Dawes Trust
Could Dawes Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- From £100,000
- Applications
- By invitation only
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Dawes Trust
The Dawes Trust, established in 2011, is a UK grant-making charity dedicated to combating crime and protecting the public. Governed by trustees with law enforcement expertise, it funds research, innovation, and interventions addressing serious threats such as child sexual abuse and violence against women and girls. The Trust favours evidence-based, forward-thinking strategies and cross-sector collaboration. It supports high-impact projects in crime reduction, public protection, and policing innovation, prioritising research centres, data analytics, technology-driven prevention, and policy-influencing programmes. Beneficiaries include the general public and organisations tackling critical crimes, with grants going to UK-registered charities and academic institutions. The Trust prefers established, large- or medium-sized entities with proven expertise. Distinctively, the Trust avoids unrestricted core costs, unrelated capital projects, or smaller-scale efforts, focusing exclusively on scalable, innovative solutions to emerging criminal challenges.
What Dawes Trust funds
The Trust funds work in crime reduction, public protection, and policing innovation, with a focus on serious threats including child sexual abuse, violence against women and girls, and organised crime. It supports research, data analytics, technology-driven prevention, and policy-influencing programmes. The Trust prioritises projects that are evidence-based, forward-thinking, and collaborative across sectors. Geographically, it funds organisations based in England, Wales, and Scotland. It has a particular interest in research centres and initiatives that develop scalable, innovative solutions to emerging criminal challenges.
Who can apply
UK-registered charities and academic institutions based in England, Wales, or Scotland are eligible. The Trust prefers established, large- or medium-sized organisations with proven expertise in their field. Beneficiaries include the general public and organisations tackling critical crimes. Funding is by invitation only; unsolicited applications are not accepted.
What Dawes Trust doesn't fund
The Trust does not fund unrestricted core costs, unrelated capital projects, or smaller-scale efforts. It focuses exclusively on scalable, innovative solutions to emerging criminal challenges, avoiding general operational support or initiatives outside its crime-fighting remit.
How they like to fund
The Trust works by invitation only, with trustees reaching out to potential grantees on an ad hoc basis. It makes multi-year investments for strategic initiatives, funding projects rather than unrestricted core costs. The Trust favours high-impact, evidence-based work and cross-sector collaboration.
How much does Dawes 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 Dawes Trust
Dawes 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.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Dawes 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 Dawes Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Dawes Trust provide?
Dawes Trust typically provides grants from £100,000.
Where does Dawes Trust fund charities?
Dawes Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Dawes Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Dawes Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Dawes Trust?
Dawes 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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