Wates Family Enterprise Trust
The Wates Family Enterprise Trust is an independent charity set up by the Wates family, the owners of the Wates Group. Launched in 2008, the Trust is integral to the Wates family’s approach of being responsible business owners and its vision of being a force for good. The Trust’s mission is focused on building communities and improving lives beyond tomorrow. All the proposals for awards come from the Wates Family and Employees, as a result we are unable to accept unsolicited applications for funding.
Overview
Total reviews: 5
Median 5 hours
Latest Reviews
Apr 2, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
The funding team are very approachable and supportive during the grant application process. It's worth getting in touch with them at an early stage to develop the grant proposal.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Some of the questions in drop-down boxes and required information did not apply to us or our project, or were difficult to answer because of the nature of the project. The funding team helped us to complete the online application though.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Support and encourage their grantees beyond financial support.
Focusing on projects that help communities and nature/people and places
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Apr 4, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to review your experience of applying for funding to the WFET. It is always valuable to hear from a variety of organisations.
Mar 13, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
Keep an open dialogue with the funder to help with the process of the application. We found their insight and guidance invaluable for our application and they were always on hand to provide advice or insight.
Pros
Gives more than money
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Apr 4, 2025
We appreciate the time you have taken to review us as a funder. We take time to review all feedback which is important in developing our understanding of how well our processes work.
Mar 6, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
This is a funder who shares knowledge and encourages charities and organisations to join their network, they welcome you to workshops and exploration of the topics relevant to your project. They also support you during the application process and are happy to talk if your ideas are still at an early stage.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant currently pending
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
This funder encourages development of ideas and key themes within their area of interest. They want a movement to form and for lots of people to benefit from shared thinking and approaches.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Apr 4, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I am happy to hear this was a quick, supported and positive experience for you.
Mar 6, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
Wates Family Enterprise Trust have been a pleasure to deal with. They provided helpful and timely advice to help us shape our grant application. The process was relatively simple and the information required was sensible and proportionate to the size of the grant.
Pros
Friendly
Builds relationships
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Uses its convening power as a funder to bring people together across the sector.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Apr 4, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to review and share your experience of applying to the Trust. We note that you state it took a long time to complete all information required by us. This is not our intention and we will review these requirements.
Feb 25, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2024
I would recommend to approach the funder. We begun with an informal conversation about our organisation, the ways in which our work aligns with their aims. Since it's not an open application process, this initial relationship is important. Having established the basic suitability - the funder were extremely supportive in working with us to shape a viable project and application. The process, and the information required, due dilligence about the organisation, was pretty detailed - but again, we were well supported in getting that together.
Pros
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2024
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
The guidelines were easily understood and we had a clear and supportive contact from the throughout to clarify where necessary.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Working closely with and building a meaningful relationship with the organisations they fund.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Apr 4, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to review. It is always helpful for us to hear how our processes work. 40 hours is longer than we would have hoped it would have taken for you to apply and we will review this later in the year if it becomes a common experience.
Apr 2, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
The funding team are very approachable and supportive during the grant application process. It's worth getting in touch with them at an early stage to develop the grant proposal.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Some of the questions in drop-down boxes and required information did not apply to us or our project, or were difficult to answer because of the nature of the project. The funding team helped us to complete the online application though.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Support and encourage their grantees beyond financial support. Focusing on projects that help communities and nature/people and places
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Apr 4, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to review your experience of applying for funding to the WFET. It is always valuable to hear from a variety of organisations.
Mar 13, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
Keep an open dialogue with the funder to help with the process of the application. We found their insight and guidance invaluable for our application and they were always on hand to provide advice or insight.
Pros
Gives more than money
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Apr 4, 2025
We appreciate the time you have taken to review us as a funder. We take time to review all feedback which is important in developing our understanding of how well our processes work.
Mar 6, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
This is a funder who shares knowledge and encourages charities and organisations to join their network, they welcome you to workshops and exploration of the topics relevant to your project. They also support you during the application process and are happy to talk if your ideas are still at an early stage.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant currently pending
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
This funder encourages development of ideas and key themes within their area of interest. They want a movement to form and for lots of people to benefit from shared thinking and approaches.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Apr 4, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I am happy to hear this was a quick, supported and positive experience for you.
Mar 6, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
Wates Family Enterprise Trust have been a pleasure to deal with. They provided helpful and timely advice to help us shape our grant application. The process was relatively simple and the information required was sensible and proportionate to the size of the grant.
Pros
Friendly
Builds relationships
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Uses its convening power as a funder to bring people together across the sector.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Apr 4, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to review and share your experience of applying to the Trust. We note that you state it took a long time to complete all information required by us. This is not our intention and we will review these requirements.
Feb 25, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2024
I would recommend to approach the funder. We begun with an informal conversation about our organisation, the ways in which our work aligns with their aims. Since it's not an open application process, this initial relationship is important. Having established the basic suitability - the funder were extremely supportive in working with us to shape a viable project and application. The process, and the information required, due dilligence about the organisation, was pretty detailed - but again, we were well supported in getting that together.
Pros
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2024
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
The guidelines were easily understood and we had a clear and supportive contact from the throughout to clarify where necessary.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Working closely with and building a meaningful relationship with the organisations they fund.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Apr 4, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to review. It is always helpful for us to hear how our processes work. 40 hours is longer than we would have hoped it would have taken for you to apply and we will review this later in the year if it becomes a common experience.