Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation

Could Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: £5,000 – £50,000
Applications: By invitation only
Decisions: As needed

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

Check fit free · no card

About Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation

The Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation is a UK-based grantmaker established to honour family history and personal values shaped by frontline public sector work, with trustees offering direct insight into complex social issues. Its mission is to fund innovative, transformational projects and research that tackle the root causes of trauma, disadvantage, and marginalisation, advancing social justice, equality of opportunity, and systemic change. Guided by collaboration, compassion, responsibility, early intervention, empowerment, and equity, the Foundation proactively identifies partners rather than accepting unsolicited applications, fostering deep strategic relationships and embracing bold, evidence-led, risk-tolerant solutions.

What Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation funds

The Foundation prioritises human rights, conflict resolution, racial and religious harmony, equality and diversity, education, relief of need, criminal justice, and mental health. Supported activities include pilot programmes, feasibility studies, core costs, unrestricted funding, research, and policy-shaping collaborations, aimed at prevention, voice amplification, and long-term systems transformation. There is a sharp focus on vulnerable groups: young people at risk of criminal justice involvement or antisocial behaviour, those in care, women and girls facing justice system entry, and communities affected by racism or exclusion. The Foundation funds organisations across England and Wales, covering both grassroots and national charities.

Who can apply

Eligible organisations include UK registered charities, from small grassroots to national charities tackling entrenched issues in England and Wales. There are no strict income thresholds, but a preference for proven track records. The Foundation supports people and communities directly, with a strong emphasis on innovation and evidence-led approaches. It prioritises partnerships based on collaboration and risk tolerance, but does not accept unsolicited applications.

What Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation doesn't fund

The Foundation avoids short-term relief, capital grants, or emergency aid outside its geography. It does not support projects that do not align with its focus on root causes of trauma, disadvantage, and marginalisation, or those lacking an emphasis on systemic change and prevention.

How they like to fund

The Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, proactively identifying partners rather than accepting unsolicited applications. It fosters deep strategic relationships and offers flexible funding, including core costs, unrestricted grants, research support, and policy-shaping collaborations. The approach is characterised by a preference for bold, evidence-led, risk-tolerant solutions and long-term systems change.

How much does Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation give?

£5,000 – £50,000

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.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Children & youthMental healthWomen & girlsEthnic minorities

How to apply to Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation

Kurt and Magda Stern 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 as needed.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation.
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation provide?

Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation typically provides grants of £5,000 - £50,000.

Where does Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation fund charities?

Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation?

Kurt and Magda Stern Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.