# The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust

- Type: Trust / foundation
- Charity number: 1163442 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1163442)
- Latest income: £23k; spending £23.8k
- What it funds: Education / training, Health / saving of lives, Disability, Prevention or relief of poverty, Arts / culture / heritage / science
- Who it helps: Children / young people, Older people, Other charities or voluntary bodies, The general public
- How it gives: Makes grants to organisations
- Area of operation: Throughout England and Wales
- Trustees: 2
- Last verified: 2026-11-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Canonical URL: https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/shirley-and-ian-watson-charitable-trust

The objective is to make donations to charities whose objects are(a) Relief of those in need by reason of youth, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage(b) Prevention or relief of poverty(c) Advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science.The Trustees identify charities (preference being given to smaller ones) and decide annually which shall be supported.

## Open and forthcoming schemes (0)

None in OpenGrant's sources right now.

## Finances by year (Charity Commission)

| Year ending | Income | Spending | Grants to organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 2025 | £23k | £23.8k | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2024 | £23.2k | £25.5k | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2023 | £22.4k | £19.8k | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2022 | £17k | £14.8k | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2021 | £13.1k | £14.4k | not filed |

## Charitable objects

> The trustees shall hold the capital and income of the trust fund upon trust to apply the income, and all or such part or parts of the capital, at such time or times and in such manner as the trustees may in their discretion think fit in making donations for the public benefit worldwide to existing charities whose charitable objects are principally:-- the relief of those in need by reason of youth, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage- the prevention or relief of poverty- the advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or scienceand "charitable" shall mean charitable according to the law of England.

## What it funds

The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust is registered under the Charity Commission purposes education / training, health / saving of lives, disability, prevention or relief of poverty and arts / culture / heritage / science for children / young people, older people and other charities or voluntary bodies; the register records that it makes grants to organisations. In its latest reported year The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust reported income of £23k and spending of £23.8k. Over its last 5 reported years, to 31 Mar 2025, it spent £98.2k in total.

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

## How to apply

OpenGrant has not found an open scheme from The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust in its sources (last checked 5 Nov 2026). It may fund by invitation only, or through programmes that OpenGrant's sources do not cover. OpenGrant does not take applications; always check the funder's own guidance.

## Questions

### Is The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust open for applications now?

Not in OpenGrant's sources as of 5 Nov 2026: no open or forthcoming scheme from The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust is listed. Check the funder's website for programmes that are not yet open or that it does not advertise.

### Where does The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust fund?

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

### Does The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust give grants to individuals?

The Charity Commission register records that The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust makes grants to organisations, not that it makes grants to individuals.

### How much does The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust give each year?

The register does not break out The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust's grants for its latest year (only charities with income over £500,000 file that detail). Its total spending in the year to 31 Mar 2025 was £23.8k. Over its last 5 reported years its spending averaged £19.6k a year.

### How large is The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust?

In its latest reported year The Shirley and Ian Watson Charitable Trust reported income of £23k and spending of £23.8k.


## Similar funders

- [Rothschild Foundation](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/rothschild-foundation) – 3 open schemes
- [The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/triangle-trust-1949-fund) – 1 open scheme
- [Pears Foundation](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/pears-foundation)
- [The Veterans' Foundation](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/veterans-foundation)
- [The Leathersellers' Foundation](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/leathersellers-foundation)
- [Forever Manchester](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/forever-manchester)

## Guides

- [Arts and heritage grants in Scotland: what is open now and who funds it](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/arts-and-heritage-grants-in-scotland)
- [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)