Woodsmith Foundation Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1.7 million+ (2022)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 1 month from application submission
• Grant Range: £1,500 - £40,000 (depending on programme)
• Geographic Focus: Scarborough Borough, Redcar & Cleveland Borough, and North York Moors National Park

Contact Details

Website: www.woodsmithfoundation.org.uk

Email: grants@woodsmithfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 07724 832982 (Leah Swain, CEO) or 07756 395535 (Rebecca Wagner, Grants and Programmes Officer)

Address: Registered charity in England, Charity Number 1163127

Pre-Application Support: The Foundation encourages applicants to call Leah on 07724 832982 to discuss applications before submitting. They emphasize being “a supportive and friendly funder” with an accessible grants process.

Overview

The Woodsmith Foundation was established in 2013 by Sirius Minerals Plc as an independent grant-giving body, with its first awards made in December 2017. Following Anglo American's acquisition of the Woodsmith Mine in March 2020, the Foundation has been funded by Anglo American and Anglo American Foundation, receiving £1 million annually during mine construction. Anglo American has pledged two consecutive four-year funding packages of £4 million each (2020-2024 and 2024-2028). The Foundation has a 100-year contractual commitment to receive 0.5% of mine revenue, which is expected to amount to several million pounds annually once the mine is operational.

Since 2017, the Foundation has supported almost 500 projects and distributed over £1.7 million in 2022 alone. The Foundation's mission focuses on creating “a positive and lasting legacy” from the Woodsmith Mine, taking “an approach that is flexible, learning with communities about what works best for them, adapting to the strengths in our villages and towns, and creating a culture that enables potential.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants (£10,000 maximum)

• Total pot: £180,000 across three annual rounds
• Application method: Online via Formstack
• Fixed deadlines in 2025: 26th March, 16th July, and 5th November (all at 10am)
• Can only apply once every 12 months
• Decision timeline: Within one month of submission

Young & Talented Fund (£1,500 maximum)

• For children and young people up to age 18 (or 25 for those with special needs)
• Supports those who have already demonstrated exceptional talent in their chosen subject
• Application method: Call Leah on 07724 832982 to request application form
• Requires independent reference
• Rolling basis: February to October annually

Expression of Interest (larger grants)

• Total pot: Up to £400,000
• Grant range: Typically £10,000 - £40,000 for single projects
• Rolling basis: February to October
• For capital projects between £15,000-£50,000, requires 75% of costs already secured
• Larger capital projects over £50,000 are not funded
• Recommendation: Apply early as budget closes once allocated

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds projects that:

1. Increase opportunities for better life chances - Supporting education, skills training, employment pathways, and reducing barriers to opportunity

1. Encourage positive changes by improving lives and places - Including wellbeing support, social activities, action on social issues (such as climate change), improving public spaces and facilities

1. Bring people together and enrich lives - Ensuring local spaces, resources and activities that provide pleasure, learning, or community action

1. Prioritize disadvantage - Projects that support people most at disadvantage due to unfavourable circumstances or facing barriers that lead to inequality

Recent funded projects include: North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre singing for the brain group (£10,000), Carers Plus Yorkshire sibling carers group (£9,900), Whitby Boxing Club facility relocation (£50,000), Whitby Lobster Hatchery expansion (£95,000), and Scarborough Pride LGBT+ community support.

What They Don't Fund

Geographic restrictions:

• Projects outside Scarborough Borough, Redcar & Cleveland Borough, or North York Moors National Park

Capital project restrictions:

• Capital projects costing more than £50,000
• Capital projects between £15,000-£50,000 without 75% of costs already secured
• Capital costs for buildings you don't own where the lease is less than 5 years
• Vehicle capital costs where the vehicle will only be used by one organisation for their own members

Activity restrictions:

• One-off events, festivals, fundraising days
• School residentials and day trips
• Activities during the school day
• Statutory education provision
• Projects where funding will be passed on as grants/sponsorship/donations to others
• Activities already funded by another organisation
• Faith-based activities that include promotion or practice of religion (though secular activities by faith organisations are eligible)

Organisational restrictions:

• Organisations without at least two unrelated people on their board/committee
• Organisations without at least two unrelated bank signatories
• Companies limited by guarantee (may be considered once only after detailed due diligence)

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Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

• Leah Swain, Chief Executive (appointed 2021)
• Helen Kennedy, Community Connector
• Rebecca Wagner, Grants and Programmes Officer

Board of Trustees (7 members)

• Ian Swales (Chair) - Former MP for Redcar
• Jon Samuels
• Dr. Elizabeth Walmsley
• Will Woods
• Neil Irving - Former Assistant Director (Policy, Partnerships and Communities), North Yorkshire County Council
• Jackie Flynn
• Sir Martin Narey

Key Quotes from Leadership

Leah Swain on the Foundation's approach:

“We strive to be a supportive and friendly funder and wish to build long term relationships with our communities. Our grants process is designed to be easily accessible, and as simple as possible.”

"We know that there are so many fantastic charities and organisations with established projects and new ideas, but who lack the funding to continue or succeed – we can help. For us, our work is more than just awarding the money, it's about ensuring we make a positive difference to the lives of local people."

“Our Community Grants rounds support local people to make a measurable difference in their communities. From sports equipment to village hall refurbishments, social activities for all ages, and projects that support people who are disadvantaged due to unfavourable circumstances, we know the funding creates positive change.”

