About us

Who we are

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation was established in 1961 by Ian Fairbairn as a memorial to his wife Esmée. Today it is one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK.

Our aim is to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the UK both now and in the future.

What we do

We fund the charitable activities of organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better.

We like to consider work which others may find hard to fund, perhaps because it breaks new ground, appears too risky, requires core funding, or needs a more unusual form of financial help such as a loan. We also take initiatives ourselves where new thinking is required or where we believe there are important unexplored opportunities.

We aim to commit £30 million annually towards a wide range of work. Our primary interests are in the arts, education and learning, the environment and enabling disadvantaged people to participate fully in society.

Click here for examples of work we have funded.

Association of Charitable Foundations

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is a member of the Association of Charitable Foundations.

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