Woodroffe Benton Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £725,244 (charitable activities expenditure, 2024)
• Success Rate: 13% (410 applications, 55 grants awarded in 2021)
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks from application deadline
• Grant Range: £500 - £2,500 (Small Grants Programme)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)

Contact Details

Website: www.woodroffebenton.org.uk

Email: secretary@woodroffebenton.org.uk

Phone: 7856222107

Address: PO Box 309, Cirencester GL7 9HA

Registered Charity Number: 1075272

Overview

The Woodroffe Benton Foundation was established in November 1988 by the late Alfred Woodroffe Benton and later amalgamated with the S Wolfe Memorial Fund in 1999. It is now an independent grant-making foundation supporting UK registered charities. With total income of approximately £2 million in 2024 (including significant investment income), the foundation distributed £725,244 in charitable activities. The foundation operates with 7 trustees and holds quarterly meetings to review applications. It focuses on supporting smaller charities where modest grants can make a meaningful difference, with a preference for organizations with annual incomes under £750,000. The foundation runs a competitive Small Grants Programme with two funding rounds annually, maintaining a clear focus on relief of hardship, care for elderly, education (particularly in Derbyshire), and environmental conservation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme: £500 - £2,500

• Applications accepted twice yearly (March and August)
• March applications decided in May trustee meeting
• August applications decided in October trustee meeting
• Each funding round has a specific thematic focus that changes
• Typically only one grant per charity per 12-month period
• Foundation prefers to support core operating costs

Larger Grant Programme: Not available for unsolicited applications

• Grants made proactively by trustees for multi-year projects
• Larger amounts distributed through this discretionary programme

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds officially recognised charitable organisations within the UK for:

• Relief of persons in need, hardship or distress by reason of disaster or as a consequence of social or economic circumstance
• Provision/maintenance of care and accommodation for the sick and elderly
• Promotion of education - particularly within the Derbyshire region
• Environmental conservation, preservation, protection and improvement
• Human physical well-being

The foundation has shown particular interest in:

• Organizations supporting people with severe physical and/or learning disabilities
• Youth services (ages 8-25)
• Community development and social support initiatives
• Intergenerational programmes
• Arts and performing arts for vulnerable populations
• Mental health support
• Projects serving socially isolated elderly populations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

• Organizations operating less than 12 months (must have at least one full set of accounts)
• Charities with annual income exceeding £750,000 (for Small Grants Programme)
• Organizations operating outside the UK
• Places of worship or religious building restoration
• Museums and heritage organizations
• Palliative care organizations
• Individual students seeking tertiary education or gap year funding
• Animal welfare organizations (except those focused on environmental conservation)
• Local branches of national organizations
• Organizations not registered with Charity Commission for England and Wales, Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, or Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (except educational institutions)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• Mr E. J. White (Chairman)
• Mr W. White (Deputy Chairman)
• Miss J. Hope
• 4 additional trustees

Key Administrative Roles:

• Mrs H. Bailey (Treasurer)
• Mrs J. Noles (Secretary to the Trustees)

The foundation operates with 7 trustees who meet quarterly in the second or third week of January, April, July, and October to review applications and make grant decisions. The foundation is governed by a Scheme sealed by the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales on 6th April 1999.

The trustees have stated: “The Trustees prefer to support smaller charities” and “The Trustees have limited funds available and much regret that they are unable to help every eligible organisation that applies for a grant.”

How to Apply to Woodroffe Benton Foundation

How to Apply

Application Method: Online application form only (available during open funding rounds)

• No hard copy or email submissions accepted
• Applications accepted twice yearly during open windows:
• March round: Applications open 1st-31st March
• August round: Applications open 1st-31st August
• Application window closes after 150 applications received or at month end (whichever comes first)
• Must complete all sections of online form including accurate financial information
• Incomplete financial information likely to result in rejection

Pre-Application Requirements:

• Review “Information for Applicants” page on website
• Ensure organization meets eligibility criteria
• Check that project aligns with current funding round theme
• Verify organization has not received a grant within previous 12 months

Important Note: Applications may only be made to the Small Grants Programme. Larger grants are made proactively by trustees and are not available for unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

• Application deadline: Approximately 6 weeks before trustee meeting
• Trustee meetings: Second or third week of January, May, July, and October
• March applications: Decided at May meeting
• August applications: Decided at October meeting
• Notification: Successful applicants contacted within two weeks of trustee meeting
• Total timeline: 6-8 weeks from application submission to notification

Important: Only successful applicants are contacted. As a small organization with limited administrative resources, the foundation does not routinely contact unsuccessful applicants.

