Avra Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,313,953 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: England, Wales, and Greece

Contact Details

• Address: 5 Hanover Square, London W1S 1HE
• Phone: 020 7016 3094
• Email: foundation@lemosbrothers.com
• Website: No public website identified

Overview

The AVRA FOUNDATION was registered as a UK charity (charity number 1178012) in 2018. The foundation is operated by the Lemos Brothers, Filippos and Andonis Lemos, who come from a prominent Greek shipping family. The foundation had total expenditure of £1,313,953 in 2024, funded entirely through donations and legacies. The foundation's mission encompasses environmental scientific research, conservation of the marine environment, improving healthcare for children with cancer, providing assistance to refugees and disadvantaged members of society severely affected by economic crises in Greece, and sponsoring cultural institutions and organizations. The foundation operates with three trustees and no paid staff, maintaining a lean organizational structure focused on charitable impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not appear to operate formal grant programs with published guidelines or open application processes. The foundation functions as a private family foundation that identifies and supports organizations aligned with its charitable purposes.

Priority Areas

• Marine Environment: Conservation of marine environments and environmental scientific research, particularly through support of organizations like Common Seas, which works to eliminate plastic pollution from oceans
• Children's Healthcare: Improving healthcare outcomes for children with cancer
• Refugee Support: Providing assistance to refugees, particularly in Greece
• Economic Crisis Relief: Supporting disadvantaged members of society severely affected by economic crises in Greece
• Cultural Heritage: Sponsoring cultural institutions and organizations, including Greek cultural initiatives
• Sustainable Development: Supporting initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Markets Initiative, which focuses on building a coordinated global effort to create a sustainable future for nature, people, and planet

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions have not been publicly documented. As a private foundation with broad charitable objects defined as “such exclusively charitable purposes as the trustees may in their absolute discretion determine,” the foundation maintains flexibility in its grant-making decisions.

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Governance and Leadership

The AVRA FOUNDATION is governed by three trustees. Key figures associated with the foundation include:

• Filippos Lemos: Co-founder of the Avra Foundation and co-chair of the Enesel Group, which operates across shipping, commercial real estate, and private equity. Filippos is also a co-founder and major donor to Common Seas, an organization working to eradicate plastic pollution from oceans.

• Andonis Lemos: Co-founder of the Avra Foundation alongside his brother Filippos. Andonis shares leadership of the family business and philanthropic endeavors.

The Lemos Brothers have stated: "Our family's history has been forged at sea through our origins, business, and passion. Solving the ocean plastic crisis requires a systemic approach and willingness to partner with others."

The foundation maintains transparent governance with no trustees receiving remuneration, no trading subsidiaries, and no employees with benefits exceeding £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The AVRA FOUNDATION does not appear to accept unsolicited applications through a public application process. The foundation operates as a private grant-making foundation that identifies and approaches organizations aligned with its charitable priorities.

Organizations interested in potential support may contact the foundation directly via email at foundation@lemosbrothers.com or by phone at 020 7016 3094.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available, as the foundation does not operate an open competitive grant process.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies have not been publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of the foundation's grant-making, the following factors appear to be important for organizations seeking potential support:

• Alignment with Greek Interests: Strong emphasis on projects benefiting Greece or Greek cultural heritage, particularly those addressing economic crisis impacts and supporting vulnerable populations

• Environmental Focus: Clear marine conservation credentials, particularly initiatives addressing ocean plastic pollution and marine ecosystem protection

• Partnership Approach: The Lemos Brothers emphasize systemic approaches and willingness to partner with others, suggesting collaborative initiatives may be favored

• Strategic Impact: Support for organizations that align with broader initiatives such as the Sustainable Markets Initiative and sustainable development goals

Recent Funded Projects: The foundation served as an Associate Funder for “Ancient Greeks: Science and Wisdom” exhibition at the Science Museum London (17 November 2021 - 5 June 2022), part of the UK-Greece cultural programme marking the bicentenary of Greek Independence in 2021.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The AVRA FOUNDATION operates as a private family foundation rather than an open grant-maker, making unsolicited applications unlikely to be successful

• The foundation's priorities strongly reflect the Lemos family's Greek heritage and maritime business background, with particular emphasis on marine conservation and Greek causes

• Organizations working on ocean plastic pollution, particularly through Common Seas or related initiatives, may have natural alignment with the foundation's interests

• The foundation maintains an exceptionally lean structure with no paid staff, suggesting grant-making decisions are made directly by the trustees

• Cultural initiatives celebrating Greek heritage, scientific research, and environmental protection appear to resonate with the foundation's mission

• Direct relationship-building with the foundation through their contact details may be the most appropriate approach for organizations with strong alignment to their priorities

• The foundation's support of the Sustainable Markets Initiative suggests interest in systemic solutions addressing sustainability challenges

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales. “AVRA FOUNDATION - Charity 1178012.” Register of Charities. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1178012&subid=0

• Common Seas. “Andonis Lemos - Team.” https://www.commonseas.com/about/team/andonis-lemos

• Common Seas. “Filippos Lemos - Team.” https://www.commonseas.com/about/team/filippos-lemos

• Cambridge Centre for Greek Studies. “Ancient Greek Science at the Science Museum in London.” https://www.ccgs.csah.cam.ac.uk/news/ancient-greek-science-science-museum-london

• Science Museum. “Ancient Greeks: Science and Wisdom.” https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/ancient-greeks-science-and-wisdom

• Lux Magazine. “Seven leading philanthropy projects for the oceans.” https://www.lux-mag.com/seven-leading-philanthropy-projects-for-the-oceans/

• Lloyd's List. “Lemos brothers donate to Save the Children vessel.” https://www.lloydslist.com/LL024291/Lemos-brothers-donate-to-Save-the-Children-vessel