Wellbank Foundation

The Wellbank Foundation is a small, family-run grant-making charity established in 2020 by the Robson family, with trustees from the family guiding its operations. Rooted in North East England, its core mission is to support registered charities tackling structural disadvantage for vulnerable individuals facing financial, health, or other hardships, emphasizing social inclusion, community betterment, and empowering people to reach their full potential through practical, impact-driven interventions.

It prioritizes projects delivering educational, sporting, or environmental benefits to disadvantaged communities, such as children's education initiatives, youth sports participation, environmental conservation efforts, women's employment programs, and broader social inclusion for those with health challenges or barriers to opportunity. Funding covers project costs, core costs, and occasionally capital items that demonstrably improve outcomes for residents in target areas, with a focus on smaller, locally focused charities showing clear, tangible impact.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities with annual turnover under £1 million, operating exclusively in Northumberland or Tyne & Wear—specifically Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, and Sunderland. Applications are welcomed unsolicited via email with a completed form from the website (one per year per charity); they are reviewed on a rolling basis at quarterly trustee meetings in March, June, September, and December, with decisions typically in 1–3 months.

Grants range from £500 to £25,000. Exclusions include individuals, large charities over £1 million turnover, and projects outside the geography or priorities. Distinctive for its responsive, place-based approach, family governance, flexibility for urgent needs, and commitment to enduring grantee partnerships with long-term impact tracking, it stands out as a pragmatic partner for local change-makers.