The Thomas Wall Trust believes that communication skills are critical capabilities for people who want to improve their employment prospects, self-confidence, resilience, and life chances.
The Trust recognises that communication is underpinned by a set of key features and skills such as empathy, listening, emotional intelligence, confidence, and clarity, amongst others.
We are an inclusive charity, welcoming proposals which target people experiencing multiple deprivation or other groups demonstrably facing major hurdles to employment, especially; women, people with physical, mental, or learning disabilities and refugees.
The Trust offers grants up to £5,000 for specific projects rather than general organisational costs* that improves communication skills for disadvantaged adults and supports NEET people into employment. Beneficiaries must gain at least one accredited vocational qualification during delivery.
*Pro-rata staffing and operational costs will be considered where appropriate.
We will fund:
- A UK charity that has been registered with the Charity Commission for at least 3 years
- A project or running costs for a charity that equips disadvantaged people (aged 18 and over) with the necessary communication skills ready for employment
- Annual repeat funding for up to 3 years – subject to satisfactory annual reviews of progress and impact
- The charity’s annual turnover is between £25,000 and £500,000.
- Successful outcomes need to be evidenced – Impact reports can be emailed to the Grants Officer.
- Delivery must be based on an already proven successful model.
- The project is operating in partnership with other local organisations.
We prioritise:
- Match funded projects
- Self-sustainable projects, with a view to becoming less reliant on grants in the future
We do not fund:
- Organisations with political, lobbying or proselytizing objectives
- Capital costs (the purchase of land, buildings, construction)
- Charities that operate outside of the UK
- Subsidiaries, ‘off shoots’ or franchises of larger charities
- Hospitals
How to apply:
The application process is divided into two stages:
Stage one is to complete the Expression of Interest form where you will be asked to complete some basic contact details and a description of what you require funding for.
If successful, you will be invited to Stage two – Applicants will be asked to submit a Project Plan (including budget details) using the template (available to download from the website), latest set of audited financial accounts, and any relevant policies.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email. Please note that charities must wait for two years from the date of submission until they can reapply.
Grant award:
If successful, you will be notified in writing along with the terms and conditions of the grant and asked for your payment details.
Six months from the start of funding, and at the end of your first year, you will be asked to complete the monitoring column of your approved project plan (you may also submit any other alternative project report you may be producing). Any further funding will be dependent on evidence of impact.
Failure to keep the Trust up to date with any changes made during the grant period, or submitting monitoring information will prevent the charity from applying for future grants.
We are currently OPEN to new applications for our MARCH meeting.
The deadline for 1st stage applications is Monday 8th January 2024.
