Coles-Medlock Foundation
Could Coles-Medlock Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £500 – £15,000
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
- Decisions
- Rolling (no fixed deadline)
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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coles-medlock.orgAbout Coles-Medlock Foundation
The Coles-Medlock Foundation is a grant-making trust that supports UK-registered charities delivering sustainable development projects overseas. Established by Bath-based philanthropists David and Jacky Medlock, the foundation aims to alleviate poverty and hardship through long-term, programme-based change. It prioritises the empowerment and education of young girls, along with initiatives that strengthen women’s participation in commerce and enable independent financial progress. The foundation values cost-effective, scalable impact and favours direct service delivery and capacity building over short-term aid.
What Coles-Medlock Foundation funds
The foundation supports project delivery in areas including poverty and hardship, education and skills, physical health, employment, and community development. It focuses on sustainable development in education, healthcare, food provision, infrastructure, and independent financial progress. Grants are for charitable activities carried out outside the UK, with a particular emphasis on the empowerment and education of young girls and women in commerce. The foundation does not fund projects taking place within the UK.
Who can apply
Applications are accepted from UK-registered charities only. The foundation does not support individuals. Priority beneficiaries are children, young people, and women. Charities must be delivering projects overseas, with a focus on sustainable development. The foundation welcomes unsolicited applications and has no religious restriction.
What Coles-Medlock Foundation doesn't fund
The foundation does not fund core costs, building construction, or infrastructure. Grants are not awarded for charitable projects carried out in the UK. Applications from individuals are not accepted.
How they like to fund
The foundation awards project delivery grants, typically over multiple years, allowing charities to plan for sustained impact. It does not fund core costs. Unsolicited applications are welcomed, and the foundation works directly with registered charities rather than through intermediaries.
How much does Coles-Medlock Foundation give?
Coles-Medlock Foundation runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 22 sourced facts
- Online application form
- 4 rounds a year
- Decisions in ~12 weeks
- Multi-year funding
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Coles-Medlock Foundation funds — and what they won't
Currently prioritising empowerment and education of young girls; women in commerce; sustainable development in education, healthcare, food provision, infrastructure, independent financial progress.
The full exclusions list (1)
- Grants not awarded for charitable projects being carried out in the UK; building construction (focus on programmes rather than infrastructure)
Good to know
How to apply to Coles-Medlock Foundation
Coles-Medlock Foundation takes applications via online form.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Coles-Medlock Foundation's application asks
We hold the 13 questions from Coles-Medlock Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“Where is your charity registered? * England/Wales Scotland”
“Give a brief overview of your organisation (Max 3,500 characters)”
Max 3500 words
11 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Coles-Medlock Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Coles-Medlock Foundation provide?
Coles-Medlock Foundation runs one grant programme — Main Grant Programme: £500 – £15,000.
Where does Coles-Medlock Foundation fund charities?
Coles-Medlock Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Coles-Medlock Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Coles-Medlock Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Coles-Medlock Foundation not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Grants not awarded for charitable projects being carried out in the UK; building construction (focus on programmes rather than infrastructure). The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Coles-Medlock Foundation?
Coles-Medlock Foundation takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.
Similar funders
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Could Coles-Medlock Foundation be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.