Yapp Charitable Trust

The Yapp Charitable Trust, an independent grant-maker established in 1999, sustains and strengthens small registered charities in England and Wales that support disadvantaged or excluded groups. Governed by six trustees, its mission focuses on addressing core funding gaps for grassroots organizations with annual expenditure under £40,000, prioritizing running costs and salaries over project-based aid. Rooted in values of organizational stability, volunteer ethos, self-sustainability, and backing underfunded causes in high-deprivation areas, it champions long-established charities delivering direct, ongoing services to marginalized communities.

It funds five thematic priorities: elderly people; children and young people aged 5–25; those with physical impairments, learning difficulties, or mental health challenges; social welfare for overcoming non-medical issues like addiction, abuse, offending, or relationship breakdowns; and education/learning for the educationally disadvantaged. Support targets established activities running for at least a year, exemplified by grants to groups like Age Concern South Brent for rural elderly support or Kairos Women Working Together for women facing life-controlling issues.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities physically based in England or Wales, operating for at least three years (or with a constituted committee for three years if newly registered), delivering work nationwide within these countries. Applications are unsolicited via an online portal on a rolling basis, considered at three annual ad hoc trustee meetings, with decisions up to five months; pre-enquiries welcome. Typical grants are up to £3,000 per year for up to three years (max £9,000 total).

Distinctive for its exclusive core costs focus, Yapp excludes new projects, capital items, one-off activities, larger charities, or non-thematic work, differentiating it through unwavering support for small-scale, community-rooted stability amid sector-wide neglect of day-to-day essentials.