Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,000,000+ (raised since 2012)
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: Varies by grant type (Annual: July announcement; Small grants: ongoing)
• Grant Range: Up to £2,500 (Small Grants) - £25,000 (Annual Grant)
• Geographic Focus: UK national
• Total Charities Supported: 100+ organizations since 2012

Contact Details

• Website: www.waspslegends.co.uk
• Email: foundation@waspslegends.co.uk
• Phone: 07540771424
• Membership Enquiries: membership@waspslegends.co.uk
• Address: First Floor, 85 Great Portland Street, London W1W 7LT

Overview

Founded in 2012, the Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation is a UK registered charity (number 1147255) dedicated to changing lives through the spirit of rugby. The foundation has raised over £1,000,000 and supported more than 100 charitable causes across local, national, and international initiatives. Operating through the extensive network of the Wasps rugby family—comprising former players from both professional and amateur eras—the foundation creates and develops fundraising events while providing grant funding to organizations that align with their mission. Their approach emphasizes supporting smaller organizations “that can substantively benefit from our grant funding,” with a particular focus on three main cause categories: Health, Support, and Rugby-related initiatives. The foundation operates on six core values: Teamwork, Community, Wellbeing, Compassion, Integrity, and Inclusivity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Supports a specific project of an organization
• Applications open in July each year
• Recipients announced at the annual Long Lunch fundraiser
• Two-year partnerships available, voted for by Wasps members

• Minimum 30% of fundraising event profits (subject to post-event review)
• Awarded ahead of key fundraising events (Long Lunch, Rugby Golf Classic, Hall of Fame dinner)
• Applications open approximately 3 months prior to each event
• Requires charity partner attendance at the event

• Awarded throughout the year on a rolling basis
• Considered at the discretion of Trustees
• Case-by-case assessment

Priority Areas

The foundation supports organizations working across three main categories:

• Health: Organizations supporting people with medical conditions, disabilities, or sports injuries (e.g., Matt Hampson Foundation for spinal injury rehabilitation, Action for A-T)
• Support: Charities helping vulnerable populations, particularly young people facing Adverse Childhood Experiences (e.g., Star Scheme supporting 500+ young people in 40 grassroots rugby clubs)
• Rugby-Related: Rugby community foundations and initiatives that use rugby as a tool for positive change (e.g., Bath Rugby Foundation, Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation, Wasps FC)

The foundation has funded organizations including: Matt Hampson Foundation, Bath Rugby Foundation, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, Help for Heroes, The Dallaglio Foundation, School of Hard Knocks, Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, Serge Betsen Academy, Lucy Rayner Foundation, The Change Foundation, and Brave Mind.

What They Don't Fund

• Charities with over 50% income reserves
• Administrative costs
• Research projects
• Single faith charities
• Charities raising funds for another charity
• Non-UK organizations (applications only accepted from UK organizations)

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees comprising individuals with strong connections to Wasps rugby and diverse professional backgrounds:

• Mark: Trustee and former Wasps player (debut 1984); Executive Director at St James's Place Wealth Management with responsibility for the largest businesses in the UK
• Abby: Former Wasps player and experienced management consultant with 20+ years across UK, Europe, and Australia; sits on England RFU's Inclusive Leadership Group
• Roger: CEO of Global Specialty for Oneglobal Broking with 35 years in the insurance industry; joined as Trustee in 2024
• Solomon N'Jie: President of Wasps FC and board member/trustee
• Robert Gordon: Member Board of Trustees
• Lilidh: Trustee who also serves on the board of horticultural charity Perennial and sits on several national committees across horticulture and charity sectors

The foundation's vision, as stated by leadership, is “to ensure that we have the greatest impact possible and to enact enduring and transformational change through our charitable collaborations.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: All grant applications must be nominated by a Wasps Legends member. This requirement is verified within the application form.

1. Secure a Member Nomination: Identify a Wasps Legends member to nominate your organization. The member should direct you to complete the application form.

