# Dress It Forward

- Type: Trust / foundation
- Charity number: 1189810 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1189810)
- Website: https://www.dressitforward.net
- Latest income: £6,319; spending £9,309
- What it funds: Disability, Prevention or relief of poverty
- Who it helps: Children / young people, Other charities or voluntary bodies
- How it gives: Makes grants to organisations, Other charitable activities
- Area of operation: Throughout England, South Africa
- Trustees: 4
- Last verified: 2026-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Canonical URL: https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/dress-it-forward

The charity sources and collects donations of second-hand, formal clothing (especially prom dresses and suits) from within the UK. Using partner organisations it then distributes this clothing to disadvantaged and impoverished individuals living in South Africa, allowing these individuals to attend their high school graduation ceremonies and so inspiring the next generation of pupils.

## Open and forthcoming schemes (0)

None in OpenGrant's sources right now.

## Finances by year (Charity Commission)

| Year ending | Income | Spending | Grants to organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Apr 2025 | £6,319 | £9,309 | not filed |
| 5 Apr 2024 | £9,028 | £9,405 | not filed |
| 5 Apr 2023 | £8,229 | £84 | not filed |
| 5 Apr 2022 | £0 | £70 | not filed |
| 5 Apr 2021 | £199 | £0 | not filed |

## Charitable objects

> The relief of financial hardship among disadvantaged and impoverished individuals living in South Africa by providing such persons with formal clothing (including but not limited to outfits for graduation celebrations or job interviews) which they could not otherwise afford.the prevention or alleviation of poverty either generally or individually, of people living in South Africa, by providing: grants and services to charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.

## What it funds

Dress It Forward is registered under the Charity Commission purposes disability and prevention or relief of poverty for children / young people and other charities or voluntary bodies; the register records that it makes grants to organisations. In its latest reported year Dress It Forward reported income of £6,319 and spending of £9,309. Over its last 5 reported years, to 5 Apr 2025, it spent £18.9k in total.

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as England and South Africa.

## How to apply

OpenGrant has not found an open scheme from Dress It Forward in its sources (last checked 4 Nov 2026). Its website (dressitforward.net) may list programmes that are not yet open or are by invitation only. OpenGrant does not take applications; always check the funder's own guidance.

## Questions

### Is Dress It Forward open for applications now?

Not in OpenGrant's sources as of 4 Nov 2026: no open or forthcoming scheme from Dress It Forward is listed. Check the funder's website for programmes that are not yet open or that it does not advertise.

### Where does Dress It Forward fund?

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as England and South Africa.

### Does Dress It Forward give grants to individuals?

The Charity Commission register records that Dress It Forward makes grants to organisations, not that it makes grants to individuals.

### How much does Dress It Forward give each year?

The register does not break out Dress It Forward's grants for its latest year (only charities with income over £500,000 file that detail). Its total spending in the year to 5 Apr 2025 was £9,309. Over its last 5 reported years its spending averaged £3,774 a year.

### How large is Dress It Forward?

In its latest reported year Dress It Forward reported income of £6,319 and spending of £9,309.


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## Guides

- [Grants for charities in London: boroughs, City funders and what closes soon](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/grants-for-charities-in-london)
- [Grants for community groups in South West England: the foundations, funds and dates](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/grants-for-community-groups-in-south-west-england)
- [Grants in Greater Manchester and the North West: who funds what and what is open](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/grants-in-greater-manchester-and-the-north-west)