On her role:

"It's incredibly exciting to have the resources and flexibility to be able to properly support communities, organisations and individuals to make a difference in their area... Every day brings something new – but most importantly this is a job that fits my ethos of trying to work with kindness, curiousity and courage."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Community Grants:

1. Read the 2025 Community Grants Guidance document thoroughly
2. Consider calling Leah (07724 832982) or Rebecca (07756 395535) to discuss your application
3. Submit online application via Formstack link on website
4. Deadlines: 26th March, 16th July, 5th November 2025 (all at 10am)

Young & Talented Fund:

1. Call Leah on 07724 832982 to request application form
2. Secure an independent reference
3. Submit application (rolling basis, February-October)

Expression of Interest:

1. Review guidance on website
2. Contact foundation to discuss larger project
3. Submit Expression of Interest (rolling basis, February-October)
4. Apply early as budget closes once allocated

Decision Timeline

• The Foundation aims to inform applicants of a decision within one month from the submission of an application form
• Notification method: Direct contact via email or phone

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. However, the Foundation awarded:

• Over £1.7 million in 2022
• Almost £250,000 to 70 organisations in one 2023 funding round
• Over £1.5 million across 2023 and 2024
• £90,000 across the first 2024 funding round

With three Community Grants rounds totaling £180,000 annually plus larger Expression of Interest grants up to £400,000, the Foundation appears to have substantial resources relative to typical community foundation grant programmes.

Reapplication Policy

• Applicants may only apply once in 12 months
• If successful with an alternative bid for the same work after applying to the Foundation, applicants should contact the Foundation to discuss their application
• Specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not explicitly stated - contact the Foundation for clarification

Application Success Factors

Direct advice from the Foundation:

1. Contact them before applying - The Foundation explicitly encourages pre-application discussions: “We recommend calling Leah on 07724 832982 to discuss your application”

1. Read guidance documents thoroughly - Each grant programme has detailed guidance that applicants should review before applying

1. Focus on measurable difference - Leah Swain emphasizes projects that “make a measurable difference in their communities”

1. Demonstrate support for disadvantaged groups - The Foundation “prioritises funding projects that support people most at disadvantage due to unfavourable circumstances or facing barriers that lead to inequality”

1. Show community benefit - Projects should clearly demonstrate how they increase opportunities, encourage positive changes, or bring people together

1. Apply early for Expression of Interest - The Foundation explicitly states: “We strongly recommend you do not wait until the end of October to send us your Expressions of Interest as we will close for applications once the 2025 budget is allocated”

Examples of funded projects:

• Wellbeing and social activities (North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre - £10,000)
• Supporting carers (Carers Plus Yorkshire - £9,900)
• LGBT+ community support (Scarborough Pride)
• Sports facilities and equipment (Whitby Boxing Club - £50,000)
• Environmental/conservation projects (Whitby Lobster Hatchery - £95,000)
• Village hall refurbishments and community facilities
• Skills training and employment support

Language and terminology:

The Foundation uses inclusive, accessible language emphasizing:

• “Positive change” and “better life chances”
• “Community” and “local people”
• “Measurable difference”
• “Kindness, curiosity and courage”
• “Long term relationships”
• Being “supportive and friendly”

Standing out:

• Demonstrate how your project addresses disadvantage or inequality
• Show evidence of community need and support
• Be clear about measurable outcomes
• Align with the Foundation's three priority areas
• Consider how your project creates lasting legacy in the local area

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Geographic eligibility is strict - Your project must benefit people in Scarborough Borough, Redcar & Cleveland Borough, or North York Moors National Park. This is non-negotiable.

1. Pre-application contact is strongly encouraged - The Foundation explicitly invites phone discussions before submission. Take advantage of this to ensure your project aligns with priorities and to build a relationship with staff.

1. Focus on disadvantage and inequality - The Foundation prioritizes projects supporting people facing barriers or unfavourable circumstances. Clearly articulate how your project addresses these issues.

1. One application per year maximum - Choose your timing carefully as you cannot reapply for 12 months. Consider which funding round best suits your project timeline.

1. Apply early for larger grants - Expression of Interest funding closes once the budget is allocated, which in 2024 happened by July. Don't wait until the October deadline.

1. One-month decision timeline is fast - With decisions within a month, you can plan project timelines more confidently than with many funders. Be prepared to move quickly once approved.

1. Demonstrate measurable outcomes - The Foundation emphasizes “measurable difference.” Include specific, quantifiable outcomes in your application rather than vague aspirations.

References

1. Woodsmith Foundation official website - “About” page: https://www.woodsmithfoundation.org.uk/about

1. Woodsmith Foundation official website - “Apply Now” page: https://www.woodsmithfoundation.org.uk/apply-now

1. Charity Commission Register - Woodsmith Foundation Limited (1163127): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1163127&subid=0

1. Anglo American UK - “Anglo American continues commitment to Woodsmith Foundation”: https://uk.angloamerican.com/about-us/our-stories/communities/anglo-american-continues-commitment-to-woodsmith-foundation

1. Anglo American UK - “Local communities to benefit from £250k Woodsmith Foundation funding” (2023): https://uk.angloamerican.com/media/press-releases/2023/local-communities-to-benefit-from-pound-250k-woodsmith-foundation-funding

1. The Scarborough News - “Giant mine project appoints chief executive for charity” (2021): https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/giant-mine-project-appoints-chief-executive-charity-3126965

1. Woodsmith Foundation official website - “Meet our CEO, Leah Swain”: https://www.woodsmithfoundation.org.uk/news-and-stories/meet-our-ceo-leah-swain

1. The Scarborough News - “Scarborough and Whitby charities among beneficiaries of £90,000 grants from Woodsmith Foundation”: https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/people/scarborough-and-whitby-charities-among-beneficiaries-of-ps90000-grants-from-woodsmith-foundation-5220293

1. RCVDA - “Woodsmith Foundation Funding Available” (2024): https://www.rcvda.org.uk/2024/02/24/woodsmith-foundation-funding-available/

1. Woodsmith Foundation official website - Community Grants page: https://woodsmithfoundation.org.uk/current-funding/community-grants/