The Wilder Foundation: Empowering Students to Make a Difference
Established in 2026 after five years of successful fundraising through the Wilder Network, the Wilder Foundation was created with one clear purpose: to reinvest in young people. By supporting students directly, creating lasting national impact, and helping a wide range of charities across the UK and Ireland, we’re building something that reaches far beyond a single cause.
We are a student-powered, not-for-profit organisation raising funds for students, by students, and led by students. Today, we’re proud to support thousands of students across the UK and Ireland, helping them make the most of their university experience while giving back to their communities.
Our Mission
We believe every student should have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their age, background, gender, identity, income, ability, or disability.
Our mission is to create a university community where students feel empowered to support important charitable causes, access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach, and develop the personal and professional skills they’ll carry throughout their lives.
Everything we do is designed to reinvest in young people, create lasting national impact, and extend charitable support across multiple causes.
Our ambition is simple: to become the UK’s and Ireland’s leading student-focused charitable organisation.
Our Vision
The Wilder Foundation exists to invest in the next generation.
Working alongside both national and local charities, we help strengthen the support available to students while building sustainable, long-term impact.
Through our Wilder Wishes grants, we support students facing financial hardship, pursuing academic goals, developing creative talents, or striving for sporting success. Alongside financial support, we provide opportunities to volunteer, organise fundraising events, and gain valuable real-world experience that enhances future careers.
Our promise is straightforward:
“Wherever students are, we will be there.”
None of this would be possible without the incredible community behind the Foundation. Our supporters, ambassadors, volunteers, staff, trustees, and student fundraisers all play a vital role. Together, our collective voice is far greater than the size of our organisation.
Four Ways We Support Students
Everything we do works together to create a cycle of opportunity.
Fundraising helps fund grants. Grants create new opportunities. Those opportunities inspire awareness, bringing even more students into the community.
Awareness Campaigns
We work alongside charities and campaigns that tackle issues affecting young people across the UK and Ireland, helping raise awareness, encourage prevention, and support life-changing research.
Fundraising Events
We organise affordable fundraising events and partner with like-minded organisations to ensure that cost is never a barrier to taking part or making a difference.
Wilder Wishes Grants
Through our Wilder Wishes programme, we award grants to students experiencing hardship or pursuing academic, sporting, artistic, and creative ambitions, helping them achieve goals that may otherwise be beyond reach.
Volunteer Opportunities
We give students the chance to build practical skills, gain valuable experience, and boost their employability by volunteering with the Foundation and our partner organisations.
Supporting Life-Changing Causes
Every campaign we launch, every event we organise, and every grant we award has one shared purpose: investing directly in young people while supporting charities that make a real difference.
One organisation we’re proud to support is Anthony Nolan, one of the UK’s leading blood cancer charities. Together, we’re helping educate students about stem cell donation and encouraging more young people to join the stem cell register. It only takes a few minutes to sign up, but it could one day save someone’s life.
At the Wilder Foundation, everything comes back to one simple belief: