Woodroffe Benton Foundation

The Woodroffe Benton Foundation is an independent UK grant-making charity established in 1988 by Alfred Woodroffe Benton and formalized in 1999 after merging with the S Wolfe Memorial Fund. Its mission is to enhance quality of life for people in need across the UK through relief of hardship, elderly and sick care, education and youth development (with Derbyshire emphasis), environmental conservation for public access, and promotion of human physical well-being. Core values center on inclusivity—projects must be open to all regardless of race or religion—and a cautious, trustee-driven approach favoring sustainable, equitable impact via core costs over restricted or capital funding.

It prioritizes charities addressing socioeconomic disadvantage, disaster relief, elderly accommodation, education for disadvantaged youth, accessible conservation, and disability support (e.g., severe physical/learning disabilities, social isolation). Proactive grants support physical well-being, while open rounds focus on published themes like disability projects. Beneficiaries include vulnerable communities UK-wide (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland).

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or academic institutions with at least two years' operation and one full set of accounts, preferably under £750,000 annual income; organizations must base in the UK. Exclusions include unregistered entities, those under two years old, and non-inclusive projects; no religious restrictions apply.

Biannual open rounds accept unsolicited online applications only (no documents needed), capped at 150 or deadline (next: 1-31 March 2026, theme TBA). Typical one-off grants: £500-£2,500 for core costs; larger/multi-year awards trustee-initiated. Reapply after 12 months; decisions post-trustee meetings (e.g., successful notified within two weeks).