Wight Aid Foundation

The WightAID Foundation, established in April 2016, is a grant-making charity dedicated to enhancing the Isle of Wight community by funding vital services and projects that address local needs, particularly for those in hardship or disadvantage. It connects island businesses and donors to grassroots causes through a streamlined, efficient process, harnessing collective resources for maximum impact. Core values—forward-thinking, collaborative, inclusive, and transparent—underpin its mission to improve quality of life and strengthen social fabric, with volunteer trustees ensuring robust governance and every penny directly supporting island projects.

It prioritises diverse themes including culture, traditions, and amateur sports (especially for youth and disabled people); physical/mental health and life-saving initiatives; community development; environmental protection; and relief for age, ill-health, or financial hardship. Funding supports project work and core costs for small/medium grassroots charities, disability groups, youth initiatives, health/wellbeing efforts, and environmental causes, as seen in grants for inclusive theatre workshops, community events, and sight-impaired support.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and Isle of Wight community groups delivering direct local benefits—no income thresholds, though preference leans toward smaller organisations; unsolicited applications welcome with no religious restrictions. Grants typically range from £500 to £10,000. Applications via straightforward online form are accepted rolling basis, with decisions usually within weeks—no fixed deadlines.

Distinctive for its hyper-local Isle of Wight exclusivity, business-philanthropy model, and rejection of non-island or large national projects, WightAID stands out by fostering collaborative island giving and community cohesion.