The Wixamtree Trust
The Wixamtree Trust (Registered Charity No 210089) is a general grant-making Trust whose Trustees have decided to focus most of their support on organisations and projects based or operating in Bedfordshire. In addition the Trustees support a small number of national charities with whom the Trusts main benefactor had been associated with during his life. The Trustees meet four times each year, usually in February, April, July and October to consider funding requests. During the year ended 5 April 2023 the Trust gave donations amounting to almost £1 Million. Since the Wixamtree Trust was established, £15 Million has been donated.
Who may apply
The organisation must either be based or operating within the county of Bedfordshire. They must also be either a registered charity or considered to be charitable in nature by the Inland Revenue. The Trust does not provide support to individuals and overseas aid is outside of our criteria.
How to apply
The Trust only accepts applications via an online application form available on the application page. Please ensure you have read all the guidance available on this page to ensure you are eligible to apply.
Supporting documents required
In addition to the completed form, applicants must provide a copy of their latest audited Report and Accounts with their application. If the organisation is not a charity, then a copy of its constitution must also be included with their application.
A blank paying-in slip or a redacted bank statement is required to accompany your application, in order for it to be considered.
The supporting documents must be attached to your application, a link to a stored document is not acceptable.
Applicants may, if they so wish, provide additional information in support of their submission. This can be emailed to [email protected].
How much may be applied for
The Trustees usually give grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 with a small number of donations outside this range. It is rare for the Trustees to approve a grant amounting to more than 10% of the annual running costs of an organisation or of any particular project or service for which the funds are being sought.
The Trustees prefer to award single grants, rather than multiple payments; however they are happy for further applications to be made on the anniversary of awards.
The Trustees have instigated a Small Grants Programme, which are considered in-between meetings, via a Trustee sub-committee, making awards of up to £4,000.
Please note, the Trustees do not give more than one grant per organisation, in any twelve month period.
Notification of Trustees’ decisions
Successful applicants will be advised within 14 days of the Trustees’ meeting of the amount that has been approved and, apart from applicants to whom an amount is being pledged subject to the meeting of certain conditions, a BACs payment will be made. If the Trustees decide to pledge an amount to allow the applicant more time to raise additional funds, resolve planning issues, etc, then the offer would normally be kept open for twelve months from the date of the pledge after which time the organisation would have to reapply.
Unsuccessful applicants will also be advised of the Trustees’ decision, within 14 days of the meeting.
Donation Acknowledgements
The Trustees require written confirmation of the safe receipt of their grant payments. This must be provided on organisation’s headed paper.
Feedback and Project Updates
The Trustees are always interested to receive annual reports on how their donation has been used and to what degree their support has helped a particular project or service in the achievement of its aims and objectives.
Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust
The Trustees of The Wixamtree Trust have entered into an arrangement with the Trustees of the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust (BHHCT) who consider applications from Bedfordshire churches which are seeking support for repairs to the fabric of their buildings. It was felt that the BHHCT had more expertise in this area and by using their network of assessors to decide what projects should be supported. Bedfordshire churches seeking such support should therefore contact BHHCT via their website www.bedshertshct.org.uk
An annual donation is given to BHHCT to support such appeals on behalf of The Wixamtree Trust.
Registered Charity No 210089
Trademark No 2566904 (re-registered Dec 2020)