Aeonian Foundation

Charity Number: 1196957

Annual Expenditure: £2.6M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2,625,887 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (strategic matching fund partner)
  • Decision Time: Via Big Give campaigns only
  • Grant Range: Not disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: Africa and environmental causes (via match funding)

Contact Details

Address: Menzies LLP, 18-32 London Road, Staines-upon-Thames, Middlesex TW18 4BP

Phone: 01784 497100

Email: lynda@aeonianfoundation.org.uk

Note: The foundation does not operate an open application process. They fund via strategic match-funding partnerships.

Overview

The Aeonian Foundation is a UK-registered charitable incorporated organisation established in December 2021 (Charity Number: 1196957). With charitable expenditure of £2,625,887 in 2024 and total income of £811,504 (primarily from investments), the foundation operates as a strategic grant-maker focused on funding organisations working across Africa and supporting environmental causes. Rather than accepting direct applications, the foundation operates exclusively through match-funding campaigns, serving as a Champion funder for The Big Give's Christmas Challenge and Green Match Fund initiatives. The foundation maintains significant investment holdings (£3,032,173 in investment gains in 2024) to sustain its long-term grant-making capacity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Aeonian Foundation does not operate traditional grant programs with open applications. Instead, it functions as a strategic match-funding partner through The Big Give platform.

Match Funding Participation:

  • Christmas Challenge 2023: Raised £245,575 total (£74,890 in match funding)
  • Green Match Fund 2025: £48,500 match fund commitment (total raised £101,000)

Application Method: Not applicable - the foundation does not accept direct applications. Organisations can only benefit from Aeonian Foundation funding by participating in Big Give campaigns where the foundation serves as a Champion funder.

Priority Areas

Based on their match-funding participation:

  • Africa-focused organisations: Described as “funding a portfolio of organisations working across Africa”
  • Environmental conservation: Active participant in Green Match Fund supporting nature and climate initiatives
  • General charitable purposes: Operating throughout England and Wales with broad discretionary charitable purposes

What They Don't Fund

Given their strategic approach, the foundation does not:

  • Accept unsolicited grant applications
  • Fund organisations outside of their chosen match-funding campaigns
  • Provide direct grants to organisations that are not participating in Big Give campaigns where they serve as Champion
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Andrew John Pegg - Chair (appointed 6 December 2021)
  • Jeremy David Hawkey - Trustee (appointed 6 December 2021)
  • Myriam Caroline White - Trustee (appointed 6 December 2021)
  • Catherine Sarah Smith - Trustee (appointed 25 August 2025)
  • Suneer Jabeen Fida - Trustee (appointed 25 August 2025, also trustee of MHIVE charity)
  • Kevin Ronald Underwood - Trustee (appointed 25 August 2025)

The foundation employs one staff member and no trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Aeonian Foundation does not operate an open application process. Organisations cannot apply directly for funding.

The only way to potentially benefit from Aeonian Foundation funding is to:

  1. Register for Big Give campaigns (Christmas Challenge or Green Match Fund)
  2. Hope that the Aeonian Foundation has chosen to participate as a Champion funder for that campaign
  3. Successfully raise donations during the campaign period when match funding is available

Decision Timeline

Not applicable. The foundation makes strategic decisions about which match-funding campaigns to support, rather than evaluating individual grant applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the foundation's strategic match-funding model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable as there is no application process.

Application Success Factors

This foundation is not suitable for organisations seeking direct grant funding.

The Aeonian Foundation operates a unique strategic model:

  • No direct applications accepted: Unlike traditional grant-makers, this foundation selects its funding partnerships at a strategic level
  • Match-funding focus: All giving occurs through doubling public donations during specific Big Give campaigns
  • Pre-selected causes: The foundation appears to pre-determine its focus areas (Africa, environment) and participates in campaigns aligned with these priorities
  • Platform-based giving: All funding flows through The Big Give platform during time-limited campaigns

For organisations in the foundation's priority areas (Africa-focused work, environmental conservation), the best strategy is to:

  • Register and participate in relevant Big Give campaigns
  • Build strong fundraising campaigns that attract public donations
  • Maximise the match funding available during campaign periods

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is not a traditional grant-maker: Do not attempt to submit grant applications directly to this foundation
  • Strategic match-funder only: The foundation operates exclusively through Big Give match-funding campaigns
  • Africa and environment focus: Based on their 2023-2025 participation, these are key priority areas
  • Substantial resources: With nearly £2.6 million in charitable expenditure annually, they have significant capacity
  • Investment-driven model: The foundation generates income primarily through investments to sustain long-term giving
  • No public application guidelines: This reflects their strategic, non-open approach to grant-making
  • Consider Big Give campaigns: If your organisation works in Africa or on environmental causes, participating in Big Give campaigns (Christmas Challenge or Green Match Fund) may provide access to this funding source indirectly

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