Wickens Family Foundation

The Wickens Family Foundation, established in July 2020 by trustees Roger Foster Wickens, Sarah Foster Wickens, and Rebecca Dawn Foster Wickens, is a private family grant-maker dedicated to supporting charities registered in England and Wales that assist disadvantaged young people and adults in the UK and worldwide. Rooted in an ethos of alleviating disadvantage, enhancing social mobility, and promoting wellbeing, it emphasizes impactful giving through direct interventions, with core values of supportiveness, inclusivity, and ethical philanthropy. Operating with a low public profile, the foundation relies on proactive trustee oversight to select grantees, fostering sustained support for vulnerable groups via robust governance, conflict policies, and safeguarding.

It funds thematic priorities including education, health, welfare, and social inclusion, backing both project-specific work and unrestricted or core costs for organizations delivering measurable outcomes in improving life chances. Beneficiaries are disadvantaged youth and adults facing adversity, with grants targeting practical support and direct services rather than broad advocacy.

Eligible applicants must be established UK-registered charities (primarily in England and Wales) with strong track records, robust governance, and capacity for impact; the foundation shows preference for medium to large organizations over grassroots groups and does not accept unsolicited applications—grants are awarded only to proactively identified entities. Geographic focus is UK-wide, with potential for aligned international projects.

Typical grant amounts and ranges are not publicly specified, though annual reports indicate substantial, ongoing giving without fixed deadlines or open rounds; decisions occur ad hoc via internal trustee processes. It excludes individuals, non-charities, and unaligned applicants, distinguishing itself through family-led, mission-focused philanthropy that prioritizes reliable, ethical support for proven charities advancing opportunity for the disadvantaged.