1. Application Forms: Access application forms via the “Apply Here” button on waspslegends.co.uk/grant-giving

• Most recent audited accounts and annual report
• Evidence of how funds will be used
• Acceptance of Guidelines for Funding Applications (mandatory)

1. Eligibility: Must be a UK registered, exempt, or recognized charity

• Annual Grant: Applications open in July each year
• Event Grants: Applications open approximately 3 months before each event
• Small Grants: Ongoing/rolling basis

Getting on Their Radar

Since all applications require nomination by a Wasps Legends member, organizations seeking funding should:

• Join the Wasps Legends Network: Membership is open to everyone for £50 per year, providing access to networking events including “social swarms” and business breakfast club events, which offer opportunities to meet members who can nominate your organization
• Attend Wasps Legends Events: The foundation hosts fundraising events including the Long Lunch, Rugby Golf Classic, and Hall of Fame dinner where potential member connections can be made
• Contact for Membership Enquiries: Reach out to membership@waspslegends.co.uk to explore membership and networking opportunities

Decision Timeline

• Annual Grant: Recipients announced at the annual Long Lunch fundraiser (typically following July application period)
• Event Grants: Recipients announced in the lead-up to each event
• Small Grants: Assessed on a case-by-case basis throughout the year; specific timeline not published

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation notes that grants “are nominated by our members and individually assessed on their merits.”

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

The Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation has articulated specific priorities and preferences that applicants should understand:

1. Size Matters: The foundation explicitly states they prefer “to support smaller organisations that can substantively benefit from our grant funding.” Smaller charities that can demonstrate significant impact from the grant amount are favored.

• Teamwork
• Community
• Wellbeing
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Inclusivity

1. Impact and Transformation: The foundation's vision emphasizes “the greatest impact possible” and “enduring and transformational change.” Applications should clearly articulate measurable impact and long-term change rather than short-term outputs.

1. Specific Project Focus: The Annual Grant specifically supports “a specific project of an organisation” rather than general running costs. Applications should detail a clear, defined project.

1. Financial Health: Organizations with over 50% income reserves are excluded, suggesting the foundation prioritizes organizations that genuinely need the funding.

1. Rugby Connection: While not exclusively funding rugby charities, the foundation's mission to change lives “through the spirit of rugby” suggests applications that connect to rugby values (teamwork, community, resilience) may resonate strongly.

• Engage with Wasps Legends on social media
• Share photos/videos illustrating grant impact
• Provide detailed self-evaluation reports
• Submit written impact reports

Recent funded projects demonstrate the types of initiatives the foundation supports:

• Star Scheme: Supporting 500+ young people facing Adverse Childhood Experiences through 40 grassroots rugby clubs
• Matt Hampson Foundation: Funding a Body Weight Support system for spinal injury rehabilitation
• Wasps FC: £9,000 for players facing financial hardship; £4,000 for mental health partnership with Brave Mind

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Member nomination is mandatory: You cannot apply without a Wasps Legends member nominating your organization. Consider joining as a member (£50/year) to access networking opportunities.
• Smaller organizations preferred: The foundation explicitly favors smaller charities where their grants can create substantive benefit and transformational change.
• Three funding tiers available: Small grants (up to £2,500) on a rolling basis offer more accessible entry points than the competitive £25,000 Annual Grant.
• Values alignment is critical: Frame your application around the six core values (Teamwork, Community, Wellbeing, Compassion, Integrity, Inclusivity) and demonstrate how your project embodies these.
• Be prepared for engagement: Grant recipients are expected to actively engage with the foundation through social media, events, and detailed impact reporting—this is a partnership, not just a transaction.
• Focus on specific projects: The Annual Grant supports specific projects rather than general operations; ensure your application details a clear, defined project with measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrate transformational impact: Emphasize long-term, enduring change over short-term outputs; the foundation seeks to create substantial difference in beneficiaries' lives.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Ashley Family Foundation
• The Patrick Rowland Foundation
• The Greenslade Family Foundation
• THE MIKE GOOLEY TRAILFINDERS CHARITY
• THE GEOFF & FIONA SQUIRE FOUNDATION
• Bernard Sunley Foundation
• C A Redfern Charitable Foundation
• THE BORIS KARLOFF CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• Chapman Charitable Trust
• Barnard Kenneth Hufton Charity

References

• Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation official website: https://waspslegends.co.uk/
• Grant Giving page: https://waspslegends.co.uk/grant-giving
• About Us page: https://waspslegends.co.uk/about
• Our Impact page: https://waspslegends.co.uk/our-impact
• Get Involved/Membership page: https://waspslegends.co.uk/get-involved
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1147255&subid=0
• Contact Information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5023187/contact-information