We Are All Making A Difference Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 1086708
• Annual Income: £109,525 (Year ending March 2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £133,596 (Year ending March 2024)
• Total Raised: Over £12 million over 40+ years
• Geographic Focus: West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Application Method: Direct contact to Appeals Committee

Contact Details

Address: 13 Portland Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B16 9HN

Phone: 0121 454 7241

Email: weareallmakingadifference@outlook.com

Website: www.weareallmakingadifference.co.uk

Overview

We Are All Making A Difference Charitable Trust was registered on 22 May 2001, originally established as The Gentlemen's Night Out Charitable Trust. Over the past four decades, the charity has raised and distributed more than £12 million to individuals and organizations throughout the West Midlands region.

The trust operates on a unique principle: ALL money raised goes directly to beneficiaries without any deduction for administrative or other overheads, making it a true zero-overhead charity. This commitment has been maintained throughout its history, with trustees and volunteers donating their time freely.

The charity's Chairman, Arnold “Arnie” Kaplan, was awarded an MBE in the 2016 New Year Honours List in recognition of his charitable works over 40 years of service. In 2018, the charity received funds from The Solihull Visiting Service (Charity No. 502940), further expanding its capacity to support West Midlands communities.

The trust maintains a hands-on approach to grant-making, with an Appeals Committee that carefully investigates each proposal and, where appropriate, visits intended beneficiaries to ensure allocations are made with sensitivity and directed to those with the greatest need.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity does not operate formal grant programs with set amounts or deadlines. Instead, they consider applications on an ongoing basis through their Appeals Committee. Recent financial years show annual expenditure between £99,000-£134,000, suggesting individual grants likely vary significantly based on need and project requirements.

Key Initiatives:

• Christmas for The Elderly: Annual donations to over 25 care homes and day centres throughout the West Midlands each December
• Individual hardship grants: Support for individuals facing specific challenges
• Organizational support: Funding for small charities and community groups unable to raise funds independently

Priority Areas

The charity's governing document specifies funding “for such charitable purpose or such charitable institution or institutions, primarily based in the West Midlands, at such times and in such manner as the Trustees may in their absolute discretion think fit.”

Funded causes include:

• Elderly care and support (dementia care, care homes, day centres)
• Individuals and families in need
• Community groups serving disadvantaged populations
• Organizations supporting disabled people
• Children's causes and hospices
• Projects for those unable to fundraise themselves

Key principles:

• Distribution regardless of race, colour, creed or age
• Preference for organizations with minimal or no administrative overheads
• Support for those unable to raise funds themselves
• Direct, meaningful impact on beneficiaries

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on their mission and structure, the charity likely does not fund:

• Organizations outside the West Midlands region
• Large national charities with significant fundraising capacity
• Capital appeals for major building projects beyond local community need
• Activities that duplicate existing well-funded services
• Organizations with high administrative overhead ratios

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by six trustees who receive no remuneration for their service. The trust also benefits from six volunteers who support its fundraising and grant-making activities.

Trustees:

• Arnold Mark Kaplan - Chairman (awarded MBE in 2016 for charitable services)
• Kathleen Margaret Kaplan - Trustee
• Richard Gold F.C.A. - Trustee (also serves as Trustee of The Shirley Park Youth Trust)
• Paul Ian Murray - Trustee (appointed 16 October 2012)
• James Richard Scott Breaerley - Trustee (appointed 11 December 2019)
• Michael Robert Berwick - Trustee (appointed 11 December 2019)

The Appeals Committee comprises trustees and volunteers who review funding applications and conduct site visits.

Chairman's Vision: Arnie Kaplan has maintained the charity's founding principle for over 40 years: “May we always be in a position to give and never to receive.” His MBE recognition in 2016 acknowledged not just his work with this charity but his broader charitable contributions, which he accepted “on behalf of the Committee and the many sponsors who have supported the charity over the last 40 years.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

We Are All Making A Difference does not operate a formal open application process with standard forms or deadlines. Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Appeals Committee.

