Alchemy Foundation
About This Funder
The Alchemy Foundation, established in 1985 as The Starlight Foundation and renamed in 1987, is a UK-based charitable trust chaired by songwriter and philanthropist Sir Richard Stilgoe OBE DL, with family and diverse trustees guiding its work. Rooted in values of practical intervention, enterprise, social justice, and empowerment, it seeks to make lasting differences for young people facing disadvantage, exclusion, or hardship, emphasizing sustainable impact through capacity-building rather than one-off aid. Its low-profile, values-driven approach stands out in UK philanthropy, particularly via the flagship Alchemist Scheme, which funds professional fundraisers embedded in charities to enhance their long-term resilience.
The Foundation prioritizes disability support (mobility, access, helplines, communications), social welfare (inner-city deprivation, disaffected youth, family mediation, homelessness, carers' respite), penal reform (prisoners, young offenders, families), medical research on blindness and disfigurement, water projects in developing countries, and international opportunities for youth via groups like Raleigh International. It backs capital projects (e.g., wheelchair access), revenue needs, and programmes fostering enterprise and self-sufficiency, with recurring grants to recipients like Orpheus Centre Trust, Youth Music, and WaterAid.
Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, preferably small to medium-sized with incomes below £1 million, operating across the UK (mainly England and Wales) or with UK beneficiaries; occasional international elements are supported but not required. No religious restrictions apply, and it welcomes projects aiding people/communities without local limits.
Grants typically range from £500 to £5,000 (larger for Alchemist Scheme, up to £10,000+), covering core costs and fundraising posts. Unsolicited written applications (letter by post, with charity status and project details) are accepted anytime; trustees meet quarterly to decide, with responses in months—no forms, deadlines, or online portal needed. It avoids non-charities and focuses on practical, sector-strengthening interventions over publicity-seeking causes.
Eligibility Checklist
Funding Details
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does Alchemy Foundation provide?
Alchemy Foundation typically provides grants ranging from £500 - £5,000.
Where does Alchemy Foundation fund charities?
Alchemy Foundation funds charities operating in UK.
How do I apply for funding from Alchemy Foundation?
With Fundermatcher, you describe your charity once and see your compatibility score with Alchemy Foundation. If you're a good fit, you can start drafting your application immediately using our AI co-pilot — paste each question and word limit, and the co-pilot writes a tailored first draft using your charity's real data and Alchemy Foundation's priorities. You review and edit every answer before submitting.
Will funders know my application was drafted with AI?
No. The co-pilot uses your charity's real name, numbers, and impact data — not generic filler or templates. Every draft reads like it was written by someone who knows your charity inside-out, because it's built on your actual profile. You edit and refine every word before it goes anywhere, so the final application sounds like you — because it is.
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