About The foundation
In 1966, three brothers Norman, Sir Ronald and Allan Wates of the Wates building firm (now the Wates Construction Group), amalgamated their personal charitable trusts into the single entity of The Wates Foundation.
The Foundation has its own capital endowment that provides an annual income that allows new grants to be made each year of up to £3 million. In line with its origin, the Foundation retains an interest in the built environment and its impact on society. The Foundation is, however, quite separate from the commercial interests of the Wates Construction Group, although there is co-operation and partnership in areas of common interest.
The philanthropic ethos of the Foundation is encapsulated by the following statements:
Vision
The Wates family and Trustees of the Wates Foundation believe that the quality of life in society can be improved by informed and independent intervention to alleviate distress, deprivation and social exclusion.
Mission
To harness the generosity of the Founders to the enthusiasm and knowledge of the Wates family and present Trustees to improve the quality of life of the deprived, disadvantaged and excluded in the community in which we live.
