# Weston Charity Awards 2025 open, with packages worth over £22k available - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/11/05/weston-charity-awards-2025-open-with-packages-worth-over-22k-available/ - Published: 2024-11-05T09:00:00+00:00 - Author: Melanie May **Applications have opened for the annual Weston Charity Awards with support packages worth over £22,000 each available for up to 22 front-line charities specialising in community, environment, welfare, or youth support. ** Registered charities in Wales, the North of England, and the Midlands are eligible to apply if they have delivered a service for over two years, have at least one paid full-time member of staff in a leadership position,and have an income of less than £5 million per year.  The [Weston Charity Awards](http://www.pilotlight.org.uk/weston-charity-awards) are a collaboration between the Garfield Weston Foundation and charity partner Pilotlight. Award winners receive a package of support that includes unrestricted grants of £6,500 to help develop a sustainability plan and accelerate growth, and free access to the Pilotlight 360 programme, which is an eight-month package of charity leadership coaching worth an estimated £16,000. Leadership mentoring is delivered by four senior experts across private and public sector organisations on varied topics, including income diversification, developing new business models, long-term strategies, finding operational efficiencies, and volunteer recruitment that give charities enhanced skills to succeed. ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) Flora Craig, Interim Director at the Garfield Weston Foundation, said:  > “We know that charities are under pressure to deliver their great work – they > face increased costs, a high demand for their services and a competitive environment. > The Weston Charity Awards programme is a great opportunity for charities to take > stock, work with experienced experts, and develop plans for a resilient future.” Since launching in 2014, more than 150 charities have received Weston Charity Awards. According to the most recent impact report, six months after participating in Pilotlight 360, 100% of charity leaders said it positively impacted the effectiveness of their senior management team, and two years after completing, charities increased their income on average by 43%. Pilotlight CEO Ed Mayo added:  > “Research shows that the largest barriers small charities face is income generation > and management skills gaps. There is a significant shortage of people with the > right capabilities to adapt to a challenging and changing fundraising landscape. >   > “Thanks to our partnership with the Garfield Weston Foundation, these Awards provide > financial support while also helping small charities to overcome common stumbling > blocks, from digital transformation and improved data analysis to operational > sustainability and partner collaboration.” #### 2024’s winners This year’s Weston Charity Award winners included [Murray Hall Community Trust](https://www.murrayhall.co.uk/) in Sandwell and the Black Country (a charity focused on community cohesion and social capital), [RAY Ceredigion](https://rayceredigion.org.uk/) in rural West Wales (supporting health and wellbeing for all ages and abilities), [Pallion Action Group (PAG)](https://pallionactiongroup.co.uk/) in Sunderland (addressing a lack of services and projects for local residents) and [Youth Leads UK](https://youthleads.uk/) in Salford (empowering young people to fulfil their potential and take an active role in society). [Meanwood Valley Urban Farm](https://www.mvuf.org.uk/) in Leeds also received an Award.  Established in 1958, the Garfield Weston Foundation last year awarded over £100 million to nearly 2,000 charities across the UK. Since it was established, it has donated over £1.5 billion, of which over half has been given away in the past ten years.  #### Deadline, & Zoom sessions The Weston Charity Awards application deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 8 January 2025. There are a number of free Zoom information sessions on how to apply and top tips for entries running from 11am – 12 noon on the following dates: * Wednesday 6 November – Weston Charity Awards: [Everything You Need to Know](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weston-charity-awards-everything-you-need-to-know-tickets-1053181607539?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1) * Monday 18 November – Weston Charity Awards: [Insights and What to Expect (for Welsh charities)](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weston-charity-awards-insights-and-what-to-expect-tickets-1049412740757?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1) * Monday 2 December – Weston Charity Awards: [Meet the Funder (for Leeds charities).](https://doinggoodleeds.org.uk/training-course/meet-the-funder-weston-charity-awards/) * Monday 16 December – Weston Charity Awards: [Maximising Your Application](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weston-charity-awards-maximising-your-application-tickets-1049403091897?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1) * Monday 6 January – Weston Charity Awards: [Your Questions Answered](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weston-charity-awards-your-questions-answered-tickets-1053173352849?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1) * **[The Caring Family Foundation commits extra £225k to support domestic abuse organisations in the UK](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/11/26/the-caring-family-foundation-commits-extra-225k-to-support-domestic-abuse-organisations-in-the-uk/)**( 26 November 2024) * **[Amazon Literary Partnership grants now open, plus more funding news & opportunities](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/11/28/amazon-literary-partnership-grants-now-open-plus-more-funding-news-opportunities/)**( 28 November 2024) * **[New guidance aims to improve how funders monitor grants & evaluate projects](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/12/06/new-guidance-aims-to-improve-how-funders-monitor-grants-evaluate-projects/)**( 6 December 2024)