Aldama Foundation

The Aldama Foundation, established in 2008 by Clare Kirkman and James Kirkman as a grant-making charitable trust governed by Dickinson Trust Limited, pursues a broad spectrum of charitable purposes under English charity law. With a generalist remit and absolute trustee discretion, it emphasizes flexibility, high governance standards, and compliance with the Charities Act 2011, drawing from investment income and capital for sustained seven-figure distributions—£1.04m in 2023–24. Its values center on public benefit, stewardship, and supporting diverse causes without prescriptive priorities, evidenced by grants to arts institutions like the National Gallery for conservation and training, and Turner’s House Trust for heritage restoration.

It funds advancements in health, disability, poverty relief, overseas aid, religious activities, arts, culture, heritage, science, animal welfare, environment, conservation, economic/community development, and employment. Beneficiaries span children, youth, elderly, disabled people, other charities, and the general public, via project grants, core costs, unrestricted support, and capital funding, primarily to established medium/large UK charities in England, though UK-wide or international efforts align with its objects.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities; unsolicited approaches are not accepted—initial contact via letter is reviewed at trustee discretion, with no open calls, forms, or guidelines. Typical grants range £25,000–£500,000 (median £50,000–£300,000, occasionally £1m+), awarded rolling via unscheduled meetings, favoring demonstrable impact in arts, heritage, education, or health.

Distinctively generalist with significant capacity, it avoids narrow specialism, small grassroots groups, or fixed themes, prioritizing credible organizations with strong public benefit cases over proactive solicitation.