Alan Davidson Foundation
Charity Number: 1160259
Contact Info
Website: https://alandavidsonfoundation.org
Phone: 020 7298 9524
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £1,992,801 (2023-24)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available - currently not accepting applications until 2027
- Decision Time: Not applicable (proactive grant-making approach)
- Grant Range: £1,500 - £1,275,000 (varies significantly by program)
- Geographic Focus: UK, with emphasis on Oxford, Edinburgh, and London-based projects
Contact Details
Website: https://alandavidsonfoundation.org
Email: admin@alandavidsonfoundation.org
Phone: 020 7298 9524
Address: Studio B, 21 Conduit Place, London, W2 1HS
Note: The Foundation is currently not accepting new applications and expects to review potential new funding opportunities in 2027.
Overview
The Alan Davidson Foundation was established in 2015 by Alan Hayes Davidson (1960-2018), a pioneering architect and founder of Hayes Davidson visualisation studio. Diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2012, Alan dedicated his final years to supporting research and care for those affected by neurological conditions. By his death in 2018, he had donated over £1 million to good causes. The Foundation is registered as a charity (number 1160259) in England and Wales, with total expenditure of £1,992,801 in 2023-24. The Foundation operates as one of the leading forces in the fight against MND while championing innovation in architecture and design. It takes a proactive, research-based approach to grant-making, typically identifying and approaching organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
1. Major MND Research Grants (£210,000 - £1,275,000)
- Multi-year commitments to cutting-edge research projects
- Example: £1.275M to MND-SMART trial (5-year investment, 2023)
- Example: £210,000+ to ACORN study at Oxford (renewed for 3 years)
- Funding approach: Proactive identification of ground-breaking research
2. The Davidson Prize (£25,000 total annually)
- Annual architecture ideas competition celebrating transformative housing design
- Three shortlisted teams receive £5,000 each
- Overall winner receives additional £10,000
- Open to multidisciplinary teams with at least one ARB or RIAI-registered architect
- Launched in 2020 with themes addressing contemporary housing challenges
3. University Scholarships (£10,000+ annually)
- University of Edinburgh: £10,000 annually supporting architecture students from low-income backgrounds through Access Edinburgh scheme
- Individual scholars receive £1,500 per year from Foundation (matched by university to £3,000 total) for 6-year degree
- One-off £1,000 student experience payment in first year
- Previously supported other institutions with similar programs
4. Cultural and Arts Grants (£20,000 - £60,000)
- Davidson PlayGC Bursary: £60,000 initial fund (2024)
- £20,000 annually to support emerging theatre writers
- First recipient: Royal Court Theatre in London (3-year commitment)
5. Co-Funding of Major Initiatives
- Longitude Prize on ALS (£7.5M total prize, Foundation as co-funder alongside MND Association, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, LifeArc, and others)
Priority Areas
Motor Neurone Disease and Neurological Conditions:
- Ground-breaking clinical research and trials
- Innovative approaches to finding cures and treatments
- Care services and support for people with MND and associated conditions
- Projects improving quality of life for those with disabling neurological conditions
Architecture and Design:
- Architectural education and student support (particularly for disadvantaged students)
- Innovation in housing design and transformative architecture
- Visual communication and architectural illustration
- Projects honoring Alan Davidson's legacy in architectural visualisation
Arts and Culture:
- Theatre writing and new work development
- Support for emerging creative talent
- Innovative cultural projects
What They Don't Fund
- The Foundation is not currently accepting unsolicited applications (as of 2025)
- Generally does not fund projects outside their core focus areas of MND/neurological conditions, architecture, and selective cultural initiatives
- No information suggests they fund general operational costs, capital appeals unrelated to their priorities, or international projects outside UK institutions
Governance and Leadership
The Foundation is governed by trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. According to Charity Commission records, the Foundation has 4 trustees and no employees earning over £60,000. The trustees launched The Davidson Prize in 2020 to honor Alan's legacy.
About the Founder:
Alan Hayes Davidson (1960-2018) attended Edinburgh University from 1978-1984, studying Fine Art and then Architecture. He founded Hayes Davidson in 1989, the UK's first CGI-based architectural visualisation practice, pioneering the field and collaborating with world-renowned architects including Richard Rogers, Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, and Thomas Heatherwick. Alan led the studio's transition to employee ownership in 2015, the same year he established the charitable foundation, committing the majority of his estate to good causes.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
Current Status (2025): The Foundation is fully committed to multi-year partnerships and grant agreements and is not accepting new funding applications. They expect to review potential new funding opportunities in 2027.
Historical Approach:
- Funding is typically awarded following careful research by the Foundation into organizations or projects
- Where alignment exists with the Foundation's aims, they may arrange meetings to explore work in more detail
- This suggests a proactive grant-making model rather than open application rounds
Exception - The Davidson Prize:
- Annual architecture competition with published application deadlines (typically January)
- Applications submitted via thedavidsonprize.com
- Open to multidisciplinary teams featuring at least one ARB or RIAI-registered architect
Decision Timeline
Not applicable for general grants due to proactive approach. For The Davidson Prize, winners are typically announced several months after the January deadline (historically around June).
Success Rates
Not publicly available. The Foundation's proactive approach to identifying grant recipients means traditional success rate metrics are not applicable.
