Martin-Jenkins Foundation

Could Martin-Jenkins Foundation be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: £5,000 – £100,000
Applications: Not accepted
Decisions: As needed

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

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About Martin-Jenkins Foundation

Established in 2019 by the Martin-Jenkins family, the Martin-Jenkins Foundation is a UK charitable incorporated organisation. Chaired by Timothy Dennis Martin-Jenkins, it is guided by family trustees who take a long-term view of impact. The Foundation regards education as a force for equity and personal fulfilment, and works to advance social mobility through learning. Its funding character is distinctive: it is endowment-backed and trustee-driven, making selective grants rather than responding to open calls. The trustees focus on talented individuals from less advantaged backgrounds, supporting interventions that are high-quality and sustainable. The Foundation's approach is deliberately focused on British education, with an emphasis on widening access to elite institutions and means-tested support.

What Martin-Jenkins Foundation funds

The Foundation funds project and programme grants that support widening participation, direct student financial aid, and higher education readiness. Examples include means-tested bursaries, university access preparation, aspiration-raising programmes, and teaching enhancements. Its focus is on educational disadvantage, helping talented individuals from less advantaged backgrounds. The Foundation primarily supports UK education charities and academic institutions, including schools and social mobility organisations such as Marlborough College and upReach. Work is UK-wide, and the trustees favour interventions that can deliver scalable outcomes. They prioritise quality and sustainability over breadth, aiming for interventions that make a lasting difference to social mobility.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and academic institutions. This includes schools and social mobility organisations. The Foundation looks for organisations with a track record of working with talented individuals from less advantaged backgrounds, and a capacity to deliver at scale. There are no fixed income thresholds; both medium and larger entities are considered, though smaller charities may receive more modest support. The Foundation does not restrict applicants by religious context. Its priority is on interventions that can realistically widen participation and improve higher education readiness.

What Martin-Jenkins Foundation doesn't fund

The Foundation does not fund direct individual support, so students cannot apply personally for help. It also excludes unrestricted core costs, preferring to back specific projects and programmes. Activities outside the UK, or those not aligned with the charity's mission, are not supported.

How they like to fund

The Foundation is endowment-backed, giving it a long-term, independent perspective. Trustees take a proactive approach, identifying and selecting organisations that match their priorities. They do not accept unsolicited applications and there are no open calls. Grants are typically project or programme based, and some commitments may be multi-year, particularly for bursary funds. The emphasis is on supporting organisations aligned with trustee-identified priorities.

How much does Martin-Jenkins Foundation give?

£5,000 – £100,000

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

EducationChildren & youth

How to apply to Martin-Jenkins Foundation

Martin-Jenkins 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 Martin-Jenkins 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 Martin-Jenkins Foundation could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Martin-Jenkins Foundation provide?

Martin-Jenkins Foundation typically provides grants of £5,000 - £100,000.

Where does Martin-Jenkins Foundation fund charities?

Martin-Jenkins Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Martin-Jenkins Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

Martin-Jenkins Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Martin-Jenkins Foundation?

Martin-Jenkins Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.