to those in fuel and food poverty

Adam Scorer

  • Chief Executive of National Energy Action since 2017
  • Consumer rights campaigner with extensive experience at major UK consumer bodies including Which?

Executive Team

Helen Boardman, Executive Director (appointed 2025)

  • 25-year career in the Third Sector
  • Former interim head of Voluntary & Community Sector at Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council
  • Previous Project Manager for Wirral Young Carers

Shanice Ebanks, Grants & Contracts Manager

Mark Smith, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Innovation

Deanne Church, Treasurer

Morven Glasgow, Communications & Marketing Officer

Nicole Davidson, Fundraising Officer

Keira Meadus, Events & Promotions Coordinator

Leadership Perspective

Helen Boardman on the affordability crisis: "The affordability crisis being faced by millions of households, who have been plunged below the poverty line, is now so deep-rooted that people cannot see a way out. Utilita Giving's initial £5 million fund will provide aid and debt relief to allow households to become self-sufficient once again."

On her strategic vision: "I'm excited about delivering a strategic vision for the charity to further its aim of supporting people in food and fuel poverty across the nation."

Chair Mike Smith on Helen's appointment: Her appointment “marks an important step” and she will be “instrumental in expanding its influence and support.”

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply (when organizational grants reopen)

  • Application Method: Online application form on the Utilita Giving website
  • Rolling Basis: No fixed deadlines; applications accepted throughout the year
  • Application Form: Available at bottom of grants page (when program is active)
  • Pre-Application Enquiries: Contact Shanice Morrison, Grants Manager

Decision Timeline

  • Review Period: 14 working days from submission
  • Individual Review: Each application is carefully reviewed individually
  • Response Method: Applicants notified via email

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However:

  • 28 charities funded from program inception (2022) through 2024
  • £656,178.65 distributed to organizations over two years
  • Average grant per organization: approximately £23,435

Reapplication Policy

For Individual Grants (Helping Hand Fund):

  • If granted a payment: Cannot reapply for 3 years
  • If unsuccessful: Can reapply anytime following a change in circumstances
  • No appeals process; decisions are final

For Organizational Grants:

  • Reapplication policy not explicitly stated
  • Likely similar to individual grant policy, but confirm when program reopens

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

  1. 100% Fuel/Food Poverty Focus: Every beneficiary must be experiencing hardship from fuel and/or food poverty
  2. Long-Term Impact: Demonstrate lasting benefits beyond immediate relief
  3. Sustainability: Show how the project continues after grant funding ends
  4. Awareness Raising: Include a public awareness component
  5. Dignified Solutions: Align with the charity's emphasis on dignity and respect

Strategic Approach

  • Single Story Philosophy: The charity values reducing burden on beneficiaries (evidenced by "One Call, That's All" approach)
  • Self-Sufficiency: Frame projects around enabling people to become self-sufficient rather than creating dependency
  • Coordinated Support: Consider partnership approaches that provide comprehensive support
  • Evidence of Need: Demonstrate the deep-rooted nature of the crisis you're addressing

Language and Terminology

  • Emphasize “dignity,” “self-sufficiency,” and “lasting solutions”
  • Frame work in terms of “preventing and alleviating hardship”
  • Highlight “coordinated” and “personalized” approaches
  • Use “fuel poverty” and “food poverty” as distinct but related issues

Current Strategic Priorities

Given the pause in organizational grants, when the program reopens in December 2026:

  • Expect increased emphasis on the charity's refined “theory of change”
  • Likely preference for projects aligned with lessons learned from "One Call, That's All" pilot
  • Potential focus on innovative, holistic approaches to fuel and food poverty
  • Possible preference for projects demonstrating coordination and reduced burden on beneficiaries

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Timing is Critical: Organizational grant program is paused until December 2026. Monitor the website closely in late 2026 for reopening announcements and any updated criteria.
  1. Narrow but Deep Focus: This funder has an extremely specific focus on fuel and food poverty. Only apply if 100% of your beneficiaries experience these issues in England, Scotland, or Wales.
  1. Demonstrate Long-Term Impact: Show how your project creates lasting change and continues beyond the grant period. Avoid dependency-creating approaches.
  1. Fast Decision Times: When operational, Utilita Giving commits to 14-working-day decisions, making them one of the faster-responding funders.
  1. Prepare for Evolution: The 2026 program relaunch will likely reflect learnings from the "One Call, That's All" pilot. Expect emphasis on holistic, coordinated approaches that minimize burden on beneficiaries.
  1. Build Relationships Now: Contact Shanice Morrison for updates on the program relaunch timeline and any emerging priorities. Demonstrating awareness of their strategic evolution will strengthen future applications.
  1. Flexible Grant Sizes: Previously, grants had no set minimum or maximum, allowing for applications of varying scales based on project need. Clarify this when the program reopens.

Similar Funders

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References

  1. Utilita Giving official website - https://www.utilitagiving.org/
  1. Charity Commission Register - UTILITA GIVING (1201330) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5209760
  1. “Small grants for organisations” - Utilita Giving - https://www.utilitagiving.org/small-grants-for-organisations
  1. “Who We Are” - Utilita Giving - https://www.utilitagiving.org/who-we-are
  1. “FAQs” - Utilita Giving - https://www.utilitagiving.org/faqs
  1. “Utilita Giving welcomes Helen Boardman as Executive Director - fuel and food poverty fund announced” - Utilita Giving - https://www.utilitagiving.org/giving-updates/introducing-ugs-new-director-who-has-announced-huge-new-fund
  1. Funding for All - Utilita Giving profile - https://fundingforall.org.uk/funds/utilita-giving/
  1. Financial data: Charity Commission financial records for year ending 31 March 2024