Reapplication Policy
Not specified, though the Foundation's multi-year commitment approach and current closure to applications until 2027 suggests they focus on long-term partnerships rather than repeated applications.
Application Success Factors
Given the Foundation's proactive grant-making approach, organizations cannot currently apply. However, the following factors characterize successful partnerships:
For MND/Neurological Research:
- Ground-breaking, innovative research with potential for significant impact
- Strong institutional backing (e.g., University of Oxford, major research centers)
- Clear alignment with finding cures or improving care
- Multi-year research programs with measurable outcomes
- Track record of research excellence
For Architecture Programs:
- Connection to Alan Davidson's legacy (Edinburgh alumni, architectural visualisation, innovation)
- Support for disadvantaged students or emerging talent
- Focus on transformative, innovative design thinking
- Addressing contemporary challenges in housing and living
- Strong emphasis on visual communication
For Cultural Projects:
- Support for emerging talent and new work
- Innovation and creativity
- Clear outcomes and beneficiaries
Recent Funded Projects:
- MND-SMART trial (£1.275M, 2023) - platform trial increasing opportunities for people with MND across UK
- ACORN study at Oxford (renewed 3-year commitment) - tracking genetic markers before clinical signs emerge in inherited MND/FTD
- Davidson PlayGC Bursary at Royal Court Theatre (3-year commitment, £20,000/year)
- University of Edinburgh architecture scholarships for Access Edinburgh students
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Proactive approach: This Foundation identifies and approaches organizations rather than accepting applications. Building relationships and visibility in MND research or architectural education sectors may be more valuable than traditional application preparation.
- Multi-year thinking: The Foundation makes substantial, long-term commitments (3-5 years typical). They seek transformative impact rather than short-term projects.
- Not currently open: Check back in 2026/2027 for any updates on future funding opportunities. In the meantime, focus on building your organization's profile in their priority areas.
- Scale varies dramatically: Grants range from £1,500 annual scholarships to £1.275M research investments. The Foundation tailors funding to project needs and impact potential.
- Personal connection matters: Projects honoring Alan Davidson's legacy in architecture, supporting Edinburgh University (his alma mater), or advancing MND research (his diagnosis) appear particularly aligned with the Foundation's mission.
- Excellence and innovation required: All funded projects demonstrate cutting-edge approaches, whether in research methodology, architectural thinking, or cultural innovation.
- Institutional strength: Major grants go to established institutions with strong track records (Oxford, Edinburgh, Royal Court Theatre).
Similar Funders
These funders frequently fund the same charities:
- Bna Charitable Incorporated Organisation
- Prowting Charitable Foundation
- Richard Mackay Charitable Trust
- The Billmeir Charitable Trust
- The Fieldrose Charitable Trust
- The Folkington Trust
- The Freshfield Foundation
- The Nora Milburn Charitable Trust
- The Pamela Cordelia Smith Charitable Trust
- The Theodore Maxxy Charitable Trust
References
- Charity Commission Register of Charities - Alan Davidson Foundation (Charity 1160259)
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0®id=1160259
Accessed: January 2025
Source for: Financial data, governance structure, charity overview
- Alan Davidson Foundation Official Website
https://alandavidsonfoundation.org
Accessed: January 2025
Source for: Application status, contact details, funding priorities, committed funding
- Companies House - Alan Davidson Foundation (09351464)
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09351464
Accessed: January 2025
Source for: Incorporation details, registered address, officer information
- University of Edinburgh - “Alan Davidson Foundation establishes new scholarship to support Architecture students”
Accessed: January 2025
Source for: Scholarship details, funding amounts, eligibility criteria. Quote: “One of his final wishes was to support architectural students who showed promise and commitment to the study of architecture and who might otherwise be unable to fulfil their potential.”
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences - “Alan Davidson Foundation renews funding for ground-breaking motor neuron disease research at Oxford”
Accessed: January 2025
Source for: ACORN study funding, research details, £210,000 original gift
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre - "UK charity renews funding for Oxford's ground-breaking MND research"
https://oxfordbrc.nihr.ac.uk/uk-charity-renews-funding-for-oxfords-ground-breaking-mnd-research/
Accessed: January 2025
Source for: MND-SMART £1.275M investment details
- Royal Court Theatre - “The Davidson PlayGC Bursary: Supporting New Writing at the Royal Court”
https://royalcourttheatre.com/the-davidson-playgc-bursary-supporting-new-writing-at-the-royal-court/
Accessed: January 2025
Source for: Theatre bursary details, £60,000 fund, £20,000 annual awards
- The Davidson Prize Official Website
Accessed: January 2025
Source for: Prize structure, eligibility, application details
- Architects' Journal - "Davidson Prize 2025 offers £25,000 for 'cohesive' community housing concepts"
Accessed: January 2025
Source for: Prize amounts, competition themes
- Wikipedia - “Alan Hayes Davidson”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Hayes_Davidson
Accessed: January 2025
Source for: Biographical information, career achievements, founding of Hayes Davidson
- Longitude Prize on ALS
https://alandavidsonfoundation.org/committed-funding/longitude-prize-on-als/
Accessed: January 2025
Source for: Co-funding participation in major initiatives