Joseph and Lilian Sully Foundation

The Joseph and Lilian Sully Foundation, established in 1992 as the principal beneficiary of Lilian Sully's residuary estate, is a trustee-led grant-maker with an expendable endowment focused on relieving suffering, distress, disease, and poverty among children; providing educational assistance to children, families, and communities; conserving Epping Forest as a public amenity; and pursuing other general charitable purposes. Guided by Charity Commission public benefit principles, its evidence-based approach emphasizes tangible impact through a board including Peter Timms and others, prioritizing health, social welfare, education, and poverty alleviation for vulnerable children and families alongside environmental conservation.

It funds a broad spectrum of initiatives, including therapeutic play (e.g., ELHAP), addiction recovery (Phoenix Futures), emergency services (London’s Air Ambulance), carer support (Carers UK), dementia research (Alzheimer’s Research UK, Race Against Dementia up to £500,000 multi-year), food poverty relief (3food4U), and community wellbeing projects. Support spans project/core costs, revenue/capital needs, unrestricted grants, and both grassroots and national efforts benefiting children, families, and UK communities.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or groups (no specified entity types or income thresholds) operating in England and Wales, with a preference for Epping Forest-linked projects but UK-wide reach. Unsolicited applications are invite-only via email; trustees make ad hoc decisions without deadlines or public processes, favoring known contacts.

Typical grants range £10,000–£50,000 (annual expenditure £600,000–£750,000), occasionally larger for strategic needs. It avoids non-charitable objects but stands out for funding innovative research, immediate welfare, and diverse scales—from local to national—with a steadfast children/family focus and flexible, values-driven strategy.