Success Rates

The foundation is highly competitive:

• 2021: 410 applications considered, 55 grants made (13.4% success rate)
• 2021 Small Grants total: £52,500 distributed
• 2021 Total grants: 27 grants paid to 21 charities totaling £289,225
• 2020: 559 applications considered (32 grants made totaling £186,316)

The foundation explicitly notes that “The Trustees have limited funds available and much regret that they are unable to help every eligible organisation that applies for a grant.”

Reapplication Policy

• Cannot apply multiple times within a 12-month period
• Must wait 12 months after an unsuccessful application before reapplying
• Typically only one grant per charity per 12-month period for successful applicants

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented guidance and grant-making patterns:

Financial Presentation:

• Complete all financial information accurately and thoroughly
• Incomplete financial information is likely to result in rejection
• The foundation specifically states this as a common reason for rejection

Organization Size and Impact:

• Smaller charities preferred (annual income under £750,000)
• Foundation seeks organizations where modest grants (£500-£2,500) can make meaningful impact
• Trustees explicitly state: “The Trustees prefer to support smaller charities”

Alignment with Thematic Focus:

• Each funding round has a specific theme (e.g., August 2025 focused on projects improving quality of life for people with severe physical and/or learning disabilities)
• Applications must clearly demonstrate alignment with the current round's focus
• Review the foundation website before each application round for thematic priorities

Core Operating Costs Preferred:

• Foundation prefers to support core operating costs rather than project-specific funding
• This distinguishes them from many funders who prefer project funding

Demonstrated Track Record:

• Must have at least one full set of accounts (minimum 12 months operating)
• Organizations must be officially registered charities (or educational institutions)

Examples of Successfully Funded Projects:

• Ifield Park Care Home: Care for sick and elderly in residential setting
• Razed Roof: Inclusive performing arts group for people with learning difficulties and disabilities (up to 40 participants, weekly sessions)
• Skyway: Practical and emotional support for vulnerable young people aged 8-25
• These examples show preference for hands-on service delivery to vulnerable populations

Geographic Considerations:

• Educational projects in Derbyshire receive particular consideration
• All UK regions eligible (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing is critical: Application windows close quickly (150 applications or end of month). Apply early in the March or August windows.
• Complete financial data is non-negotiable: Incomplete financial information will result in rejection. This is one of the most important factors.
• Smaller is better: With 750K annual income threshold and explicit trustee preference for smaller organizations, modest-sized charities have a competitive advantage.
• Match the theme: Each funding round has a specific focus. Don't apply if your project doesn't align with the current theme—wait for a more suitable round.
• 13% success rate means strong competition: With only 1 in 7-8 applications funded, applications must be exceptionally well-aligned and clearly demonstrate impact.
• No feedback for unsuccessful applicants: The foundation doesn't contact unsuccessful applicants or provide feedback, so ensure your first application is as strong as possible.
• Core costs are welcomed: Unlike many funders, this foundation prefers supporting core operating costs—highlight how the grant will support essential operations.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Awards For All
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Bbc Children In Need
• Milton Keynes Community Foundation Limited
• The February Foundation
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• Cornwall Community Foundation
• The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
• Two Ridings Community Foundation
• The Booth Charities
• The Will Charitable Trust
• Hedley Foundation Limited
• The Bridge Trust
• The Balcombe Charitable Trust
• The Dyers' Company Charitable Trust
• The Shears Foundation
• The John Horseman Trust
• The Childwick Trust
• Environment Agency
• Croydon Bme Forum

References

1. Woodroffe Benton Foundation official website: www.woodroffebenton.org.uk
2. Woodroffe Benton Foundation - Funding Policy: https://www.woodroffebenton.org.uk/funding-policy
3. Woodroffe Benton Foundation - Information for Applicants: https://www.woodroffebenton.org.uk/information-for-applicants
4. Woodroffe Benton Foundation - About Us: https://www.woodroffebenton.org.uk/about-us
5. Woodroffe Benton Foundation - Principle Beneficiaries: https://www.woodroffebenton.org.uk/beneficiaries
6. Charity Commission Register - Woodroffe Benton Foundation (1075272): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1075272
7. Application statistics from 2021: 410 applications considered, 55 grants made totaling £52,500 through Small Grants Programme; 27 total grants to 21 charities totaling £289,225 overall
8. Financial data from Charity Commission register for year ending December 2, 2024: Total income £1,977,325; Charitable activities expenditure £725,244