Atkin Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £699,784 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £125,000 (based on historical grants)
• Geographic Focus: England

Contact Details

• Email: info@atkinfoundation.org
• Phone: 07932279494
• Address: 16 Rosemont Road, London NW3 6NE
• Charity Number: 1112925
• Website: atkinfoundation.org (SSL certificate expired at time of research)

Application Method: All applications must be submitted via email, not by post.

Overview

The Atkin Charitable Foundation was registered with the Charity Commission on 6 February 2006. Founded by entrepreneur Edward Atkin following the sale of his baby care manufacturing business Cannon Avent to Philips for £460 million in 2006, the foundation supports a wide variety of creative and cultural activities. With annual expenditure of approximately £700,000, the foundation focuses on the relief of distress, the protection of health, and the advancement of education, the arts, culture, heritage and science. Edward Atkin, worth an estimated £267 million according to The Sunday Times Rich List 2019, was among the top 200 donors listed by The Sunday Times in 2017. The foundation operates with broad charitable purposes that give trustees considerable discretion in selecting which causes and organisations to support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant programme without distinct streams or fixed deadlines. Applications are submitted on a rolling basis via email to info@atkinfoundation.org.

Grant Amounts: Historical grants have ranged from £5,000 to £125,000, with several grants in the £20,000 range. According to the Directory of Grant Making Trusts, typical grants range from £10,000 to £20,000.

Priority Areas

The foundation's charitable objects cover:

• Education: Advancement of education at all levels
• Arts, Culture, and Heritage: Support for creative and cultural activities
• Science: Advancement of scientific knowledge and research
• Health: Protection of health and medical research
• Relief of Distress: Support for vulnerable populations including elderly, disabled, and those in poverty
• General Charitable Purposes: Trustees have discretion to support other charitable activities

Beneficiary Groups: Children and young people, elderly persons, people with disabilities, other charities and voluntary bodies, and the general public.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly stated. The foundation appears to have historically focused on:

• Policy think tanks and research institutes
• International affairs and security issues
• Jewish community organisations
• Academic research programs

Prospective applicants should contact the foundation directly to confirm eligibility.

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

• Edward Atkin - Founder and Trustee. Entrepreneur and businessman who sold Avent to Philips in 2006.
• Celia Janet Atkin - Trustee
• Lara Eliza Atkin - Trustee
• Ross Jacob Atkin - Trustee
• Charlotte Lucy Elizabeth Lawrence - Trustee
• Roderick Johannes Carlton - Trustee

Leadership Insights

Edward Atkin has been quoted saying: “The biggest single reason why entrepreneurs start their own business is because they do not like being told by anyone what to do.” This entrepreneurial mindset may inform the foundation's approach to supporting innovative and independent charitable organisations.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: All applications must be submitted via email to info@atkinfoundation.org. Postal applications are not accepted.

No online portal or formal application form is specified in public sources. Applicants should include standard grant application information:

• Organisation details and charity registration number
• Project description and objectives
• Budget and amount requested
• Expected outcomes and impact
• Organisational accounts

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Prospective applicants should inquire about typical decision timeframes when submitting their application.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Applicants should inquire directly with the foundation about reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

Historical Funding Patterns

The foundation has supported:

• The Henry Jackson Society - £375,000 between 2011-2013 (foreign policy think tank)
• Global Warming Policy Foundation - £20,000 annually between 2012-2016 (policy research)
• New Israel Fund - Listed as significant activity in 2008
• United Jewish Israel Appeal - Regular support
• Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)
• Atkin Fellowship at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King's College

Key Observations

1. Policy and Research Focus: The foundation has historically funded think tanks, policy institutes, and academic research programs, particularly in areas of international affairs and security.

1. Multi-year Support: Several organisations received sustained support over multiple years, suggesting the foundation values long-term partnerships.

1. Substantial Grants: While typical grants are £10,000-£20,000, the foundation has made significantly larger grants (£125,000 to a single organisation) for projects aligned with trustee priorities.

1. Trustee Discretion: The broad charitable objects give trustees wide latitude, making alignment with current trustee interests crucial.

1. Jewish Community Connection: Several funded organisations serve Jewish community interests, suggesting this may be a funding priority.

Advice for Applicants

• Make Direct Contact: With limited public information available, engaging with the foundation via email to discuss potential fit before submitting a full application is advisable.

• Demonstrate Impact: Given the entrepreneurial background of the founder, applications that demonstrate clear outcomes, innovation, and strategic thinking may resonate.

• Arts and Culture: The stated mission emphasises arts, culture, and heritage, yet publicly available examples focus on policy research. Organisations in creative sectors should inquire about current priorities.

• Be Specific: Without formal application guidelines, clear, concise proposals with specific budget requests and measurable outcomes will stand out.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Email-Only Applications: Do not submit postal applications. Use info@atkinfoundation.org exclusively.

• Broad Discretion: Trustees have wide latitude in funding decisions. Research current interests before applying.

• Multi-Year Potential: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to support organisations over multiple years for aligned projects.

• Grant Size Flexibility: While typical grants are £10,000-£20,000, significantly larger grants are possible for strategically important projects.

• Limited Public Information: Much operational detail is not publicly available. Direct engagement with the foundation is essential to understand current priorities, timelines, and requirements.

• Geographic Scope: Focus is on England. Organisations outside England should confirm eligibility.

• Relationship-Based: The foundation appears to operate relationship-based grantmaking. Building rapport with trustees may be beneficial.

• Formal Requirements: As a small foundation with low income (£35,604 in 2024) but high expenditure (£699,784), the foundation may be drawing on reserves or endowment. Understanding the foundation's current financial strategy and grantmaking capacity is important.

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: Atkin Charitable Foundation (1112925) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1112925 []
• Find That Charity: GB-CHC-1112925 - https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1112925 []
• Giving is Great: Atkin Charitable Foundation Factsheet - https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1112925 []
• Powerbase: Atkin Charitable Foundation - https://powerbase.info/index.php/Atkin_Charitable_Foundation []
• Wikipedia: Edward Atkin - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Atkin []
• Charity Choice: Atkin Charitable Foundation Directory - https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/atkin-charitable-foundation-45112 []
• Directory of Social Change: Directory of Grant Making Trusts 2022/23