Walter Lees Foundation

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 1138935
• Annual Giving: £104,445 (2024)
• Grant Range: £5,000+
• Decision Time: Up to 12 months
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Charity Income Limit: Maximum £100,000 annual income

Contact Details

Address: C/O Winckworth Sherwood LLP, Minerva House, 5 Montague Close, London SE1 9BB

Telephone: 020 7593 5000

Website: www.walterleesfoundation.org.uk

Correspondence Address: C/O Winckworth Sherwood LLP, 255 Blackfriars Road, London (alternative address listed)

Overview

The Walter Lees Foundation was established in 2010 under the will of the late Walter Charles Lees, who died on 30 January 2010. Registered with the Charity Commission on 11 November 2010, the Foundation is a grant-making charity that provides funds for charitable purposes or institutions as determined by its trustees. With an annual expenditure of £104,445 (2024) and income of £58,370, the Foundation operates exclusively throughout England and Wales. The trustees hold the capital and income of the Trust Fund upon trust to apply the income or capital for the benefit of charitable objects at their discretion. The Foundation specifically targets smaller charities, focusing on specific projects that would not be eligible for fully funded assistance elsewhere. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Walter Lees Foundation operates a single grant program with the following characteristics:

• Single Project Grants: £5,000 or more, awarded on an individual basis by the trustees
• Application Method: Online application form only (postal applications not accepted)
• Decision Schedule: Awards typically discussed at the Trustees' Annual General Meeting, taking up to one year

Priority Areas

The Foundation has broad charitable purposes with discretionary grant-making powers. Grants are made to:

• Registered charities with annual income not exceeding £100,000
• Specific projects that would not be eligible for fully funded assistance elsewhere
• Organizations operating throughout England and Wales
• Projects demonstrating matched funding

The Foundation's governing document allows trustees to support “exclusively charitable objects and purposes in any part of the world as the trustees may determine,” though current operations focus on England and Wales.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (only registered charities are eligible)
• Charities with annual income exceeding £100,000
• Projects that can obtain full funding from other sources
• Applications submitted by post (online applications only)
• Organizations not registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Gerald Richard Ornstein - Chair (appointed 11 November 2010)

Steven Paul Frost - Trustee (appointed 1 November 2017)

Hugh MacDougald - Trustee (appointed 11 November 2010)

• Also involved with multiple other charities

Professional Support

The Foundation is administered through Winckworth Sherwood LLP, a full-service commercial law firm headquartered in London with particular strengths in advising charitable bodies, especially in education, ecclesiastical, and housing sectors.

The Foundation maintains robust governance with established policies including:

• Financial reserves policy
• Internal financial controls
• Investing charity funds policy

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the online application form available on the Foundation's website at www.walterleesfoundation.org.uk. The Foundation explicitly states that postal applications will not be considered.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales
• Annual income must not exceed £100,000
• Must demonstrate matched funding
• Must be seeking support for a specific project not eligible for full funding elsewhere
• Grant amount typically £5,000 or more

Decision Timeline

The Foundation has a notably long decision timeline. Applications are typically reviewed at the Trustees' Annual General Meeting, meaning it can take up to one year before awards are agreed by the trustees. Applicants should plan accordingly and not rely on rapid funding decisions.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, with annual expenditure of approximately £104,445 and minimum grants of £5,000, the Foundation likely awards between 10-20 grants per year, suggesting a selective grant-making approach.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation has not published a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Charities considering reapplication should contact the Foundation directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's published criteria and approach:

Key Alignment Factors:

• Charity Size: The Foundation specifically targets smaller charities with annual income under £100,000, positioning itself as a funder for organizations that may struggle to access larger funding streams
• Match Funding: Demonstrating matched funding is normally required, indicating the Foundation wants to see co-investment and sustainability
• Project Specificity: Grants are for specific projects, not general running costs. Applications should clearly define project parameters, outcomes, and why full funding is unavailable elsewhere
• Funding Gap: The Foundation looks for projects “which would not be eligible for fully funded assistance elsewhere,” suggesting they want to fill genuine gaps rather than duplicate other funders' work

Strategic Considerations:

• The Foundation has broad charitable purposes with trustee discretion, meaning they can consider a wide range of charitable activities across sectors
• With only three trustees making decisions at an annual meeting, applications likely receive detailed consideration rather than quick assessments
• The long decision timeline (up to one year) suggests thorough evaluation and possibly comparison across the annual application pool
• The Foundation operates throughout England and Wales, so geographic location within these regions should not be a barrier

Application Quality Indicators:

• Clear demonstration of why the project cannot obtain full funding elsewhere
• Evidence of matched funding commitments
• Specific project description with measurable outcomes
• Budget showing grant request of £5,000 or more with clear cost breakdown
• Evidence that the charity's annual income is below £100,000

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small Charity Focus: This funder specifically targets organizations with annual income under £100,000, making it ideal for smaller charities often excluded from larger funding programs
• Patient Money: With decision times up to 12 months, only apply if your project timeline allows for this extended waiting period
• Match Funding Essential: Budget for and secure matched funding before applying, as this is normally required
• Project-Specific Funding: Avoid general operational costs; focus applications on specific projects with clear outcomes
• Funding Gap Narrative: Clearly articulate why full funding is unavailable elsewhere and how this grant fills a critical gap
• Online Only: Ensure you complete the online application form correctly; postal applications are not accepted
• Broad Discretion: The wide charitable purposes mean many sectors and activities could be eligible, but competition may be significant given the small number of annual grants

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Lockwood Charitable Foundation
• THE RIX-THOMPSON-ROTHENBERG FOUNDATION
• The Taylor-Marsh Foundation
• The Patrick Rowland Foundation
• THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION
• The Dischma Charitable Trust
• Edwin Fox Foundation
• The Freddie Green and Family Charitable Foundation
• THE KENNETH & SUSAN GREEN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The Jenour Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: Walter Lees Foundation - 1138935, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5013887
• Walter Lees Foundation Official Website - Funding Policy, http://www.walterleesfoundation.org.uk/our-funding-policy.html
• Charity Commission - What, Who, How, Where Information for Walter Lees Foundation, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5013887/what-who-how-where
• Charity Commission - Full Print Information for Walter Lees Foundation, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5013887/full-print
• Charity Commission - Trustees' Annual Report, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/constituency-search
• Winckworth Sherwood LLP Website, https://wslaw.co.uk/