Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation

Could Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: £5,000 – £40,000
Applications: Not accepted

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

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About Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation

The Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation is a family-led philanthropic trust established in 1997 by Anthony Graham Williams and Sheelagh Williams, now chaired by Madeleine Graham Harding. Its mission is to empower families and communities to develop sustainable, place-based solutions to local challenges. Rooted in values of trust, empowerment, and long-term impact, the foundation favours collaborative, system-focused approaches over traditional grant-making. Its flagship Thrive initiative in Buckinghamshire exemplifies a multi-year partnership model that fosters family resilience and community-led transformation. The foundation supports direct services across health, social care, youth development, and other areas of community wellbeing, prioritising lasting change and social cohesion.

What Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation funds

The foundation funds direct services and projects that address health and social care, youth development, homelessness prevention, food insecurity relief, domestic abuse support, adult literacy, and crisis advice. It prioritises interventions for women, young people, families in crisis, and people experiencing homelessness. Geographically, the foundation has a strong preference for charities and social enterprises operating in Buckinghamshire, particularly High Wycombe and Aylesbury. National or international organisations with personal or strategic ties to the foundation may also be considered. The foundation supports a range of costs including core, unrestricted, project, and capacity-building expenses, with a focus on innovative pilots that enhance family wellbeing and social cohesion.

Who can apply

The foundation works with UK-registered charities and social enterprises that deliver grassroots services. It prioritises organisations serving women, young people, families in crisis, and people experiencing homelessness. While there is a strong preference for charities based in Buckinghamshire, especially High Wycombe and Aylesbury, organisations with personal or strategic connections to the foundation may also be considered. Smaller, impactful local organisations aligned with the foundation's ethos are particularly favoured. Please note that the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; it operates through trustee-selected partners.

What Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation doesn't fund

The foundation does not fund generalist charitable appeals or organisations that do not align with its focus on family wellbeing and social cohesion. It also does not accept unsolicited applications; all funding is provided through trustee-selected partners. The foundation avoids generalist funding, instead concentrating on innovative pilots and direct services that meet its priorities.

How they like to fund

The foundation offers multi-year partnerships and project-based grants, including unrestricted, core, and capacity-building support. It prioritises innovative pilots that enhance family wellbeing and social cohesion. All funding is provided at the trustees' discretion through personal relationships or invitations; unsolicited applications are not accepted.

How much does Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation give?

£5,000 – £40,000

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 & youthWomen & girlsHomelessnessPoverty & hardshipCommunity

How to apply to Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation

Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation 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

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation.
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 Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation provide?

Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation typically provides grants of £5,000 - £40,000.

Where does Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation fund charities?

Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation?

Tony and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.