The Andrew Wainwright Reform Trust

Grants of between £1,500 and £10,000 are available to UK organisations and (occasionally) individuals who do not qualify for charitable funding because they may be viewed as too radical or political. The Trust supports campaigns to create a more just and democratic society and to redress political and social injustices.

Following a pause to the end of November 2024 to allow for the appointment of a new administrator, the Andrew Wainwright Reform Trust has reopened to applications with a deadline of mid-January 2025. The objectives of this family-based Trust are to work for a just and democratic society and to redress political and social injustices. Although the Trust has a wide-ranging remit for reform, it will prioritise organisations that are ineligible for charitable funding because they are considered too political or radical to come within the Charity Commission’s guidelines. The Trust’s approach is similar to that of the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, with which it maintains informal links. The Trust also has close ties to the Scurrah Wainwright Charity.

The Andrew Wainwright ReformTrust will support work undertaken at both regional and national level and may also consider pioneering projects operating on a more local basis that have a potentially wider impact.

The Trust normally gives grants only to groups or organisations, but in very exceptional cases it may consider an application from an individual with proven experience or skill in their chosen field, or it may make a personal award to an individual in support of outstanding commitment and effectiveness relevant to the Trust’s interests.

As a general rule, the Trust provides either specific project funding or start up grants for a limited period to enable campaigns to get off the ground and attract alternative sources of finance.