Last Chance for Ambitious Environmental Charities to Win £22,000 in Support and Funding

Ambitious environmental charities across the North of England, the Midlands, and Wales have less than one month left to apply for the 2026 Weston Charity Awards, which offer transformational support packages worth over £22,000 each.

The Awards celebrate and strengthen ambitious organisations tackling today’s biggest challenges, from renewable energy, recycling and biodiversity to climate change, sustainable land use, and conservation.

Delivered through a partnership between the Garfield Weston Foundation and charity partner Pilotlight, the substantial support programme includes £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.

Up to 22 front-line charities will be selected for the awards and matched with a team of senior business professionals known as Pilotlighters. Each mentor provides 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. The programme helps organisations to strengthen their leadership, plan for sustainable growth, and build long-term resilience.

One of last year’s winners was Welsh Dee Trust, an environmental charity that works to ensure the River Dee is free from pollution and full of wildlife. CEO of Welsh Dee Trust, Peter Powell, said of winning a Weston Charity Award:

“It’s made a big impact to Welsh Dee Trust. Personally, I really enjoyed it. It’s been good for my own development. It made me a better leader and CEO and forced me to think more strategically. It has improved my skills immensely. I had to think more about long-term planning and how we get from where we are now to where we want to be.”

Since launching in 2014, over 200 charities have received Weston Charity Awards. A recent independent evaluation 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%).

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.”

Pilotlight CEO, Lisa Pearce, added:

“The Weston Charity Awards are about unlocking potential not just through funding, but through the power of connection, leadership and shared learning. Charities are doing extraordinary work under huge pressure, and this programme gives them the space, skills and confidence to plan for the future. It’s a real privilege to see how collaboration between charity leaders and business experts helps to strengthen the sector from within.”

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