United Utilities Trust Fund

The Trust funds two distinct areas of work. For individuals, it provides grants to clear water arrears and purchase essential household items such as fridges, beds, and cookers for those in severe hardship. For organisations, it supports money advice and financial literacy projects that help people manage debt and build financial capability. The Trust is keen to fund grassroots community groups that offer debt advice alongside other community services, as well as organisations that can develop online content and provide digital outreach around debt and financial literacy. All funded work must take place within the North West of England, specifically the United Utilities Water Ltd catchment area. Organisational projects are expected to run for at least one year, and the Trust encourages applications that involve match funding or contributions towards project delivery.

Both individuals and organisations can apply. Individual grants are for domestic water customers of United Utilities who are facing genuine financial distress. Organisational grants are open to registered charities, voluntary organisations, not-for-profit organisations, public benefit entities, community groups, and social enterprises. The Trust particularly welcomes applications from grassroots community groups that wish to provide money and debt advice alongside other community services, and from organisations that can develop online content and provide digital outreach around debt and financial literacy. There is no religious restriction. Applicants should be based in or serve the North West of England, within the United Utilities supply area.

The Trust does not fund core costs, salaries, capital works, equipment, training, research, events, transport, feasibility studies, or emergency appeals. It cannot give loans or help with bills that have already been paid or items that have already been purchased. Organisational grants are not available to national charities that cannot accept funding on a regional basis, grant-making bodies seeking to distribute grants on the Trust's behalf, or for general appeals, sponsorship, or marketing appeals. The Trust also will not fund the replacement of existing programmes or of statutory funding.

The Trust provides grants for projects delivered over a minimum of one year, with the potential for projects of excellence to be considered for continuation funding if budgets are available. It encourages applications that involve match funding or contributions towards project delivery. The Trust welcomes unsolicited applications from eligible organisations and individuals. Funding is provided as grants, not loans, and is discretionary, based on the Trust's mission to relieve water poverty in the North West.