We fund across four main sectors – Arts, Children and Young People, Environment and Social Change – as well as through our Food funding strand. Across all our funding we aim to unlock and enable potential, back the unorthodox and unfashionable, build collective networks and catalyse system change.
We offer three types of support: grants, social investments and Grants Plus support.
Arts
Organisations at a pivotal point – organisationally or artistically
Development of emerging talent
Art as an instrument for social change, community cohesion or participation
Children and Young People
Social and emotional development of disadvantaged children and young people
The rights of vulnerable children and young people
Addressing the root causes of low educational attainment and challenging behaviour
Civic and political participation for young people under-represented in decision-making
Environment
Connecting people with nature
Large-scale conservation of natural environments on land and at sea
Countering the effects of damaging human activities
Lesser known plants, animals and organisms
Social Change
Participation – marginalised and excluded individuals and groups
Place – revitalising community life
Injustice – systemic change around injustice and inequality
Food
Local innovation in alternative approaches
Food and wellbeing
Working towards a more coherent food sector
Social investment
We provide social investment in various types of repayable finance with the aim of creating social impact and a financial return.
Our grants support organisations’ core or project costs, including staff salaries and overheads. We do not fund building or equipment costs, or individuals. 2014 grants ranged from £6k to £1.25m (median average £90,000), with support lasting 1 – 5 years (47% 3 years).
There are no deadlines – you can apply at anytime.
We have no restrictions on reapplying.
We have a two stage application process:
- 1st stage: apply online. We acknowledge by email within a week and decide whether to take it further within a month.
- 2nd stage: answer a set of questions from a Grants or Social Investment Manager. We make a decision in 2 – 4 months.
For more information and to apply go to the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation website
