Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

The Foundation funds across a wide range of causes including environment, children and youth, criminal justice, education and skills, arts and culture, community development, refugees and migrants, domestic abuse, mental and physical health, poverty and hardship, employment, heritage, animals and faith. It supports core costs, salaries and project delivery, and works UK-wide. Grants typically cover the running costs and activities that enable organisations to pursue their mission, with a preference for long-term, unrestricted support that allows flexibility and innovation.

The Foundation supports registered charities, social enterprises, community benefit societies, CICs, CIOs, unincorporated associations, community groups, trusts, schools and faith groups. It does not make grants to individuals. Organisations of any size may apply, and the Foundation is open to grassroots and smaller entities. There is no restriction on religious or faith background.

The Foundation does not fund capital works, equipment, research or emergency appeals. It also does not make grants to individuals. These exclusions are part of its strategic focus on long-term, unrestricted support for core costs and project delivery.

The Foundation provides multi-year grants, typically for three to five years, and prefers unrestricted funding that gives organisations flexibility. It takes a trust-based approach, supporting core costs and salaries alongside project delivery. The Foundation welcomes unsolicited applications from eligible organisations and is open to risk-taking on pioneering work in underfunded areas.