Lily Foundation
Could Lily Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £25,000 – £100,000
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Email application
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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thelilyfoundation.org.ukAbout Lily Foundation
The Lily Foundation is the UK's leading specialist charity committed to supporting families affected by mitochondrial disease, a rare and incurable genetic disorder. Established in 2007, the charity has a dual mission: funding high-quality research to improve diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately find a cure, while also providing emotional support, advocacy, and raising awareness for patients of all ages and their families. They fund with compassion and collaboration, prioritising patient empowerment alongside scientific advancement through trusted partnerships with the NHS and universities.
What Lily Foundation funds
The foundation exclusively funds mitochondrial disease initiatives. Their research priorities include laboratory and clinical studies, genetic diagnostics, patient registries, and trial recruitment. Their family support work includes peer networks and professional education. Through the Lily Wish Fund, they provide grants for equipment, capital works, and events, giving mitochondrial disease sufferers and their families access to something they might not normally be able to afford to improve their lives. Their activities cover England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Who can apply
Research grants are available to UK-based academic institutions, NHS centres, and research consortia. The Lily Wish Fund is open to individuals with mitochondrial disease and their families, including carers. The foundation supports children, adults, and families across the UK. Unsolicited applications for research are not accepted, while the Lily Wish Fund welcomes individual applications.
What Lily Foundation doesn't fund
The foundation does not fund general charities, core costs, capital projects, or non-research activities. For the Lily Wish Fund, previous wishes granted within the last year may affect consideration of new applications.
How they like to fund
Research grants are awarded through invited applications only, typically in partnership with established institutions like universities and NHS centres. The Lily Wish Fund accepts unsolicited applications from individuals. The foundation's distinctive funding style integrates direct family welfare support with translational research.
How much does Lily Foundation give?
Lily Foundation runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 8 sourced facts
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 Lily Foundation funds — and what they won't
To give mitochondrial disease sufferers and their families access to something they might not normally be able to afford to improve their lives.
The full exclusions list (1)
- Previous wish granted within the last year may affect consideration
Good to know
How to apply to Lily Foundation
Lily Foundation takes applications via email application.
- Decisions are typically once per year.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
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 Lily Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Lily Foundation provide?
Lily Foundation typically provides grants of £25,000 - £100,000.
Where does Lily Foundation fund charities?
Lily Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Lily Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Lily Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Lily Foundation not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Previous wish granted within the last year may affect consideration. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Lily Foundation?
Lily Foundation takes applications via email application. Decisions are typically once per year.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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Could Lily Foundation be a fit?
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