The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation provides substantial grants to UK organisations seeking to create long‑term impact and drive systemic change. Funding supports core costs or projects that align with the Foundation’s strategic priorities, including social justice, community wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
Grants start at £30,000 with no upper limit, and most are awarded for three to five years. The Foundation does not set deadlines for general applications; expressions of interest can be submitted at any time, and decisions are made on a rolling basis.
The Foundation funds constituted organisations with an annual turnover of at least £100,000. It seeks work that goes beyond service delivery to influence policy, practice or behaviour, centres lived experience and equity, and demonstrates potential for wider influence or replication. It does not fund capital costs, individuals, independent education or work that falls outside charitable purposes.
Applications begin with an expression of interest submitted through the online portal. Successful expressions of interest progress to assessment and then to a full proposal. The full process can take up to six months for most grants, with smaller funding requests often assessed more quickly.
For full eligibility details and to apply, visit the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation website: https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/