Sue Thomson Foundation
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- Typical grants
- £100,000 – £220,000
- Applications
- By invitation only
- Decisions
- As needed
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Sue Thomson Foundation
The Sue Thomson Foundation is an endowed charitable trust established in 1988 by Susan Mitchell, known in publishing as Sue Thomson. It is dedicated to delivering life-changing educational opportunities for talented children from financially or socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Rooted in the founder's personal connection to Christ's Hospital, an independent boarding school, the Foundation advances education, health, and poverty relief by nominating and funding 'presentees'—children needing bursaries to access the school's transformative academic, care, and welfare environment. Its values emphasise long-term investment in individual potential, sustainability through a diversified endowment, and precise alignment with the founder's vision. The Foundation exclusively supports full-time boarding bursaries and related welfare costs at Christ's Hospital for UK-resident children, typically from regions like East Sussex, Surrey, West Sussex, and London, though without rigid geographic limits. It channels nearly all grants directly or indirectly to the school, prioritising sustained interventions for pupils with high potential facing barriers. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; funding occurs via a closed, invitation-only nomination process in consultation with Christ's Hospital. The Foundation excludes general charities, projects, core funding, or organisations without direct ties to its presentees, setting it apart through its hyper-focused, non-competitive model and enduring commitment to one institution.
What Sue Thomson Foundation funds
The Foundation funds full-time boarding bursaries and related welfare costs at Christ's Hospital for UK-resident children. It supports talented children from financially or socially disadvantaged backgrounds, typically from regions such as East Sussex, Surrey, West Sussex, and London, though without rigid geographic limits. The focus is on sustained interventions for pupils with high potential facing barriers, with nearly all grants directed to the school. The Foundation advances education, health, and poverty relief through this single-beneficiary model.
Who can apply
The Foundation supports children, known as 'presentees', who are nominated through a closed, invitation-only process in consultation with Christ's Hospital. Beneficiaries are UK-resident children from financially or socially disadvantaged backgrounds, typically from East Sussex, Surrey, West Sussex, and London. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; funding is directed exclusively to individuals attending Christ's Hospital. Organisations without direct ties to the Foundation's presentees are not eligible.
What Sue Thomson Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation does not fund general charities, projects, core funding, or organisations without direct ties to Christ's Hospital presentees. It excludes any activities outside its hyper-focused model of supporting full-time boarding bursaries at the school.
How they like to fund
The Foundation funds via a closed, invitation-only nomination process in consultation with Christ's Hospital. It provides multi-year bursary commitments to several pupils, with nearly all grants directed to the school. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.
How much does Sue Thomson 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 Sue Thomson Foundation
Sue Thomson 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 Sue Thomson 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 Sue Thomson Foundation could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Sue Thomson Foundation provide?
Sue Thomson Foundation typically provides grants of £100,000 - £220,000.
Where does Sue Thomson Foundation fund charities?
Sue Thomson Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Sue Thomson Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Sue Thomson Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Sue Thomson Foundation?
Sue Thomson 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.
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