Will Charitable Trust

The Will Charitable Trust, established in 1990 by the Will family, is a UK-based grant-making charity dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by blindness, cancer, and learning disabilities through targeted support for specialist charities. Guided by values of compassion, lifelong dignity, and personalised care that maximises choice and wellbeing, the Trust emphasises evidence-driven funding for substantive, long-term outcomes in social care, regularly reviewing programmes to ensure relevance and impact. Its disciplined, thematic focus distinguishes it as a respected funder prioritising transformational projects over transactional aid.

It funds holistic care and services for cancer patients and families (beyond clinical treatment), support for blind people including prevention, cure, rehabilitation, and independence initiatives like resource centres, and lifelong care for those with learning disabilities in family-like, self-directed environments. Supported activities include direct services, capital projects, innovation, and independent living schemes, with grants to organisations like RNIB, Guide Dogs, hospices, and residential care providers delivering high-quality, beneficiary-engaged impact.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities with annual income over £50,000 (preferring small to medium-sized specialists), operating UK-wide with no regional limits or religious restrictions. Currently closed to unsolicited applications due to strategic review, it will reopen in Spring 2026—check the website for updates. Previously, email applications followed online guidelines; typical grants range £3,000–£30,000 (often £10,000–£20,000) for projects, capital, or core costs aligned strictly to its three themes, excluding unrestricted or unrelated funding.