MW (Ho) Foundation

The MW (Ho) Foundation, a charitable company registered in England and Wales since its establishment as the Meir Weisz Foundation in November 2009 (re-registered in July 2010), operates from Prestwich, Manchester. Governed by trustees David and Hilary Olsberg, it pursues broad charitable purposes through grant-making, emphasizing education and training, poverty relief, religious activities, and general community support. Its flexible, responsive ethos prioritizes trustee-led decisions to direct modest resources toward local impact, serving diverse beneficiaries including children and young people, the elderly, ethnic or racial communities, individuals, and voluntary groups, with a core focus on Manchester while extending UK-wide.

The foundation funds a wide array of initiatives, from project and core costs to unrestricted support for educational programs, hardship relief, religious endeavors, and general charitable aims. It targets small to medium grassroots charities and community groups addressing community needs, without rigid thematic exclusions beyond its charitable objects.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups of any geographic base or size, though it shows strong preference for smaller Manchester and Greater Manchester organizations; there are no formal income thresholds. It does not accept unsolicited applications, relying instead on trustee discretion with no published process, forms, or deadlines—decisions occur ad hoc during periodic meetings. Typical grants range from £1,000 to £5,000 (averaging £2,000–£3,000), favoring modest, need-based awards to local causes. Distinctively, its generalist approach, lack of Gift Aid recognition, and emphasis on diverse, trustee-identified recipients set it apart as a nimble supporter of underserved communities.