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: 8
Median 7 hours
Latest Reviews
Dec 8, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
I would advise such a colleague that Wates Family Enterprise Trust is an excellent funder and that they can expect helpful and pro-active advice and support throughout the process.
Pros
Gives more than money
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
I was struck by how pro-actively helpful Wates were during the application process. Too many funders send you the application form which you complete and submit and then find out whether you were successful or not. Wates were much more involved throughout. There was a sense of almost working together to get the best bid which would lead to the best use of the grant money which, of course, is what both parties ultimately want. This approach makes sense and I wish more funders would adopt it.
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
Their pro-active advice and support throughout.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Share their approach with other funders who - I feel - would benefit from it
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
No, nothing more to add.
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Feb 17, 2026
Thank you very much for the time you have taken to write a review on Wates Family Enterprise Trust. It is important to us that we are able to review how well we meet and serve organisations through the funding process.
Nov 27, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
Applying for this grant was a change to your standard grants scheme - the funders were really supportive and keen to make sure we had everything we needed. Keep talking to your adviser, sharing your ideas and asking questions. Consider how your project will have a wider impact and how you will share lessons and best practice.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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
Communication has been excellent throughout the process.
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
Feb 17, 2026
Thank you for your words of advice to others. We appreciate your taking time to submit a review on your experience of this funding process.
May 9, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
Engage fully with all of the resources they provide.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Builds relationships
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
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
Feb 17, 2026
Thank you for taking the time to post a review. I am glad you found the resources and support offered by staff useful in your application.
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
Feb 17, 2026
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
Feb 17, 2026
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.
Dec 8, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
I would advise such a colleague that Wates Family Enterprise Trust is an excellent funder and that they can expect helpful and pro-active advice and support throughout the process.
Pros
Gives more than money
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
I was struck by how pro-actively helpful Wates were during the application process. Too many funders send you the application form which you complete and submit and then find out whether you were successful or not. Wates were much more involved throughout. There was a sense of almost working together to get the best bid which would lead to the best use of the grant money which, of course, is what both parties ultimately want. This approach makes sense and I wish more funders would adopt it.
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
Their pro-active advice and support throughout.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Share their approach with other funders who - I feel - would benefit from it
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
No, nothing more to add.
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Feb 17, 2026
Thank you very much for the time you have taken to write a review on Wates Family Enterprise Trust. It is important to us that we are able to review how well we meet and serve organisations through the funding process.
Nov 27, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
Applying for this grant was a change to your standard grants scheme - the funders were really supportive and keen to make sure we had everything we needed. Keep talking to your adviser, sharing your ideas and asking questions. Consider how your project will have a wider impact and how you will share lessons and best practice.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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
Communication has been excellent throughout the process.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Feb 17, 2026
Thank you for your words of advice to others. We appreciate your taking time to submit a review on your experience of this funding process.
May 9, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2025
Engage fully with all of the resources they provide.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Builds relationships
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
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Felicity Mallam
Feb 17, 2026
Thank you for taking the time to post a review. I am glad you found the resources and support offered by staff useful in your application.
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
Feb 17, 2026
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
Feb 17, 2026
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.