Cathy Wills Charitable Trust
Could Cathy Wills Charitable Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- £5,000 – £50,000
- Applications
- Not accepted
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Cathy Wills Charitable Trust
The Cathy Wills Charitable Trust is a UK-registered charitable incorporated organisation established in 2022, following the division of the Cecil and Hilda Lewis Charitable Trust. Chaired by art historian and philanthropist Catherine Wills, the Trust advances public benefit by making grants to established charities. Its mission centres on welfare for the elderly, disabled people, and children—particularly women and children—alongside medical research, education, and the visual arts. The Trust operates a founder-led, invitation-only approach, drawing on strong ties to the arts and Jewish community. It funds through a trustee-selected process, reflecting a personal, family philanthropic legacy.
What Cathy Wills Charitable Trust funds
The Trust supports project-based work, core costs, capital for institutions, and public art. Cause areas include welfare for the elderly, disabled people, and children, especially women and children; medical research; education; and the visual arts. Recent grants have benefited arts charities, museums, medical organisations, and welfare providers. It funds scholarships and museum programmes, as well as capital projects. Geographically, the Trust supports charities and academic institutions operating primarily in the UK or Israel.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are well-established UK-registered charities and academic institutions operating primarily in the UK or Israel. The Trust favours medium-to-large organisations with strong governance. Beneficiaries include elderly people, disabled individuals, and children—particularly women and children—as well as those involved in medical research, education, and the visual arts. No income thresholds apply, but the Trust prefers organisations with a proven track record.
What Cathy Wills Charitable Trust doesn't fund
The Trust does not fund direct service provision, newly established or unproven organisations, or non-charitable causes. Grants are reserved for established entities with a strong track record and governance.
How they like to fund
Grants are made by invitation only, with trustees selecting beneficiaries through personal networks and sector knowledge. The Trust funds project-based work, core costs, capital for institutions, and public art. It does not accept unsolicited applications, focusing on sustainable, high-impact giving within its family philanthropic legacy.
How much does Cathy Wills Charitable Trust give?
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.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Cathy Wills Charitable Trust
Cathy Wills Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.
- A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
- If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
- Decisions are typically once per year.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Cathy Wills Charitable Trust.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Cathy Wills Charitable Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Cathy Wills Charitable Trust provide?
Cathy Wills Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £5,000 - £50,000.
Where does Cathy Wills Charitable Trust fund charities?
Cathy Wills Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Cathy Wills Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Cathy Wills Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Cathy Wills Charitable Trust?
Cathy Wills Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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