Igy Foundation
Could Igy Foundation be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- £50,000 – £250,000
- Applications
- Not accepted
- Decisions
- Rolling (no fixed deadline)
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
Check fit free · no card
igyfoundation.org.ukAbout Igy Foundation
The Igy Foundation was established in 2014 by investor Nick Sleep as his personal philanthropic vehicle from the Nomad Investment Partnership. Inspired by the collaborative spirit of the International Geophysical Year and Chuck Feeney's low-profile approach, it emphasises maximum impact with minimal publicity, treating philanthropy as a stewardship partnership. Trustees conduct rigorous personal research to identify grassroots-led charities, prioritising long-term commitments, core capacity building, and scaling of high-potential work. The Foundation focuses exclusively on advancing charitable activities for children, young people, and people with disabilities across England and Wales. It funds direct delivery organisations that demonstrate evidence-based needs and substantial social impact, offering unrestricted core funding, project grants, and capacity enhancements. Support is typically for small to medium-sized, grassroots entities, often with repeat or multi-year awards to enable ambitious growth. Distinctive for its anonymous giving, the Foundation has an aversion to intermediaries, advocacy, lobbying, or political causes. It proactively seeks out under-appreciated excellence rather than responding to pitches, and operates on an invite-only, trustee-initiated basis—no unsolicited applications or open rounds are accepted.
What Igy Foundation funds
The Igy Foundation supports charitable activities that benefit children, young people, and people with disabilities across England and Wales. It funds direct delivery organisations that demonstrate evidence-based needs and substantial social impact. The Foundation provides unrestricted core funding, project grants, and capacity enhancements to enable ambitious growth. Support is typically for small to medium-sized, grassroots entities, often with repeat or multi-year awards. The Foundation has an aversion to intermediaries, advocacy, lobbying, or political causes, and does not fund these areas.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants must be UK-registered charities operating in England and Wales. The Foundation prefers smaller organisations showing thoughtful, need-driven missions, with no formal income thresholds or geographic sub-restrictions within these areas. It focuses on grassroots-led charities that directly deliver services to children, young people, and people with disabilities. Funding is strictly invite-only and trustee-initiated on a rolling basis—no unsolicited applications or open rounds are accepted, though charities may use the website's contact form without guarantee of response.
What Igy Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation does not fund intermediaries, advocacy, lobbying, or political causes. It has an aversion to these areas and does not support them. No other exclusions are stated.
How they like to fund
The Igy Foundation offers unrestricted core funding, project grants, and capacity enhancements. Support is typically for small to medium-sized, grassroots entities, often with repeat or multi-year awards to enable ambitious growth. The Foundation operates on an invite-only, trustee-initiated basis, proactively seeking out under-appreciated excellence rather than responding to pitches. No unsolicited applications or open rounds are accepted.
How much does Igy Foundation give?
Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Igy Foundation
Igy Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.
- A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
- If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
- Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Igy Foundation.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Igy Foundation could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Igy Foundation provide?
Igy Foundation typically provides grants of £50,000 - £250,000.
Where does Igy Foundation fund charities?
Igy Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Igy Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Igy Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Igy Foundation?
Igy Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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