Wates Family Enterprise Trust

Wates Family Enterprise Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1126007).

Wates Family Enterprise Trust was set up to support initiatives that make a real difference to society. It funds specific strategic issues addressing social, environmental and human inequality, and it also supports communities where Wates employees work and live. Three strategic areas guide the majority of its funding: Homes as a Foundation for Life, Life Opportunities for Young People and Sustainability (Nature based Neighbourhoods). In the latest year it awarded £1,466,708 in grants.

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses its funding on secure homes, inclusive education and nature-based neighbourhoods. In housing, it backs organisations advocating for change and those delivering safe, stable homes, aiming to prevent homelessness and protect people already affected. Its education work brings people and services together around children and young people to create opportunities to thrive. In nature, it works with local people and partners, particularly in deprived urban areas, to remove barriers to everyday nature and support community-led initiatives. The Trust takes a long-term, collaborative approach, bringing organisations together, building shared learning and helping effective work grow. Its grants support charitable activities, usually through charities, community interest companies, social enterprises and other organisations and bodies.

Themes

• Secure homes
• Inclusive education
• Nature-based neighbourhoods

Geographic Focus

Priority: Nationwide.

Each nominated organisation must pass the Secretariat’s due diligence process before being invited to apply for a grant.

Applying again: An organisation may re-apply if it is in a position to use the funds and its sponsor is still happy to act as sponsor.

What the charity says:

• The Secretariat checks that an organisation undertakes eligible charitable activities and can receive a grant.
• The Secretariat checks an organisation’s financial health and whether a grant will be properly managed.
• The Secretariat checks that appropriate governance arrangements are in place and used.
• The Secretariat checks that appropriate policies and processes are in place.
• The Secretariat confirms that a grant will support charitable aims and have clear wider public benefit.
• For some applications, the Secretariat checks connected entities and contract negotiations that could make a grant an inducement or a bribe.