Provides grants to organisations supporting disadvantaged families with young children up to age 11, and organisations that work directly with children of the same age group (0-11 years). At least 75% of your organisation’s work must align with this focus. The next general grant round is expected to open later in 2026.
WCT will prioritise funding organisations who are working in one or more of the following areas:
Grants of up to £10,000 per year for core costs are available for a maximum of three years, or for three years in a five-year period, before a two-year break will apply.
The Trustees make two types of grants:
Application grants – Up to £10,000 per year for a maximum of three years, or for three years in a five-year period, before a two-year break will apply.
The Trustees prioritise small-scale, locally based initiatives. Trustees review grant applications once a year, usually in October or November depending on the volume received. Please consult the diary page for up-to-date deadlines for receipt of applications.
Additional grants – At the Trustees’ discretion, they will make a few grants to organisations outside of the new focus area. These are usually to charities already known to the Trustees and applications are not accepted for these grants.
In addition to the general grants programme, one off grants of c.£500-£2,000 per year are made to organisations who run playschemes for children during the summer holidays.
Applications for these are made separately and considered in May each year, with grants only given to organisations whose annual income is under £100,000.
For more information, please see Children’s Summer Playscheme Guidelines. Organisations may apply for a Summer Playscheme grant in addition to a core cost grant.