Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust
Could Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- £10,000 – £50,000
- Applications
- Existing partners only
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
Check fit free · no card
register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust
The Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust, established in 1976 by Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen, is a family-led philanthropic entity with a deeply personal mission to foster community wellbeing. Governed solely by The Hon Mrs Felicity Ann Waley-Cohen, it embodies values of personal commitment, place-based impact, and long-term continuity. The trust takes a proactive and relational approach, sustaining a small circle of trusted partners rather than inviting open applications. Its focus is on tangible, regional resilience, prioritising enduring improvements over broad or competitive grant-making.
What Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust funds
The trust funds core costs, project support, and sustaining initiatives for young people's mental health challenges, children's health services (notably the Oxford Children’s Hospital), and established cultural organizations like the Royal Shakespeare Company. Its work is concentrated in the Banbury area of Oxfordshire, plus neighbouring Warwickshire and South Northamptonshire, supporting local communities enriched by arts and heritage. The emphasis is on strategic depth for long-standing partners, with a preference for heritage-aligned causes that build regional resilience.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, preferably established medium-to-large organisations with proven track records and pre-existing trustee relationships, operating in the specified locales. Grassroots or new entities are not considered. Beneficiaries include children and youth facing mental health issues, hospital patients and families, and local communities enriched by arts and heritage. The trust is closed to new applicants, working only with its existing circle of trusted partners.
What Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust doesn't fund
The trust excludes capital, seed, or emergency funding. It does not support grassroots or new entities, and it does not consider unsolicited applications. Its focus is on strategic, heritage-aligned depth for long-standing partners rather than new or experimental programs.
How they like to fund
The trust funds core costs, project support, and sustaining initiatives, with grants awarded ad hoc via trustee discretion. It takes a proactive and relational approach, sustaining a small circle of trusted partners rather than inviting open applications. The trust is closed to new applicants, working by invitation only with its existing partners.
How much does Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen 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 Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust
Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen 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 Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen 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 Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust provide?
Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £10,000 - £50,000.
Where does Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust fund charities?
Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust?
Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen 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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Could Robert and Felicity Waley-Cohen Charitable Trust be a fit?
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