Wisley Foundation

The Foundation funds projects in health, disability, poverty alleviation, and educational disadvantage. This includes specialist cancer and hospice care, social-emotional support for children and families with additional needs, resources for disabled individuals, and capacity-building for mental health or poverty initiatives. Grants support specific project costs that yield clear, reportable outcomes such as reduced isolation or enhanced wellbeing. The Foundation primarily supports organisations based in Surrey, with occasional grants to groups in adjoining counties, and focuses on local needs obscured by public funding cuts.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups, with a strong preference for small, grassroots organisations based in Surrey. The Foundation prioritises groups that are low-income and locally focused, serving beneficiaries including young people, children with special needs, the elderly, those with life-limiting illnesses, carers, and hardship-affected families. There is no formal income threshold, but the Foundation looks for organisations that are nimble and deeply embedded in their communities.

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, core funding requests, or general-purpose support. It also does not fund unrestricted funding or large-scale initiatives, preferring to support specific, impactful projects. The Foundation operates exclusively by invitation, so it does not consider unsolicited proposals or requests for funding outside its proactive approach.

The Wisley Foundation operates on an invite-only basis, proactively identifying and approaching organisations through its networks. It provides project-specific grants that cover defined costs, aiming for catalytic impact rather than ongoing support. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and focuses on a hands-on, results-oriented approach, working closely with selected grantees to ensure measurable outcomes.