Knaresborough Rotary Club Waugh Trust

The Knaresborough Rotary Club Waugh Trust, established in 2021 from a substantial legacy by local teacher Alan Waugh to the Rotary Club of Knaresborough, exists to honour his vision of enhancing the town of Knaresborough and, where fitting, the wider Harrogate district. Run entirely by volunteers with no trustee payments or subsidiaries, the trust emphasises social investment in tangible community outcomes through monthly trustee oversight, prioritising projects that improve public spaces, restore buildings, drive town regeneration, advance education, and address evolving needs like poverty relief and welfare across all ages. Its values centre on local service, regulatory compliance, and alignment with the benefactor's community-focused ethos, supporting both immediate grassroots initiatives and strategic developments.

The trust funds a broad spectrum of causes, including community assets (e.g., refurbishments, outdoor learning huts, forest park enhancements with solar panels and shelters), educational programmes (e.g., Spacebus, school dictionaries, youth theatre), cultural activities (e.g., choral society staging), and social welfare (e.g., community hubs, men's forums). It offers capital grants for equipment and buildings, revenue for projects, and occasional multi-year support, with recent examples spanning £1,134 for school schemes to £31,939 for major impacts.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, and academic institutions demonstrating clear benefits to Knaresborough (primary) or Harrogate district; smaller, grassroots organisations with modest incomes are favoured, though no strict thresholds apply. Grants typically range £1,000–£20,000 (most £5,000–£15,000). Unsolicited applications via email (waughtrust@hotmail.com) using a provided form are accepted on a rolling basis, reviewed at monthly meetings with decisions in 4–6 weeks; specific schemes may have deadlines like 31 May. Core funding is deprioritised unless tied to local outcomes, distinguishing this flexible, legacy-driven funder by its hyper-local scrutiny and openness to high-impact, volunteer-led projects.