In the first instance, please read our GUIDELINES to ensure that your project fits within Whirlwind’s donations criteria.
We currently receive significantly more applications each quarter than we can fund. We also receive many that are not well aligned with our charitable remit, and so have little if any chance of receiving a donation. It is therefore very important that you consider an application carefully to avoid wasting your, or our, time.
Full details of our criteria are on the GUIDELINES page, but here is a summary:
We look more favourably on applications with involvement in maritime or outdoor pursuits with a level of challenge appropriate to the circumstances of the individuals involved. We prefer for the challenges involved to have the potential to bring about significant, life changing, impact.
We strongly prefer to fund activities that change the lives of young people with significant disadvantage, or disability, and provide (directly or indirectly) post-project mentoring or support.
Our preference is to fund smaller organisations with low running costs and overheads and extensive use of volunteers, where funds go directly to service delivery. We do not normally support core running costs.
Please consider the above, and the fuller detail on the GUIDELINES page. If you do not meet a significant number of the criteria, we would suggest Whirlwind may not be the best source of funding.
If you would like to review what questions to expect during the application, and see an example application click here: Example Application 220924
If you believe your project and charity to be well suited to these criteria, please proceed to our Applications portal:
Our applications portal will guide you through the application process, but here are a few pointers of what to expect.
To begin your application you will first need to register and then validate your email address. This will allow you to save your application and return to it for later completion.
The application is in two parts. The first is a questionnaire about your organisation. The second is a questionnaire about the project for which you seek funding. In addition you will need to upload various documents to support your application.
The portal will prompt you at every stage for the required information and all your work is saved as you go.
Once you have completed all the tasks you must submit your application by first clicking “Review and Submit” and then “Submit your Application” to start the process.
Should you have any difficulties please do not hesitate to contact us at applications@whirlwindcharitabletrust.org.uk
What happens next?
We will review your application and suitable applications will be presented to the Trustees for consideration our quarterly Board Meetings.
Our next Trustee Meeting will be held on 13th May 2025. Applications for this meeting have now closed. The following Trustee meeting will be in early August 2025 and we will publish the cut off date for applications nearer the time.
If we receive your application after the meeting cut off date it will be carried forward to be considered for the following quarterly meeting.
Each application is subject to rigorous review. You should not rely on a a donation until formally approved.
During this phase you may receive emails from us asking you to clarify items or to update your application with more detail.
Approval and payment
If the Trustees decide to make a donation we will advise you of the amount, including details of any conditions attached to the offer. We will ask you will to sign, and upload, your acceptance of our offer to the portal. Once we receive your acceptance, your donation will be made by bank transfer.
What if I need some help?
If at any stage of the application process you need help please get in touch with us at: applications@whirlwindcharitabletrust.org.uk