# Weston Charity Awards offer support and funding to up to 22 charities - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2025/11/19/weston-charity-awards-offer-support-and-funding-to-up-to-22-charities/ - Published: 2025-11-19T15:53:52+00:00 - Author: Howard Lake **Weston Charity Awards are again offering more than £22,000 in support and funding to individual ambitious charities across the North of England, the Midlands, and Wales.** The grants provide “transformational support packages” worth over £22,000 each. Up to 22 **charities working in community, environment, welfare, or youth sectors** will be selected for the [**2026 Weston Charity Awards**](https://www.pilotlight.org.uk/weston-charity-awards). They will receive a programme of support, designed to help organisations strengthen their leadership, plan for sustainable growth, and build long-term resilience. ## Advertisement The awards are delivered through a partnership between the Garfield Weston Foundation and charity partner Pilotlight. Each winner receives **£6,500** in unrestricted funding, plus access to Pilotlight 360 – a year-long programme of strategic mentoring and leadership development valued at **around £16,000**. Each front-line charity is allocated a team of senior business professionals, who provide tailored coaching on topics such as income diversification, business planning, long-term strategy, volunteer recruitment, and operational efficiency. This expert guidance helps small charities gain the skills and capacity to thrive in an increasingly challenging environment. ## Eligibility Eligible registered charities include those that 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.  Clare Gough, Director at the Garfield Weston Foundation, said:  > “Charities are under more pressure than ever, with rising costs, funding competition, > and growing need. The Weston Charity Awards use a unique combination of expert > mentoring and funding to help build an achievable plan for sustainable growth > that gets charities future-ready. Winners can then concentrate on what matters > most, delivering impact within their community.” ## Funding since 2014 Since [launching in 2014](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/01/29/weston-charity-awards-benefit-charities-ne-england/), over 200 charities have received Weston Charity Awards. A recent independent evaluation report analysing the 10-year impact of the programme revealed that almost all leaders reported that their charity is **more operationally fit after winning** (96%), with four out of five stating that the **improvements are still felt to this day** (83%). Winners also reported having more effective senior leadership (98%) as well as a clearer organisational purpose (91%). Pilotlight CEO, Lisa Pearce, explained that the Weston Charity Awards are about unlocking potential not just through funding. She said:  > “Charities are doing extraordinary work under huge pressure, and this programme > gives them the space, skills and confidence to plan for the future. It’s a real > privilege to see how collaboration between charity leaders and business experts > helps to strengthen the sector from within.” ## Carers Trust Heart of England’s experience of the support A previous winner, the [Carers Trust Heart of England,](https://www.pilotlight.org.uk/charities/carers-trust-heart-england) supports unpaid carers of all ages across Coventry and Warwickshire, providing care in the community for people with support needs.  CEO Claire Dale said the awards “acted as a driver […and ] personally, it’s been really helpful. I’ve found the dialogue helpful, but it’s been critical when needed. It has provided objectivity around what’s going on.” **The [Weston Charity Awards application](http://www.pilotlight.org.uk/weston-charity-awards) deadline is 5pm on Friday 9 January 2026. **[ Charities can also attend a [free Zoom session](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/pilotlight-30202886552) where they can find out more about the benefits and get top tips on crafting a standout application. It takes place on: * 20 November from 1pm – 2pm * 4 December, 1pm – 2pm 1 * 6 December, 1pm – 2pm  * **[Weston Charity Awards expand to benefit Midlands charities](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/11/24/weston-charity-awards-expand-to-benefit-midlands-charities/)( 24 November 2015)**