Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
Background
Funding is provided by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, a registered charity, which was established in 1961 by Ian Fairbairn as a memorial to his wife Esmée. Today it is one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK with an annual spend budget of around £40 million. It aims to improve the quality of life throughout the UK and takes pride in supporting work that might otherwise be considered difficult to fund.
Objectives of Fund
The funding is intended for projects which aim to:
- Improve the natural world.
- Secure a fairer future.
- Strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK.
The focus is on work that will deliver the greatest long-term impact and create change for the future.
The work should be:
- Driving change for the future by breaking new ground or using tried and tested models to push things forward in a new way.
- Ambitious and aiming to make a difference over the long-term.
Value Notes
The minimum grant size is £30,000.
Most grants are for three to five years.
Who Can Apply
Charities and organisations that are undertaking work that is legally charitable in the UK can apply.
Organisations must have a regular annual turnover of at least £100,000 and must be properly constituted.
Organisations that are not registered charities will need to provide a copy of their constitution have good governance (at least three directors, the majority of whom should not be paid employees).
The applicant organisation should be leading the way itself, or part of a partnership or collaboration which is aiming for transformative change.
Location
United Kingdom
Restrictions
The following are not eligible for funding:
- Organisations with an annual turnover of less than £100,000.
- Organisations with less than three non-executive trustees or directors.
- Organisations without an asset lock or other general mechanism used to cover all the provisions designed to ensure that the assets of an organisation, including profits or surpluses generated, are used for the benefit of its community or to further its activities and mission.
- Work that is not legally charitable.
- Work that does not have a direct benefit in the UK.
- Applications for less than £30,000.
- Individuals.
- Capital costs including building work, renovations, and equipment (the exclusion applies to grants only, social investments can be made for these).
- Academic research unless it can demonstrate real potential for practical outcomes.
- Healthcare with a clinical basis, including medical research, hospices, counselling and therapy, arts therapy, education about and treatment for drug and alcohol misuse.
- Independent education, which means work that take place or is delivered by fee-paying schools.
- Work that is primarily the responsibility of statutory authorities.
- Advancement of religion.
- Work in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Eligible Expenditure
Unrestricted, core, project and delegated grants are available for charitable work in the UK.
To be eligible, applicants must be delivering work which aligns with one or more of the following programmes:
Our Natural World
Ensuring that the natural world is restored and protected, and that people benefit from that recovery.
The Foundation aims to contribute to the following key impact goals by 2030:
- Preserved and improved species health and habitats.
- Clean and healthy freshwater.
- Sustainable and ethical food.
The priorities over the next seven years are:
- Peat.
- Space for nature.
- Freshwater.
- Nature-friendly farming
- Fishing in tandem with nature.
A Fairer Future
Making changes to systems and structures, while building the power and capacity of people and organisations. The Foundation wants to contribute to a socially just and anti-racist society, where people have their rights protected, as well as the opportunity to speak and be heard, and the freedom to express their creativity. The Foundation is keen to support organisations led by the people they serve.
Throughout this programme, there will be a focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. There is a commitment to support organisations led by communities experiencing racial inequity and affected by systemic injustice.
The priorities are as follows:
- Arts and Creativity Making Change.
- Children and Young People’s Rights.
- Racial Justice.
- Gender Justice.
- Migrant Justice.
Creative, Confident Communities
Strengthening the bonds in communities, helping local people to build vibrant, confident places where they can fulfil their creative, human, and economic potential. Places where the local economy works better for the people who live there, where there is equality of access to arts and culture, and where communities are at the heart of change.
The Foundation aims to contribute to the following key impact goals by 2030:
- Communities use their power to make change happen.
- Local economies work better for the people who live there.
- Culture and creativity build thriving communities.
The priorities in the first seven years are:
- Communities working together for change.
- Community driven enterprise and regeneration.
- Community-led art and creativity.
How To Apply
The guidance notes, sample application forms, eligibility quiz, and Expression of Interest can be found on the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation website.
There is a six-step application process:
- First, complete the online eligibility quiz.
- Second, read the guidance to decide whether the proposed work contributes to the Foundation’s aims and impact goals.
- Third, submit an online expression of interest. There is no deadline for an expression of interest.
- Fourth, applicants whose work ‘potentially matches’ the Foundation’s aims will be invited to have a phone call to discuss their plans.
- Fifth, applicants whose work is viewed as a ‘good fit’ will be invited to submit a proposal within three months.
- Sixth, upon receipt of the proposal the Foundation will have a follow-up conversation and a decision will be made.
Full details about the process are available on the Foundation's website.
Contact the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for further information.
