About
The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity that awards grants to support and promote excellence in the United Kingdom. The Foundation focuses on four main areas: education, science & medicine, heritage, humanities & the arts, and health & disability. It provides funding for capital infrastructure initiatives including buildings and equipment, as well as funding programs for individuals. The Foundation has supported numerous institutions across the UK, including museums, universities, and heritage sites.
Funding Opportunities
Funding for Universities and Research Institutions
The Wolfson Foundation provides funding for research-intensive universities and research institutions in the UK. The programme awards grants towards new buildings, refurbishment work and major equipment to enable high-quality research. Grants are also sometimes awarded to improve access and research libraries or to improve public engagement with science. Projects related to research infrastructure should aim to expand high-quality research into new fields, increase output from existing research, improve the quality of research, or produce work with clear impact benefitting either the academic community or the public. Applications must be coordinated by the university Development Office to ensure the project is a strategic, institutional priority. The programme operates through a two-stage application process with funding decisions made twice annually in June and December.
Funding for secondary schools and sixth form colleges
The Wolfson Foundation supports high-achieving state-funded secondary schools and sixth form colleges in the UK to improve the teaching at GCSE and A-Level of subjects that need specialist spaces and equipment. The Foundation awards grants towards capital projects that help schools to create and improve these facilities. Projects must cost at least £25,000 and be focused on new build, refurbishment work or technical equipment for teaching subjects including science, computer science, design & technology, art, languages, music and performing arts. Schools and colleges must be state funded, have at least two years of exam results available, and have been inspected with an overall outcome of 'Good' or above. The programme aims to improve the quality of teaching and learning spaces, increase numbers of students taking specialist subjects, and improve learning outcomes for students.
Funding for public engagement with science organisations
The Wolfson Foundation supports organisations with significant scientific or natural history collections to improve public engagement with science through projects related to the history of science. The programme provides capital grants generally towards refurbishing or creating new galleries and, occasionally, to education and learning spaces. Eligible organisations must be operated by a registered charity or local authority, display scientific or natural history collections of national significance, and be fully accredited under the Museum Accreditation Scheme if applicable. Projects should aim to increase visitor numbers and engage new audiences, improve educational experience and understanding of science, or improve the future sustainability of the organisation. The programme operates through a two-stage application process with funding decisions made twice annually in June and December.
Funding for Performing Arts Organisations
The Wolfson Foundation provides funding for performing arts organisations to improve their training and education facilities in the UK. The programme generally awards grants towards the building or refurbishment of these facilities, and occasionally towards the purchase of related specialist equipment. Eligible organisations must be registered charities or local authorities focused on professional performance with significant education work within the sector. Projects should be focused on improving the quality of training and education facilities and represent a strategic priority for the organisation. Additional aims can include better engagement with audiences, increased numbers of participants, improved future sustainability, or conservation of architectural heritage. The programme uses a two-stage application process with funding decisions made twice annually in June and December.
Funding for museums & galleries
The Wolfson Foundation provides funding for museums and galleries to improve the display and interpretation of nationally significant collections for the public. The Foundation generally awards grants towards refurbishing or creating new galleries and, occasionally to education and learning spaces. Applicant museums or galleries should be operated by a registered charity or a local authority, be fully accredited under the Museum Accreditation Scheme, and hold a permanent collection of national significance. Projects should aim to achieve excellent interpretation of permanent collections of national significance, better public engagement with and understanding of collections, increased numbers of visitors to museums and galleries, improved future sustainability of the organisation, or conservation of architectural heritage. The Foundation runs a two-stage application process with funding rounds twice annually, making decisions in June and December. Grants typically range from £50,000 to £500,000, with a minimum grant amount of £15,000. Match funding is required if project cost exceeds £50,000.
