WHSmith donates proceeds from the compulsory carrier bag levies to charitable causes. Some of the funds are donated to the Woodland Trust to support its tree-planting programme for schools. Other funding is donated to the WHSmith Group Charitable Trust for distribution as Community Grants.
Who can apply for a grant?
The following community groups may apply for WHSmith Community Grants:
- Registered or Exempt Charities
- Voluntary/Community Groups (constituted)
- Schools and pre-schools
The following types of beneficiary fall outside our criteria for support:
- Party political organisations
- Religious organisations
- Military organisations
- Individuals
- Expeditions or overseas travel
How can you apply?
You can apply for a community grant by entering your details in the application form below. There are two annual application rounds – 1st October to 31st March, and 1st April to 30th September – and at the end of each six month period grant applications will be reviewed and grants issued. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees of the WHSmith Group Charitable Trust and are subject to there being available reserves.
If a grant application is successful, a cheque made payable to the nominated charity or school will be sent to the applicant at their given postal address. Cheques will be dispatched within a month of the end of each application round.
Any funds left unallocated at the end of each six month application round will be donated to UK charities as part of the WHSmith Trust’s wider grant making activity.