Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust

Could Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants
£5,000 – £25,000
Applications
By invitation only
Decisions
As needed

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

Check fit free · no card

register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk

About Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust

The Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust is a family-founded grant-maker established by philanthropists Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson to relieve hardship and promote welfare. Guided by values of community benefit and practical impact, it operates as a pragmatic generalist funder without a narrow thematic focus, prioritising flexible aid to established charities. The Trust supports a broad range of causes including health, education, children's services, hospices, elder care, disability support, and welfare for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children, and those facing illness or social exclusion. Distinctively, the Trust is invitation-only; trustees identify and contact selected organisations at their discretion, and it does not accept unsolicited applications.

What Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust funds

The Trust funds a diverse array of projects and core costs across the UK with no regional restrictions. Examples of supported work include specialist therapies and home adaptations for disabled children, support for spina bifida and hydrocephalus, dental health initiatives, and hospice services. It also supports education and healthcare efforts for disadvantaged communities, emphasising service delivery over capital projects. The Trust's broad charitable scope covers health, education, children's services, elder care, disability support, and welfare for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children, and those facing illness or social exclusion.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities with proven impact records. There are no income thresholds or religious restrictions. The Trust works with both small and large charities, but it is invitation-only; trustees identify and contact selected organisations at their discretion, so unsolicited applications are not accepted. The Trust prioritises established charities addressing the priority groups above.

What Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications and focuses on service delivery over capital projects. It does not have a narrow thematic focus, but it prioritises flexible aid to established charities rather than supporting individuals or non-registered organisations.

How they like to fund

The Trust funds both projects and core costs, with a preference for responsive, high-impact support. It operates by invitation only, with trustees identifying and contacting selected organisations at their discretion. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications and has no open calls or published strategies.

How much does Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust give?

£5,000 – £25,000

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
Children & youthEducationDisabilityHealthOlder people

How to apply to Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust

Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson 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 as needed.

What you can do here

  1. 1
    Check fit. See if your project aligns with Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust.
  2. 2
    Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
  3. 3
    Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust provide?

Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £5,000 - £25,000.

Where does Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust fund charities?

Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust?

Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson 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.

Spotted something that needs correcting? Tell us.

Could Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust be a fit?

Check free — then find open funders like them.