Foyle Foundation: Main Grants Scheme - LEARNING
Overview
The Main Grants Scheme supports charities registered and operating in the United Kingdom with a core remit of the Arts or Learning.
Smaller Arts or Learning charities with a turnover of less than £150,000 per annum are usually more suited to their Small Grants Scheme. On occasion they can accept an application under the Main Grants Scheme, but in these cases, the decision may still be made to internally transfer the request to the Small Grants Scheme. Please note that we do not support applications from individuals.
They welcome applications from all regions and countries of the United Kingdom.
Please note that competition is intense; they receive many more applications than they are able to fund.
What they fund
They make single grants only (no multi-year grants) to charities that can demonstrate ongoing financial stability for the next 12 months from the date of their application. We can consider applications towards:
- Project revenue costs.
- Essential equipment and digital services.
- Core costs, which is aimed at those with no, or without significant, public funding.
- Capital projects. The Foundation is unlikely to consider a request for building related costs if your lease is for less than 20 years. Please note that they do not fund feasibility studies and if RIBA stages apply, you must have reached at least RIBA Stage 3 before making a full capital application. Major infrastructure, services and equipment renewal projects will be eligible for consideration. They welcome projects/proposals that help reduce fixed or variable costs to promote efficiency savings, or which enable the generation of higher income, or additional revenue streams. They also welcome projects that promote environmental efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint or energy costs. If you wish to apply for a building project and request £75,000 or more, you must first submit an enquiry form for the Foundation to review, and if necessary, advise on, before you are able to proceed to a full application.
Organisations and projects that provide direct benefits and services to the general public (rather than special interest groups) will be favoured.
They will support projects/initiatives where applicants work in partnership on joint projects with other similar organisations. In such cases a lead organisation, to which any grant will be made, must be identified.
Charities must demonstrate ongoing financial viability over the next 12 months. If you cannot demonstrate this, your application is likely to be declined.
Retrospective funding will not be considered.
They do not to support start-up costs for new charities.
Learning
The Foundation will support projects which facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and learning and which have a long-term strategic impact. Key areas for support are:
- libraries, museums and archives;
- special educational needs;
- projects that encourage sustainability by reducing overheads or which help generate additional revenue. This might include environmental improvements to save energy and lower carbon emissions where a cost benefit can be demonstrated;
- projects and activities which increase access and widen the diversity of attenders/visitors.
Citizenship, esteem-building, independent living, vocational skills training, life skills, early learning projects or playgroups/preschools will not generally be considered under the Main Grants Scheme.
How Much Can You Apply For
The minimum you can apply for is £10K – the majority of Main Grants Scheme grants are in the range of £10K to £50K for revenue applications, with some larger grants possible depending upon need and purpose. Please note that if successful, the Trustees may award less than the amount requested.
If applying for a capital project and you are requesting £75K or more, please first fill in the enquiry form.
When Can You Apply
PLEASE NOTE THAT THEY WILL STOP ACCEPTING NEW APPLICATIONS TO THE MAIN GRANTS SCHEME (INCLUDING BUILDING PROJECTS APPLICATIONS FOR LESS THAN £75K) ON 31 JANUARY 2025.
FOR CAPITAL REQUESTS £75K AND OVER THEY WILL CLOSE FOR STAGE ONE ENQUIRIES ON 31 MAY 2024. NOTE THAT IF YOU THEN PROGRESS TO A FULL STAGE TWO APPLICATION, THEY WILL CLOSE FOR APPLICATIONS ON 30 JUNE 2024.
Otherwise, online applications can be submitted at any time. Once received, it will take up to four months, occasionally longer, to receive a decision from Trustees. Please also note that we can only consider applications for projects (and funding periods) which will be completed before the end of 2025.
For capital projects, please note that usually they will not accept an application if the design has not completed RIBA Stage 2 and reached RIBA Stage 3 (Developed Design).
If a previous application was declined, the charity is eligible to reapply 12 months after the previous request date (please note scheme closure dates above).
If a previous application was approved:
- where a grant of less than £75,000 had been awarded, the charity is eligible to apply to the Foundation 12 months after the approval date (providing all requirements of last grant are fulfilled). However, please note that once you have received a grant from The Foundation you may not be a priority for funding in the following year.
- where a grant of £75,000 or over had been awarded, the Foundation will not normally accept a further application within three years from the date of the final instalment (providing all requirements of last grant are fulfilled).