Ann Watson's Trust

Could Ann Watson's Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £200 – £2,000
Where they fund: Kingston Upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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About Ann Watson's Trust

Ann Watson's Trust is one of the UK's oldest charities, established in 1720 by the will of Mrs Ann Watson, wife of Rev. Abraham Watson. Rooted in compassion and faith-based inclusion, the Trust manages a historic endowment from tenanted farms, properties, and investments, funding its work without public appeals. Its mission is to relieve women in need—prioritising elderly ladies, widows, and unmarried daughters connected to the Church of England clergy—and to advance education for young people under 25 in Kingston Upon Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. The Trust also maintains a Grade II listed building in Sutton, Hull, offering self-contained flats to practising Christians, originally Church of England members. What makes the Trust distinctive is its 300-year legacy, its focus on women connected to the clergy, and its hyper-local impact.

What Ann Watson's Trust funds

The Trust funds educational advancement through grants for equipment, books, special needs support, travel, employability training, life skills, and arts, targeting disadvantaged young people under 25 who have lived in Kingston Upon Hull or East Riding of Yorkshire for at least three years. Organisational grants support local voluntary bodies and schools delivering community benefits, including social and emotional development projects. The Trust also provides relief to elderly women, widows, and unmarried daughters of Church of England clergy, with non-resident clergy widows potentially qualifying via York Diocese recommendations. All funded work must serve the specified geographic areas of Hull and East Yorkshire.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, schools, and academic institutions, all of which must serve Kingston Upon Hull or East Riding of Yorkshire. The Trust prefers applications from Christian-led initiatives aligned with its founding values. Individuals, including young people seeking educational support and women in need connected to the clergy, may also apply through a means-tested process. Organisations typically have an income below a certain threshold, described as smaller to medium-sized. The Trust prioritises applicants with strong local roots and a clear connection to the specified locales.

What Ann Watson's Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not fund core costs, salaries, or statutory provision. It excludes any work that is not aligned with its Christian founding values, and generally does not support large-scale or national charities. Organisations serving areas outside Kingston Upon Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire are not eligible.

How they like to fund

The Trust offers one-off grants, typically ranging from smaller amounts for individuals to larger bursaries for organisations, with no specified multi-year commitments mentioned. It welcomes unsolicited applications via online forms or a designated platform for bursaries, and processes grants through meetings held throughout the year. The Trust does not provide match funding or partnerships as part of its standard grantmaking approach.

How much does Ann Watson's Trust give?

£200 – £2,000

Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithPrefers faith-based (Christian)

Focus areas

EducationChildren & youthOlder people

How to apply to Ann Watson's Trust

Ann Watson's Trust takes applications via online form.

Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Ann Watson's Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Ann Watson's Trust provide?

Ann Watson's Trust typically provides grants of £200 - £2,000.

Where does Ann Watson's Trust fund charities?

Ann Watson's Trust funds charities operating in Kingston Upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire.

Does Ann Watson's Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Ann Watson's Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

How do I apply for funding from Ann Watson's Trust?

Ann Watson's Trust takes applications via online form. Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.