Recommended approach:

1. Initial Contact: Contact the charity by email (weareallmakingadifference@outlook.com) or phone (0121 454 7241)
2. Submit a Proposal: Provide details of your organization or individual need, the amount requested, and how funds will be used
3. Appeals Committee Review: The committee will review your proposal carefully
4. Site Visit: For appropriate applications, a member of the Appeals Committee may visit to better understand the need
5. Decision: The trustees exercise absolute discretion in their grant-making decisions

The charity emphasizes that "each application for funding is carefully considered with the proposal and when appropriate, the intended beneficiary being visited by a member of the Appeals' Committee to ensure that an allocation is made with the appropriate sensitivity."

Decision Timeline

No specific timelines are published. Given the personalized nature of their review process, including potential site visits, applicants should allow adequate time for thorough consideration. The charity reviews proposals throughout the year rather than operating on fixed funding rounds.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, with annual expenditure of approximately £100,000-£134,000 and a targeted, relationship-based approach to grant-making, the charity appears selective in its awards, focusing on cases where funds will have direct, meaningful impact.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is stated. Given the discretionary nature of their grant-making and the personal relationships the Appeals Committee builds with beneficiaries, organizations providing excellent stewardship of initial grants may be well-positioned for future support.

Application Success Factors

Based on the charity's stated principles and approach:

1. Demonstrate Genuine Need: The charity prioritizes those who “really need it most” - clearly articulate why your cause requires support and how it addresses unmet need in the West Midlands

1. Show You Cannot Self-Fundraise: The charity specifically supports “organisations who do not have the ability to raise funds themselves” - explain any barriers to traditional fundraising

1. Minimize Overheads: Organizations with minimal or no administrative overheads align with the charity's zero-overhead philosophy - demonstrate efficient use of funds going directly to beneficiaries

1. West Midlands Focus: Ensure your work clearly benefits people in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, or Wolverhampton

1. Be Open to Site Visits: The Appeals Committee values seeing projects firsthand - welcome their involvement and be prepared to host a visit if requested

1. Demonstrate Direct Impact: Show exactly how funds will make a tangible difference to beneficiaries' lives - the charity values practical, immediate help

1. Align with Values of Inclusion: The charity distributes funds “regardless of race, colour, creed or age” - demonstrate inclusive, non-discriminatory services

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-based funder - personal contact and dialogue with the Appeals Committee is essential, not a formal application form
• Zero-overhead model means high expectations - be prepared to show that funds go directly to beneficiaries with minimal administrative costs
• West Midlands geography is non-negotiable - don't apply if your work is outside the specified local authority areas
• Small-scale, grassroots focus - this charity supports causes that larger funders might overlook, particularly those unable to fundraise independently
• Site visits are likely - view this as an opportunity to build a relationship and demonstrate impact, not a burden
• Chairman's 40-year commitment - the charity has deep roots in the West Midlands community and values long-term relationships
• No formal deadlines means apply when ready - but also means competition may be ongoing year-round
• Fundraising supports grant-making - the charity runs London Marathon teams (25+ years) and an annual Golf Day; consider how you might support their fundraising efforts as part of building a relationship

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE MICHAEL MARSH CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Geoffrey Watling Charity
• The Grimmitt Trust
• Barnard Kenneth Hufton Charity
• DUMBRECK CHARITY
• The Edgar E Lawley Foundation
• THE ALAN EDWARD HIGGS CHARITY
• THE LORD AUSTIN TRUST
• THE ROGER & DOUGLAS TURNER CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Noel Sweeney Foundation

References

1. Charity Commission Register - We Are All Making A Difference Charitable Trust (Charity No. 1086708): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3978066
2. We Are All Making A Difference Charitable Trust official website: https://weareallmakingadifference.co.uk/
3. Charity Choice - The Gentlemen's Night Out Charitable Trust profile: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-gentlemens-night-out-charitable-trust-74401
4. The Business Desk (West Midlands) - "Midlands business figures feature in New Year's Honours" (2016 MBE announcement): https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/729705-midlands-business-figures-feature-in-new-year-s-honours
5. Charity Commission accounts and annual returns for years ending March 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021
6. JustGiving fundraising pages for We Are All Making A Difference Charitable Trust: https://www.justgiving.com/weareallmakingadifference