Retail Trust

Could Retail Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: £250 – £2,500
Applications: Not accepted
Decisions: Rolling (no fixed deadline)

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

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retailtrust.org.uk

About Retail Trust

Retail Trust, established in 1832, is one of the UK's oldest trade charities, dedicated to creating hope, health, and happiness for current and former retail workers and their dependants across Great Britain. Rooted in a vision to protect and care for those in the retail sector, it has evolved from retirement housing to holistic wellbeing support, guided by values of collaboration, transformation, and integrity. As the only national charity exclusively serving the retail workforce, it blends direct practical aid—such as a confidential helpline, counselling, and legal or debt advice—with advocacy, employer partnerships, and sector-wide initiatives. The Trust prioritises funding for retail employees and their families facing disadvantage from youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship, bereavement, domestic abuse, or job loss.

What Retail Trust funds

The Trust supports mental and physical health, financial distress relief, housing stability, and employability through bursaries and training, along with crisis interventions. Key programmes include one-off hardship grants for essentials like rent arrears, bills, or medical needs, plus supported living estates in England and Scotland. There are no geographic restrictions within England, Scotland, and Wales. The funder focuses on retail workers and their dependants, with priority given to those affected by adversity such as ill-health, disability, financial hardship, bereavement, domestic abuse, or job loss. Cause areas encompass mental health, health, and poverty, reflecting the Trust's holistic approach to wellbeing.

Who can apply

Funding is available to individuals—current or former retail employees and their dependants—rather than organisations or charities. Eligible applicants must have a connection to the UK retail sector or related industries, with no geographic restrictions within England, Scotland, and Wales. The Trust does not set income thresholds, and prioritises those facing disadvantage due to factors such as age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship, bereavement, domestic abuse, or job loss. Applications are not accepted from organisations; only personal support is provided.

What Retail Trust doesn't fund

Retail Trust does not fund organisational projects, core costs, or unrestricted grants. It does not provide support to charities, community groups, or businesses. Funding is exclusively for individuals and their families, not for any form of organisational expenditure or general operating costs.

How they like to fund

The Trust provides one-off hardship grants to cover essential needs such as rent arrears, bills, and medical expenses. Support is delivered through direct practical aid and employer partnerships, enabling rapid response to crises. Grants are not recurring; each award is a single intervention. The funder does not accept unsolicited applications, working instead through its established networks and partnerships within the retail sector.

How much does Retail Trust give?

£250 – £2,500

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

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Mental healthHealthPoverty & hardship

How to apply to Retail Trust

Retail 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 rolling (no fixed deadline).

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Retail Trust.
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Retail Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Retail Trust provide?

Retail Trust typically provides grants of £250 - £2,500.

Where does Retail Trust fund charities?

Retail Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Retail Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Retail Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Retail Trust?

Retail Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.