This Trust was created primarily to support humanitarian causes operating locally, nationally and internationally and primarily looks to fund projects, rather than core costs.

The Trust offers small grants of £3,000 to £5,000 to help fund humanitarian grassroots projects and activities.

As well as sharing the Trust’s vision, funded projects are usually relatively simple and develop the capacity of individuals, their communities or their institutions, helping them to help themselves.

They may also enhance learning and beneficiaries may be actively involved in the management and running of projects.

Priority is given to smaller charities (annual turnover of less than £1million) where the level of grant is comparatively significant.

Previous areas of work that have been supported by grants have included:

• charities addressing social, physical, or educational re-habilitation
• charities offering information, support, relief or equipment for illness or disability
• charities supporting isolated, vulnerable, at risk or disadvantaged people
• charities supporting victims of torture or human rights abuses
• charities helping to support carers
• holidays for disadvantaged children
• youth clubs, especially in disadvantaged areas
• women’s refuges
• homeless shelters.

Applications should be made via the online form on the Trust’s website.

The board of trustees meet twice a year in Spring (May/June) and Autumn (October/November) to consider applications.

The closing dates to apply for each of the above meetings are the end of February and the end of August respectively.

Successful applicants will be confirmed by the end of June for the Spring awards and by the end of November for the Autumn awards.

For full details and to apply, visit the Ashworth Charitable Trust website.