Barbara and Derek Calrow Charitable Foundation

The Barbara and Derek Calrow Charitable Foundation, a grant-making charitable incorporated organisation established in June 2018 by philanthropists Robert Derek Calrow OBE and Barbara Elizabeth Calrow, focuses on benefiting communities in Bolton, Manchester City, and surrounding areas through flexible donations to local causes. Rooted in a civic ethos of generosity, inclusivity, and responsiveness, the entirely trustee-led foundation—operating without paid staff—prioritises public benefit and grassroots needs, drawing from the founders' deep ties to local institutions like Bury Grammar School and Bury FC. It emphasises general charitable purposes over narrow themes, sustaining community wellbeing via annual grants exceeding £120,000 to diverse beneficiaries including sports clubs, community centres, schools, health initiatives, and volunteer groups, funding core operating costs, unrestricted support, and projects enhancing resident opportunities and resilience.

Eligible applicants are local community groups and academic institutions (e.g., schools) serving the general public in Bolton and Manchester City, with a preference for small to medium-sized, grassroots organisations embedded in these communities; there are no strict income thresholds or religious restrictions, though funding is geographically confined.

Typical grants range from £2,000 to £10,000, awarded proactively by trustees without public application processes, deadlines, or open calls—operating on an invite-only basis with decisions made at private meetings. Distinctively independent from government contracts, it avoids large capital projects, thematic restrictions, or national charities, standing out for its prudent governance, safeguarding focus, and enduring commitment to bolstering local charitable ecosystems through direct, impactful support.