Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people and communities throughout the UK both now and in the future. The Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK and makes grants of £30 – £35 million annually towards a wide range of work within the arts, education and learning and provide funding for organisations and projects considered ‘hard to fund’. They also provide grants to both registered charities and social enterprises/CIC’s.
Esmee Fairbairn offers most of its funding through the Main Fund, which sectors are:
Each sector features a range of specific areas the Foundation is most interested in supporting, with an emphasis always on helping those people and communities experiencing disadvantage. There are no limits for the amount you can request, but grants are rarely made below £5,000. The Foundation also states that around 80% of the grants are on a multi-year basis, often for three years at a time.
In order to apply, the first stage of the application process is to make an online application which consists of 1,000 words detailing your organisation, application details and response to four questions you will be provided with. After you have submitted this, you will be contacted to take part in the second stage application and be asked for further information. Funding decisions are made throughout the year so there are no application deadlines. Further information on how to make an application, eligibility criteria and guidelines can be found on their website.
Esmee Fairbairn also offers a Food Strand and Merger Strand fund, which the Foundation offers more information on here.