The 1989 Willan Charitable Trust (United Kingdom)

The 1989 Willan Charitable Trust Fund provides grants to charities and eligible community organisations working in Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, County Durham, and Teesside. Funding generally ranges from £1,000 to £10,000, with unrestricted or core-cost grants of up to £20,000 over two years available in exceptional cases for projects addressing high levels of social deprivation and improving local quality of life. What Is the 1989 Willan Charitable Trust Fund? The 1989 Willan Charitable Trust Fund supports charitable activities that benefit communities across North East England. The fund focuses particularly on tackling social deprivation, supporting communities experiencing disadvantage, and strengthening the quality of life for local residents. Funding can support both organisations and specific community projects, provided they demonstrate a clear local need and meaningful benefit to eligible communities. Funding Priorities The fund supports a broad range of charitable and community activities. Initiatives designed to prevent or divert young people from crime. Projects should demonstrate a clear benefit to young people and the wider local community. Maritime Heritage and Local Identity The fund also recognises the importance of the North East’s maritime tradition. Projects connected to maritime activities may receive consideration where they contribute to community wellbeing, local participation, or other charitable objectives. Heritage projects are not normally supported simply because they preserve heritage; they should demonstrate a direct connection to tackling deprivation or improving quality of life. Funding Available

Typical grants range from:

£1,000 to £10,000 for most applications. Up to £20,000 in core or unrestricted support in exceptional circumstances. The larger unrestricted grants may provide £10,000 per year for two years. Additional limits apply to certain types of applications: Uniformed youth organisations will normally receive no more than £1,500. Project Trust gap-year voluntary work can receive up to £500 toward expenses. The amount awarded depends on the strength of the application, demonstrated need, available funding, and the fund’s priorities. Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants generally include:

Registered charities. Exempt charities and organisations. Excepted organisations. Branches of national charities with annual income below £1.5 million. Organisations must conduct activities that solely benefit North East England.

Applicants should demonstrate:

A clearly identified local need. A strong understanding of the community being served. How the project will improve outcomes for beneficiaries. Can CICs and Social Enterprises Apply? Community Interest Companies (CICs), limited companies, and social enterprises may apply only when working in partnership with a registered charity acting as the lead applicant. The registered charity must therefore take responsibility as the principal applicant. Reserves and Financial Position The fund considers an organisation’s financial position when assessing applications. Organisations holding more than six months’ running costs in reserves are unlikely to receive funding unless they can demonstrate that using those reserves would reduce them to an imprudent level. Applicants should therefore explain their reserves clearly where relevant and demonstrate why grant support is necessary. What Does the Fund Not Normally Support?

The fund does not normally support:

Overseas trips. Applications from individuals, except eligible Project Trust applications from local residents. Heritage projects that do not address deprivation or improve quality of life. Environmental projects without a clear deprivation or community wellbeing connection. Scientific or medical research unless it directly addresses deprivation or improves local quality of life. Applicants should ensure that their proposal has a clear connection to the fund’s charitable and geographical priorities. Why It Matters Social deprivation can affect access to services, education, community participation, employment opportunities, and quality of life. The 1989 Willan Charitable Trust Fund provides flexible support for organisations addressing these challenges at a local level.

Its funding can help organisations:

Maintain essential community services. Improve community facilities. Support disadvantaged young people. Strengthen local self-help initiatives. Address educational disadvantage. Improve community wellbeing. Develop activities in areas experiencing high deprivation. How to Apply

Step 1: Identify the Local Need

Clearly explain the social or community problem your organisation is addressing. Use evidence where possible to demonstrate the scale and significance of the need.

Step 2: Explain Your Beneficiaries

Identify who will benefit from the project and demonstrate that they are located within the fund’s eligible North East England geography.

Step 3: Link the Proposal to Fund Priorities

Show how the proposed work contributes to priorities such as: Tackling deprivation. Improving quality of life. Supporting young people. Providing essential services. Strengthening community facilities. Supporting community wellbeing.

Step 4: Demonstrate Organisational Capacity

Explain your organisation’s experience, resources, partnerships, and ability to deliver the proposed activities effectively.

Step 5: Justify the Funding Request

Clearly explain:

How much funding is required. What the grant will pay for. Why other funding is insufficient. Why local charitable funding is essential.

Step 6: Address Your Financial Position

Provide appropriate financial information and explain significant reserves where applicable. If your organisation has more than six months of running costs in reserve, explain why those funds cannot reasonably be used for the proposed project.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Complete the fund’s application process and provide all required supporting information. Appl