The Whitwam Family Charitable Foundation is a small grant making charity principally for the benefit of registered charities operating in the City of York, and surrounding areas.

We prefer to make grants to small charities operating in the area, but do consider applications from larger national charities where they can demonstrate a specific localised benefit.

See our latest grant awards here

Recent Grant Awards

Chocolate and Co

The Trustees are please to report a further grant award to Cholate and Co Chocolate & Co is a York-based charity that runs a café in The Groves as a vehicle for social change. They provide structured training and employment opportunities — including a 120-hour voluntary programme and paid café work — to people living with addiction or on the margins of society, helping them rebuild confidence, gain qualifications, and move into sustainable employment.

2 days ago

The Island, York

The Trustees are pleased to report a further grant award to The Island The Island is a York-based charity that provides one-to-one mentoring and group programmes for children and young people aged 8–18. Through consistent relationships with trained volunteer mentors, they help young people build confidence, emotional resilience, and life skills — with the aim of improving wellbeing, school engagement, and future prospects. They also work alongside parents and carers as part o

2 days ago

Age UK, York. Keep your Pet

The Trustees are pleased to report a grant award to Age UK. Age UK York's Keep Your Pet service provides free, short-term practical support to help older and vulnerable people care for their pets during difficult times. Delivered by vetted and trained volunteers, it covers dog walking, home visits to feed animals, vet trips, short-term fostering, and collecting pet food or medication.

2 days ago

Door 84, York

The Trustees are pleased to report a further grant award to Door 84. Door 84 is a York-based youth and community centre running weekly sessions for young people aged 8–17, adults with disabilities (through their Sparks programme), and the wider community. They also operate a community café, food bank, and practical skills courses such as cooking, providing inclusive spaces for those who are isolated, unemployed, or have additional support needs.

2 days ago

Survive

The Trustees are pleased to report a grant award to Survive (Support for Survivors of Rape and Sexual Abuse). The grant will be used to support the charity’s frontline, trauma-informed services for adult survivors of sexual violence across York and North Yorkshire, including specialist counselling, advocacy and therapeutic support. The funding will help ensure that survivors can continue to access confidential, professional assistance that promotes recovery, reduces isolation

Dec 11, 2025

York & Scarborough Teaching Hospital

The Trustees are pleased to report a grant award to York & Scarborough Teaching Hospital. The grant will support the hospital’s Arts Programme, enabling the continued use of music and creative activity within clinical settings to enhance patient experience, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote emotional wellbeing for patients, staff and visitors. In particular, the funding will help to deliver live music and arts-based interventions that contribute to a calmer and more ther

Dec 11, 2025

Gateway York

The Trustees are pleased to report a grant award to Gateway York. Gateway (York) CIO supports people in York facing homelessness, poverty and isolation. Based at the Gateway Centre on Front Street, Acomb, the charity’s Atrium Project provides a warm, welcoming café-style space where anyone can come for food, friendship and support. The Atrium hosts regular drop-ins, creative activities and skills sessions that help rebuild confidence and community connections. The grant will

Oct 4, 2025