Bates Wells Foundation
Could Bates Wells Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £25,000 – £25,000
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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bateswells.co.ukAbout Bates Wells Foundation
The Bates Wells Foundation is an independent UK-registered charitable organisation established by the law firm Bates Wells. It honours the legacy of charity lawyer Stephen Lloyd by funding and championing innovative projects that drive sustainable social change. Rooted in values of innovation, equity, collaboration, and public benefit, the Trust identifies trailblazing UK initiatives through the Stephen Lloyd Awards, providing not just grants but expert mentoring, capacity-building, and networking to scale impact. Its focus is on creative, systemic solutions addressing root causes in areas like education, health, community cohesion, social justice, and support for vulnerable groups. The foundation operates UK-wide and favours emerging ideas over mature projects from larger charities.
What Bates Wells Foundation funds
The foundation supports innovative projects that tackle root causes and offer scalable, systemic solutions. Cause areas include education, health, community cohesion, social justice, and support for vulnerable groups. It funds a range of work from seed funding to capacity-building, with a particular interest in trailblazing initiatives that can grow their impact. The Trust operates UK-wide without regional restrictions, and it prioritises projects that are creative and address underlying issues rather than symptoms.
Who can apply
UK-registered charities, social enterprises, and community groups are eligible. The foundation has a strong preference for small, early-stage, or grassroots organisations and startups, especially those with incomes below established thresholds. It favours emerging ideas over mature projects from larger charities. No religious or beneficiary restrictions apply, and organisations from across the UK are welcome to apply.
What Bates Wells Foundation doesn't fund
The foundation does not fund non-UK entities. It also excludes projects that are not scalable or that only address symptoms rather than root causes. Mature projects from larger charities are less likely to be supported, as the focus is on emerging ideas.
How they like to fund
The foundation provides grants alongside expert mentoring, capacity-building, and networking support to help scale impact. This blend of financial aid and strategic expertise is designed to back high-risk, high-reward innovators. It welcomes unsolicited applications and operates through the Stephen Lloyd Awards programme.
How much does Bates Wells Foundation give?
Bates Wells Foundation runs 2 grant programmes.
Last verified 8 August 2026
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
Good to know
How to apply to Bates Wells Foundation
Bates Wells Foundation takes applications via online form.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Bates Wells Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Bates Wells Foundation provide?
Bates Wells Foundation typically provides grants of £25,000 - £25,000.
Where does Bates Wells Foundation fund charities?
Bates Wells Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Bates Wells Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Bates Wells Foundation 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 Bates Wells Foundation?
Bates Wells Foundation takes applications via online form. Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
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Could Bates Wells Foundation be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.