Our criteria

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• Applicants must:

  • be a West Yorkshire-based registered charity or CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) with a Charity Commission registration number

  • have their head office/Charity Commission main address in West Yorkshire and work with predominantly West Yorkshire communities

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• Applicants must support economically and socially disadvantaged residents of West Yorkshire to live a happier and healthier life, by tackling one or more of the following issues: 

  • isolation

  • lack of emotional, practical or educational support

  • poverty

  • reduction in community spaces where people can come together

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• Applicants must have less than a £1million income (based on their last financial year’s accounts).

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• Applicants must be committed to ensuring a safe culture for its staff, volunteers and beneficiaries.

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• The Trust generally funds charities which:

  • have a well-balanced board and quality leadership

  • have a good financial record 

  • demonstrate willingness to improve if the above two points need work

  • communicate that there is a real need for the charity’s support/activities 

  • can demonstrate the importance of funding from the Trust at the next meeting

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• In order to maintain a high grant success rate (more than 50% of all enquiries), the Trust currently does not accept applications from:

  • any community groups or organisations not registered with the Charity Commission 

  • churches which are not a registered charity

  • CICs (Community Interest Companies)

  • Community Benefit Societies

  • Co-operative Societies

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• During the 2026-27 financial year, the Trust aims to give out around 90 grants, totalling £350,000 across three meetings in June, October and February. 

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• The Trust gives predominantly one-off, flexible grants ranging between £1,000 – £5,000 for running, capital or project costs. Currently, most grants are in the £2,000 - £4,000 region.                                           

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• Over the next few years, the Trust aims to give out more multi-year grants, which will generally be for two – three years. 

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• Multi-year beneficiaries are chosen by the Trust Manager and trustees based on the application, meeting with the Trust Manager and trustee assessments. It is likely that multi-year recipients will:

  • have around £100K - £200K income or lower

  • be a steady organisation with around 3-6 months reserves

  • have at least one year’s accounts