Our funding

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life throughout the UK. We do this by funding the charitable activities of organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better. We take pride in supporting work that might otherwise be considered difficult to fund. Last year we committed approximately £30 million towards a wide range of work.

We channel our funding through two routes:

Main Fund

Our Main Fund distributes about two-thirds of our funding. Responsive to shifts in demand, it supports work that focuses on the UK’s cultural life, education, the natural environment and enabling people who are disadvantaged to participate more fully in society.  Go to Main Fund page.

Strands

We will also allocate funds to specific strands of work. These will change over time, but overall they express our desire to make a contribution in particular areas of interest. There is a separate application process for strands.  Go to Strands page.


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