ISLINGTON, U.K. - s4story -- Ambitious charities across the North of England, the Midlands, and Wales are being invited to apply for the 2026 Weston Charity Awards, which offer transformational support packages worth over £22,000 each.

Up to 22 charities working in community, environment, welfare, or youth sectors will be selected for this substantial programme of support, designed to help organisations strengthen their leadership, plan for sustainable growth, and build long-term resilience.

Delivered through a partnership between the Garfield Weston Foundation and charity partner Pilotlight, each winner receives £6,500 in unrestricted funding, plus access to Pilotlight 360 – a year-long programme of strategic mentoring and leadership development valued at around £16,000.

Each front-line charity is allocated a team of senior business professionals, who provide tailored coaching on topics such as income diversification, business planning, long-term strategy, volunteer recruitment, and operational efficiency. This expert guidance helps small charities gain the skills and capacity to thrive in an increasingly challenging environment.

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Eligible registered charities include those that have delivered a service for over two years, have at least one paid full-time member of staff in a leadership position, and have an income of less than £5 million per year.

Clare Gough, Director at the Garfield Weston Foundation, said:

"Charities are under more pressure than ever, with rising costs, funding competition, and growing need. The Weston Charity Awards use a unique combination of expert mentoring and funding to help build an achievable plan for sustainable growth that gets charities future-ready. Winners can then concentrate on what matters most, delivering impact within their community."

Since launching in 2014, over 200 charities have received Weston Charity Awards. A recent independent evaluation report analysing the 10-year impact of the programme revealed that almost all leaders reported that their charity is more operationally fit after winning (96%), with four out of five stating that the improvements are still felt to this day (83%). Winners also reported having more effective senior leadership (98%) as well as a clearer organisational purpose (91%).

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The Weston Charity Awards application deadline is 5pm on Friday 9 January 2026.

Who can apply?

• Registered charities (charity number required)
• Income under £5m per year
• At least two years of service delivery
• At least one full-time paid leader
• Based in the North of England, the Midlands or Wales
• Working in Community, Welfare, Youth or Environmental action

To find out more and apply, visit: www.pilotlight.org.uk/weston-charity-awards

Charities can also attend a free Zoom session where they can find out more about the benefits and get top tips on crafting a standout application. Tickets are available through Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/pilotlight-30202886552).