Olwyn Foundation
Could Olwyn Foundation be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- £20,000 – £50,000
- Applications
- By invitation only
- Decisions
- As needed
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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olwynfoundation.orgAbout Olwyn Foundation
The Olwyn Foundation is a UK-registered charitable incorporated organisation established in 2018 by feminist philanthropist Samantha Rowe-Beddoe alongside trustees Patricia Jane Green and Samantha Victoria Merry. Rooted in social justice and gender equality, the Foundation is dedicated to empowering, educating, and protecting women and girls in the UK and globally. It addresses the neglect of gender-based violence and disparity by mainstream funders through flexible, trust-based grantmaking to frontline organisations. Its feminist ethos prioritises small, grassroots, often female-founded groups that are overlooked by traditional funding streams.
What Olwyn Foundation funds
The Foundation funds initiatives that end gender-based violence, advance gender equality, and support women's and girls' empowerment, education, and protection. This includes campaigns against FGM, domestic abuse law reform, rehousing homeless women, and youth-focused sex and relationships education. It backs direct services, advocacy, campaigns, capacity building, and structural interventions for intersectionally disadvantaged beneficiaries, including those facing violence, social exclusion, or youth vulnerabilities. The Foundation works across England and Wales as well as internationally.
Who can apply
Eligible organisations are small charities with proven impact, often female-founded and grassroots. The Foundation prioritises groups that are overlooked by mainstream funding and that serve intersectionally disadvantaged women and girls, including those facing violence, social exclusion, or youth vulnerabilities. There are no geographic restrictions; the Foundation funds work in England, Wales, and internationally. Grants are made to organisations only, not individuals.
What Olwyn Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation does not fund work that is conservative or not focused on women and girls. It also does not fund individuals or large non-governmental organisations. Work that does not align with progressive feminist values is unlikely to be supported.
How they like to fund
The Foundation practises trust-based grantmaking, offering flexible funding that can cover core costs, project costs, unrestricted support, and multi-year commitments. It works by invitation only, selecting and approaching partners rather than accepting unsolicited applications. The Foundation prioritises progressive partnerships that tackle root causes alongside symptoms, often through convening and resource-sharing.
How much does Olwyn 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 Olwyn Foundation
Olwyn 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
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Olwyn 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 Olwyn Foundation could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Olwyn Foundation provide?
Olwyn Foundation typically provides grants of £20,000 - £50,000.
Where does Olwyn Foundation fund charities?
Olwyn Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Olwyn Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Olwyn Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Olwyn Foundation?
Olwyn 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.
Browse related grants
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Could Olwyn Foundation be a fit?
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