GrantRadar

The WCIT Charity (The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists' Charity)

WCIT Charity grants for innovative technology projects

The WCIT Charity (charity 1113488), the charity of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists livery company, gives grants of up to £15,000 to small and medium UK-registered charities for innovative technology projects. Projects must fit one of four areas: digital inclusion, education, tech for charities, or public understanding of technology. Technology must be central to the project, and routine IT purchases are not funded. Applications are made through an online portal in capped quarterly rounds; the current round closes on 3 November 2026, or sooner if 50 applications arrive.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £15,000
Closes in
16 days left
3 November
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • UK-registered charities whose beneficiaries are in the UK, registered with the Charity Commission or OSCR more than 12 months ago
  • Both annual income and unrestricted reserves must be under £1 million; the reserves limit is strictly applied
  • CICs, other non-charity not-for-profits, schools, academies, PTAs, individuals, private companies and councils cannot apply
  • The Charity prefers smaller charities
  • Organisations turned down must wait 12 months before reapplying
  • An application is cancelled if the same project is funded elsewhere

What it funds

Innovative projects where technology is central, in four focus areas:

  • Inclusion (digital inclusion, accessibility and participation for people facing barriers to technology)
  • Education (innovative approaches to learning outcomes and digital literacy, and tech-enabled educational tools)
  • Tech for charities (testing, developing or applying innovative technologies that improve services or efficiency)
  • Public understanding of technology (a small area)

Projects must benefit at least 25 people in the UK, deliver clear measurable outcomes and normally request no more than £300 per direct beneficiary.

The grant must be at least 25% of the project budget.

The Charity is particularly interested in AI, data and analytics, robotics, digital skills and accessibility technologies.

Pilot projects and project-linked staff costs are eligible, though staff costs cannot make up the whole request.

Adaptive technologies are the only hardware funded.

Match funding is possible where the budget exceeds £15k.

Grants typically range from £5,000 to £15,000, and pro bono help from members can also be requested.

What it will not fund

  • Website creation or redesign
  • Off-the-shelf hardware or software, e.g. laptops, tablets, robotics kits, monitors, phones, commercial software licences and subscriptions (adaptive technologies excepted)
  • Networking or telephony costs
  • Apps for income generation or staff administration
  • Consultancy fees
  • Core running costs
  • Existing services, or projects already delivered
  • Continuing an existing service without a new technological element
  • Political or lobbying activity
  • Loans, debt repayment or endowment-building
  • International projects where beneficiaries are outside the UK
  • CICs or other not-for-profit groups that are not registered charities
  • Schools, academies or PTAs (except existing partner schools)
  • Individuals
  • Private companies
  • Local authorities or councils

How to apply

  1. Check the eligibility criteria, FAQs and grant-making policy on https://wcitcharity.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/
  2. Optionally email charity@wcit.org.uk or call 020 3871 0255 to check your proposal is eligible
  3. Optionally draft answers offline using the application form template (https://wcitcharity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Grant-application-form-updated-August-2026.docx)
  4. Submit through the online portal (https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/3e3f775c-5c5f-43c1-811a-b88b6e597258) while the round is open (opened 21 September 2026, closes 3 November 2026 or when 50 applications are received)
  5. Applications are checked for compliance and a shortlist goes to the Charitable Operations Committee
  6. The Committee decides about a month after the deadline, and applicants are notified by 8 December 2026
  7. If successful, agree the terms and conditions and reporting before payment, then submit an end-of-project report

Rounds reopen every three months; the next window and deadline are always published on the website

The page reported only £26,795 of funding left for 2026 and three grants from 205 applications last quarter, so competition is intense

Unsuccessful applicants get no individual feedback

Have ready

  • Proof of charitable status
  • Most recent audited or independently examined accounts
  • Budget breakdown of the requested amount (uploaded)

A safeguarding policy is needed if the project involves children or vulnerable adults, a PSC register if the charity is a CIC or company limited by guarantee, and an external referee's contact details for requests over £5,000

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WCIT Charity grants for innovative technology projects — The WCIT Charity (The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists' Charity) — GrantRadar