Ako Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £185+ million total (since 2013)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not disclosed (proactive approach)
• Grant Range: Varies significantly (multi-year commitments)
• Geographic Focus: UK-based but international reach

Contact Details

• Website: www.akofoundation.org
• Email: enquiries@akofoundation.org
• Phone: 020 7070 2400
• Note: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

Established in 2013 by Nicolai Tangen, founder of AKO Capital, the AKO Foundation has distributed over £185 million in charitable grants across three core areas. The Foundation operates with a proactive grant-making approach, identifying and approaching potential beneficiaries rather than accepting applications. With assets exceeding £1.1 billion and connections to AKO Capital's profits, the Foundation maintains substantial resources for strategic charitable giving. The Foundation prides itself on lean administration, enabling fast decision-making and maximizing resources directed to beneficiaries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Education and Youth Wellbeing: Major multi-year commitments including endowed scholarships
• Arts Promotion: Support for cultural programs and arts education initiatives
• Climate Emergency: Focus on “coal-to-clean,” carbon disclosure, and natural solutions
• Application Method: Invitation-only, proactive identification of recipients

Priority Areas

• Educational access and improvement, particularly for underrepresented groups
• Youth wellbeing and development programs
• Arts, culture, heritage, and science advancement
• Climate change mitigation and environmental protection
• International development education projects

What They Don't Fund

• The Foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications
• No responsive grant-making program available
• Does not fund projects outside their three core focus areas

Ready to write a winning application for Ako Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Founder: Nicolai Tangen (former CEO, now heads Norwegian sovereign wealth fund)

Structure: UK registered charity (1151815) and company (08385711)

Board: Independent trustees including professionals with connections to Norway and AKO Capital

The Foundation's trustees emphasize long-term thinking mirroring AKO Capital's investment philosophy. As stated in their materials: “Mirroring the long-term thinking and investment strategy of AKO Capital, the Foundation aims to be a significant and reliable partner to its beneficiaries, and generally seeks multi-year relationships with them.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Critical: The AKO Foundation “does not seek applications for grants, and does not make grants in response to unsolicited applications.” The Foundation operates exclusively through proactive identification and invitation of potential recipients.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed due to proactive approach

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only model

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no open application process exists

Application Success Factors

Key Point: Traditional application success factors do not apply as the Foundation does not accept applications.

For Potential Recognition:

• Operating in alignment with Foundation priorities (education, arts, climate)
• Demonstrating significant impact potential in underserved communities
• International reach or addressing global challenges
• Innovation in educational access or climate solutions
• Strong organizational governance and financial management

Recent Funded Projects Include:

• Wharton School endowed scholarships and Tangen Hall construction
• Norwegian Refugee Council education programs in Nigeria
• OnSide Youth Zones employment programs
• Client Earth environmental litigation
• Energy Foundation China clean energy initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Application Process: The Foundation exclusively uses proactive grant-making - they find and approach organizations
• Long-term Partnership Model: Seeks multi-year relationships rather than one-off grants
• Unrestricted Support Available: Willing to provide flexible, unrestricted funding where appropriate
• Global Reach: Despite UK base, funds international projects aligned with priorities
• Staff Engagement: AKO Capital staff volunteer expertise beyond financial support
• Strategic Focus: Three clear priority areas with no deviation from core mission
• Network Approach: May be worth building relationships within educational, arts, and climate sectors where they're active

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Education Endowment Foundation
• THE 29TH MAY 1961 CHARITY
• Charity of Sir Richard Whittington
• THE HADLEY TRUST
• Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
• THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• P F Charitable Trust
• The Shanly Foundation
• Baron Davenport's Charity
• The Hiscox Foundation
• THE THOMAS J HORNE MEMORIAL TRUST
• SIR JOHN PRIESTMAN CHARITY TRUST
• FOWLER SMITH AND JONES TRUST
• The Green Hall Foundation
• THE SYNCONA FOUNDATION
• THE JAMES WEIR FOUNDATION
• THE EARL FITZWILLIAM CHARITABLE TRUST
• FOREST HILL CHARITABLE TRUST
• SMITH CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE CHAMPNISS FOUNDATION

References

• AKO Foundation Official Website: www.akofoundation.org
• UK Charity Commission Registration 1151815: register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk
• AKO Foundation Annual Reports 2019-2023: akofoundation.org
• OnSide Youth Zones Impact Story: onsideyouthzones.org (2024)
• BI Norwegian Business School Press Release: bi.edu (2021)
• AKO Capital Foundation Pages: akocapital.com