Wood Foundation
Could Wood Foundation be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- From £3,000
- Applications
- Not accepted
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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thewoodfoundation.org.ukAbout Wood Foundation
The Wood Foundation was established in 2007 by Sir Ian Wood and his family in Aberdeen, Scotland. It operates as a venture philanthropic organisation, acting as an active investor, project manager, and thought leader rather than a passive grant-maker. The Foundation focuses on tackling societal and economic inequities through transformational change, emphasising empowerment, sustainability, and systemic impact. Its work centres on three strands: economic development and entrepreneurship in East Africa, particularly in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, with a focus on smallholder agriculture in sectors such as tea and vanilla; youth development in Scotland through programmes like the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative and Excelerate; and broader Scottish economic progress through initiatives such as Opportunity North East. The Foundation takes a hands-on, co-management approach, investing for long-term societal shifts.
What Wood Foundation funds
The Foundation supports economic development and entrepreneurship in East Africa, focusing on smallholder agriculture in tea and vanilla sectors to enable market access and self-sufficiency for marginalised farmers. In Scotland, it funds youth development programmes that build employability, citizenship, and aspiration through initiatives like the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative and Excelerate. It also supports broader Scottish economic progress through Opportunity North East, which promotes innovation and skills diversification. The Foundation prioritises scalable projects that address poverty, education, and agri-market transformation, and often provides non-financial expertise alongside funding. All work is within its priority geographies: Scotland, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Who can apply
The Wood Foundation funds UK-registered charities (OSCR-registered) operating in Scotland or the specified East African countries. It prioritises organisations working with young people in Scotland, particularly through schools and community programmes, and those supporting smallholder farmers in East Africa. The Foundation develops strategic partnerships proactively and does not accept unsolicited applications. It seeks organisations that demonstrate partnership potential and a focus on its priority themes of youth, education, and poverty alleviation.
What Wood Foundation doesn't fund
The Wood Foundation does not fund core costs, short-term interventions, or work outside its priority geographies of Scotland, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, and its thematic areas of youth, education, poverty, and agriculture.
How they like to fund
The Foundation works by invitation, developing strategic partnerships proactively. It takes a hands-on, co-management approach, investing for long-term societal shifts. The Foundation often provides non-financial expertise and leadership alongside funding.
How much does Wood Foundation give?
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.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Wood Foundation
Wood 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
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Wood Foundation.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Wood Foundation could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Wood Foundation provide?
Wood Foundation typically provides grants from £3,000.
Where does Wood Foundation fund charities?
Wood Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Wood Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Wood Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Wood Foundation?
Wood Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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