1564 Foundation

The 1564 Foundation is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 9 March 2023, endowed with substantial initial funds by its chair, Lord Franck Robert Petitgas. Governed by trustees Amanda Jane Petitgas (Chair), Lord Franck Robert Petitgas, and Stuart Guest, it pursues general charitable purposes for public benefit, with all grant decisions left entirely to trustee discretion rather than fixed themes, values, or strategies. Lacking published visions, plans, or guiding principles, it emphasises prudent asset investment to sustain long-term giving, operating from London as a highly flexible, generalist funder open to diverse UK charitable needs.

It supports a broad spectrum of UK-registered charities for projects, core costs, or general purposes, with recent grants totalling £151,000 primarily to cultural organisations—though no specific recipients, patterns, or recurring priorities are disclosed, underscoring its non-thematic approach. There are no stated preferences for causes, beneficiaries, or activities beyond legal charitable definitions, making it adaptable to trustee-identified opportunities.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities of any size or income, with no geographic sub-restrictions within the UK. It does not accept unsolicited applications; interested organisations must pursue direct trustee contact for consideration, as there are no guidelines, forms, deadlines, or rounds—decisions occur ad hoc. Grant sizes vary at discretion, with no typical ranges published. Distinctively, its opacity on past grants, exclusions (none specified), and shifting priorities differentiates it from structured funders, suiting charities valuing trustee flexibility over predictable alignment.