Wilmslow Wells For Africa

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £92,599 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: £500 - £20,000
• Geographic Focus: African continent (23 countries)
• Registered Charity Number: 328330

Contact Details

Website: www.wilmslowwells.org

Email: nick.longson@gmail.com

Phone: 07826 633506

Address: Wilmslow Wells for Africa operates through volunteer trustees based in the UK

Overview

Wilmslow Wells for Africa was founded in 1984 by Brenda Mottershead after she witnessed firsthand the desperate water problems in an African village. The charity is dedicated to the relief of poverty in Africa by providing water for human consumption and irrigation through drilling wells, building dams, providing storage tanks, and other water infrastructure solutions. Since its inception, the charity has raised over £1.65 million and funded more than 360 separate projects across 23 different African countries, transforming the lives of at least 650,000 people living in remote rural communities. Operating as a direct action charity run entirely by volunteers, Wilmslow Wells for Africa maintains exceptionally low administrative costs, with over 99% of all donations going directly to water projects. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Wilmslow Wells for Africa provides project-based grants to trusted partner organizations working on water infrastructure in Africa. Recent funded projects include:

• Borehole Drilling Projects: £1,500 - £10,000 (typically providing water access to 300+ people per well)
• Large-Scale Water Systems: £10,000 - £20,000 (gravity feed lines, pipeline systems serving thousands)
• Water Harvesting and Storage: £2,000 - £6,000 (tanks, dams, collection systems)
• Pump Repairs and Maintenance: £500 - £2,000
• School Water Supply Projects: £3,000 - £7,000

Funding is provided through trusted partner organizations rather than directly to communities.

Priority Areas

• Clean Water Access: Drilling boreholes, protecting springs, constructing water points
• Water Harvesting and Storage: Tanks, dams, and collection systems (increasingly emphasized in recent projects)
• Sanitation Infrastructure: Latrines and hygiene facilities, particularly for schools
• Irrigation Systems: Supporting agricultural communities
• Pump Installation and Repair: Ensuring sustainable water access
• Community-Focused Projects: Benefiting rural communities with limited water access
• School Water Projects: Prioritizing educational institutions serving large student populations

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside the African continent
• Projects without established local management and maintenance plans
• Initiatives lacking proven water sources at practical depths
• Projects without trusted partner organization involvement
• Programs where beneficiaries are not clearly identified

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The charity operates with four trustees who review and approve all project funding decisions:

• Dr. David Tonks: Chartered civil engineer who leads project evaluation, assessing water feasibility, technical viability, and local capacity
• Additional trustees include an accountant and other professionals (specific names not publicly listed)

Dr. Tonks emphasizes the value proposition: “A £1,500 well commonly brings fresh water to as many as 300 people.”

The founder, Brenda Mottershead, was inspired to establish the charity after witnessing shocking water-related conditions in South Africa, including communities “walking a mile to collect polluted water” and children dying from water-borne diseases.

All trustees serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration. The charity is supported by 25 volunteers who handle fundraising and administrative functions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Wilmslow Wells for Africa does not have a public, open application process. The charity operates through established partnerships with trusted organizations in Britain and Africa.

Projects are referred by partner organizations that the charity has worked with previously or that come through trusted networks. Organizations interested in partnership should note that the charity emphasizes working with "trusted & experienced partner organisations."

Getting on Their Radar

While Wilmslow Wells for Africa does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations working on water infrastructure in Africa may consider:

• Demonstrating Technical Expertise: The charity works with organizations like Christian Engineers in Development (CED) that have proven engineering capabilities in water projects
• Building Track Records: Partner organizations typically have established histories of successful water project implementation
• Local Presence and Capacity: The charity requires evidence of local responsibility, management, and maintenance arrangements before funding projects
• Geographic Focus: Projects have been concentrated in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Ghana, and Burkina Faso
• Collaborative Approach: Several projects show co-funding arrangements with other UK-based charitable organizations, suggesting networking within the UK water charity sector may be valuable

Known partner organizations that have received funding include: Afrinspire, Aid Africa, Busoga Trust, Christian Engineers in Development (CED), Mission4Water, Tanzania Development Trust, Village Water, Transform Burkina, and Ghana Outlook.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. The trustees review project proposals when they are submitted by partner organizations, with funding approved “when they are satisfied that the funds will be properly used for the local people.”

Completion reports with photographs are required after project implementation.

Success Rates

Success rates for project proposals are not publicly disclosed. The charity notes that “Projects are rarely the same and each proposal is judged on its own merit.”

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. The charity maintains ongoing relationships with partner organizations, funding multiple projects with the same partners over time.

Application Success Factors

Based on the charity's stated evaluation criteria and funded projects, organizations seeking partnership should focus on:

1. Technical Feasibility: Dr. David Tonks assesses whether “water can be found at practical depths and in sufficient quantities.” Projects must demonstrate technical viability with clear engineering solutions.

1. Local Management Capacity: The charity requires clear answers to “who will be responsible for the project locally” and “who will be responsible for ongoing management and maintenance.” Sustainable local ownership is essential.

1. Clear Beneficiary Impact: Projects must clearly identify “who will benefit” with specific population numbers and community details. The charity values high-impact projects (e.g., “a £1,500 well commonly brings fresh water to as many as 300 people”).

1. Trusted Partnership: The charity works “through known and trusted contacts in Britain and Africa.” Established relationships and proven track records are crucial.

1. Cost-Effectiveness: With typical borehole projects costing £1,500-£10,000, the charity prioritizes efficient use of funds with maximum community benefit.

1. Completion Accountability: Partner organizations must provide completion reports with photographs, demonstrating transparency and follow-through.

1. Co-Funding Arrangements: Many successful projects show collaborative funding with other organizations, suggesting the charity values shared investment and risk mitigation.

Recent funded projects demonstrate preferences for:

• School water supply projects (serving 300-700 students)
• Water harvesting and storage as alternatives to traditional boreholes
• Projects in established geographic areas (particularly East Africa)
• Community-wide infrastructure benefiting hundreds of people

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Open Application Process: This charity does not accept unsolicited applications; they fund through established partner organizations in their network
• Relationship-Based Funding: Building a long-term partnership relationship is essential; they work repeatedly with trusted organizations
• Technical Excellence Required: Engineering expertise and feasibility assessments are critical, led by their chartered civil engineer trustee
• Local Sustainability Matters: Clear local management and maintenance plans are non-negotiable evaluation criteria
• Cost-Effectiveness is Valued: With 99%+ of funds going to projects, they prioritize efficient, high-impact investments
• Geographic Patterns: East Africa (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya) features prominently in recent project portfolios
• Collaboration is Common: Co-funding with other UK water charities appears to strengthen project viability and approval

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Tanzania Development Trust
• The Kitchen Table Charities Trust
• The Randal Charitable Foundation
• James Percy Foundation
• The Beit Trust
• Halcrow Foundation
• The One Foundation
• World Connect International, UK
• HEB FFIN (WITHOUT FRONTIER)
• Ida Davis Family Foundation

References

• Wilmslow Wells for Africa official website: https://wilmslowwells.org/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=328330&subid=0
• About Us page: https://wilmslowwells.org/about-us/
• How We Evaluate Projects: https://wilmslowwells.org/about-us/how-we-evaluate-projects/
• Projects page: https://wilmslowwells.org/projects/
• Projects List: https://wilmslowwells.org/projects/projects-list/