Charitable foundation

The UIA Charitable Foundation is a small-grant-making trust, established to provide financial support to organisations that help people in need.

Where our money comes from
We are funded entirely by donations from UIA (Insurance) Limited, a mutual insurance company with an 'Insurance with Principles' ethic. The company provides household insurance to trade union and charity members.

When and how to apply
Committee meetings are usually held twice a year, in March and September. The trustees will only consider applications submitted on the Foundation's application form and operate on a first come first served basis. In order to keep costs down and avoid postage, we ask applicants to download the form from this website and post a signed copy and their annual accounts to:

The UIA Charitable Foundation
Kings Court
London Road
Stevenage
Herts SG1 2TP

Applications should reach the company no later than the beginning of February or August, but please note that receipt of an application does not guarantee that it will be considered at the next meeting. The Committee may ask for more information and may take up references. This helps the Committee to learn more about your work, but such a request does not guarantee that a grant will be made. It is unlikely that the Committee will want to meet with you directly.

How much can you apply for?
We are a small charity and are rarely able to support requests over £1,000. You will be informed of the decision in writing as soon as possible after the meeting.

What we make grants for
We support small organisations or groups where our modest grants will make a real difference and which deal with:

• Third World human rights
• Third World poverty
• Victims of domestic abuse
• Victims of drug and alcohol addiction
• Rehabilitation of offenders

We do not make grants for

• Organisations that are not registered charities or formally constituted voluntary organisations
• Organisations that are not based in the UK
• Charities whose combined grant-related support costs and governance costs are greater than 10% of their turnover
• Work that we believe should be, or is, publicly funded
• National charities that have an established constituency of supporters
• Funding for information/advice-giving or newsletters
• Conferences or training courses
• Personal support of individuals
• The arts
• Work in mainstream education, including schools, nurseries, playschools, 'out of hours' clubs and academic research
• Environment, conservation, animal welfare, heritage or sporting projects
• Work with a bias towards a particular religion

This list may be amended at any time.

Find out how to apply.