Wales charities to benefit from £25m dormant charitable trust funding

More than 200 charities in Wales are set to share £25m in dormant charitable trust funding.

The Revitalising Trusts Programme is being run by the Charity Commission and Community Foundation Wales with funding from the Welsh government.

Under the plans money lying idle in dormant charitable trust accounts will be released for good causes.

Trust bank accounts being targeted include those that have been inactive (no income or expenditure in the last five years) or ineffective (spending less than 30% of their income over the same period).

Funding will be redeployed in line with the aims of the dormant charity contacted or transferred to Community Foundation Wales, to spend on local charities in need and to ensure their long term viability.

The English version of the funding has seen more than £32m distributed to more than 1,800 charities.

“I’m very pleased that we’re rolling out this successful programme to support charities and the communities that they work with across Wales,” said Charity Commission chief executive Helen Stephenson.

“We have so far exceeded our initial targets and released over £32m to aid charities in England and now, with funding from the Welsh Government, we want to deliver similar success for charities in Wales – especially during this time of heightened need.

“The Charity Commission is therefore calling on the trustees of charities in Wales, who may be eligible for the scheme, to come forward either for assistance to get up and running again or so that funds currently lying idle in accounts can be transferred to best help active charities and those they benefit in Wales.”

Community Foundation Wales chief executive Richard Williams added: “The grants that will be generated by the Revitalising Trusts Programme will be a lifeline to grassroots charities as they strive to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic whilst continuing to support communities across Wales.”

Charities falling within the programme’s criteria and seeking support in helping to get their charity operating again can contact the Revitalising Trusts Programme at: CSrevitalisingtrusts@charitycommission.gov.uk