Funding for hospices and palliative care organisations
The Wolfson Foundation provides funding for hospices and palliative care organisations to support places which provide excellent care to patients and their families. This programme awards grants towards new buildings, refurbishment work and equipment for registered charities or hospices operating within the NHS. Projects must include capital costs of at least £50,000 and have a shortfall in capital funding of at least £25,000. The funding aims to increase access to services for new and existing users, improve quality and range of services, and enhance future sustainability of the organisation. The Foundation runs a two-stage application process with funding decisions made twice annually in June and December.
Funding for Historic Buildings & Landscapes
The Wolfson Foundation supports organisations managing sites of outstanding historic, architectural and cultural significance with a clear emphasis on public access and engagement. The programme awards grants towards conservation and restoration work, interpretation, and education spaces at historic buildings, landscapes, parks and gardens. Eligible sites must be operated by a registered charity or local authority, be open and accessible to the public for the majority of the year, and be listed as Grade I, II* or a Scheduled Monument (England and Wales), Category A, B or a Scheduled Monument (Scotland), or Grade A, B+ or a Scheduled Monument (Northern Ireland). Projects should involve restoration or conservation work to the historic fabric of the building and/or excellent interpretation of historic buildings, landscapes and collections, with aims to increase visitor numbers, improve public engagement with sites of historical and cultural significance, and improve future sustainability of the organisation. The Foundation operates a two-stage application process with funding decisions made twice annually in June and December.
Funding for charities working with older people
The Wolfson Foundation supports organisations which provide care and services for older people, particularly if they have a neurodegenerative condition or are isolated. This funding programme awards grants towards capital costs including new buildings, refurbishment work and equipment. The programme is part of the Foundation's Health & Disability funding stream and aims to increase access to services, improve quality and range of services, and improve future sustainability of organisations. Projects must include capital costs of at least £50,000 with a shortfall in capital funding of at least £25,000. Eligible organisations include registered charities and local authorities that have at least a 'Good' rating from regulators such as CQC where applicable. The Foundation operates a two-stage application process with funding decisions made twice annually in June and December.
Funding for Charities Working in Mental Health
The Wolfson Foundation provides funding for charities working in mental health, with grants awarded towards capital projects. The program emphasizes projects which focus on training, employment and supported housing for people with mental health challenges. Projects must involve capital costs of at least £50,000 and have a shortfall in capital funding of at least £25,000. The Foundation seeks to support projects that increase access to services for new and existing users, improve the quality and range of services, or enhance the future sustainability of the organization. Eligible applicants include registered charities and local authorities that have at least a 'Good' rating from regulators such as CQC or Ofsted. The funding supports new buildings, refurbishment work, and equipment purchases.
Funding for Charities Working with Disability
The Wolfson Foundation supports organisations working with disability through capital grants that help people live more independently. The programme awards funding for capital projects with a particular focus on training, employment, and supported housing, especially projects that help young people transition from children's services to adults' services. The Foundation is especially interested in hearing from organisations who, because of the nature of their work, may struggle to raise funds from the public. Projects should be for new buildings, refurbishment work or equipment with capital costs of at least £50,000 and a funding shortfall of at least £25,000. Applications must address at least one of the following aims: increased access to services for new and existing users, improved quality and range of services, or improved future sustainability of the organisation.
Funding for Libraries and Archives
The Wolfson Foundation supports libraries and archives caring for nationally significant collections with a clear emphasis on public access and engagement. The foundation awards grants for collection storage facilities and research, education or interpretation spaces. Eligible libraries or archives must be operated by a registered charity or local authority, be fully accredited under the Archive Service Accreditation Scheme, be open and accessible to the public for most of the year, and hold a permanent collection of national significance. Projects should aim to enhance care of collections, improve public engagement, increase visitor numbers, improve organizational sustainability, or conserve architectural heritage. The foundation operates a two-stage application process with two funding rounds annually, with decisions made in June and December.
At a Glance
- Total Funding Opportunities
- 11
- Active Now
- 11
- Source Domain
- wolfson.org.uk
Catalog Data
This funder profile was automatically extracted from grant listings. Information may be incomplete.
Visit official website