Axis Foundation

Charity Number: 1126117

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M
Geographic Focus: Throughout London

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £500,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £15,000 (exceptional cases may exceed)
  • Geographic Focus: London, South East, Midlands, North West England

Contact Details

Website: https://axisfoundation.org

Phone: 020 7564 2100

Application Portal: https://axisfoundation.org/apply/

Overview

Founded in 2008 by John Hayes, CEO of Axis Europe Plc, the Axis Foundation is the charitable arm of Axis, a family-owned property services contractor. Since beginning grant-making in 2009, the Foundation has donated over £3 million to more than 400 small, local causes. With an annual giving of approximately £500,000, the Foundation focuses on supporting disadvantaged, vulnerable, and disabled individuals and communities. The charity emphasizes providing “grants as a long term hand up, not a short term handout” to enable causes to become self-sustaining. In 2024, the Foundation donated £500,000 to 50+ causes and individuals. Founder John Hayes was awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours 2024 for charitable services. The Foundation won the Business Foundation Award in 2018.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single grant program with rolling applications through an online portal. Most grants range from £1,000 to £15,000, though exceptional cases may receive higher amounts, particularly when the Foundation can match funds secured from other sources.

Recent Grant Examples:

  • £9,700 to Burnside Centre for Forest School creation
  • £7,000 to Manchester Urban Diggers for water harvesting system
  • £4,965 to Woodlarks Camp Site Trust for accessible tent
  • £4,000 to Christ Church CofE Primary School for accessible facilities
  • £3,500 to Urban Forest Tribe for sensory features at SEND school
  • £3,400 to Hamble Independent Lifeboat for safety helmets
  • £2,500 to Mama2Mama Baby Essentials for families in crisis
  • £2,500 to Kelvedon Hatch Village Hall for rewiring
  • £2,000 to Bexhill Men's Shed for sustainability
  • £1,000 to Saint Ambrose Barlow Church for warm packs

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports projects that:

  • Improve lives of disadvantaged residents in communities
  • Support improvement and maintenance of social housing
  • Promote education, training, and skills development
  • Fund youth diversion programmes
  • Assist individuals with disabilities
  • Support vulnerable and isolated individuals
  • Provide community infrastructure improvements
  • Enable small, local causes with measurable community impact

What They Don't Fund

  • Core organizational running costs
  • Salary expenses
  • National appeals
  • Non-inclusive projects
  • Political projects
  • Animal welfare projects
  • Projects outside the UK
  • Projects requiring repeat funding
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • John Hayes - Founder and Trustee, CEO of Axis Europe Plc. Awarded MBE in 2024 for charitable services. Hayes stated the Foundation has exceeded his “wildest expectations” in helping small, local, and impactful causes.
  • Peter Varney - Chairman of the Board of Trustees, brings considerable experience in charity administration and governance
  • Alan Curbishley - First Patron (since 2014), former Premier League manager
  • Mick Hayes - Company Secretary, senior manager and leader in charitable, public, and commercial sectors
  • Tim Hayes - Trustee since inception (2009), Managing Director of Maintenance at Axis
  • Joe Ibrahim - Founding Trustee, Managing Director of Projects at Axis
  • Claire Pearce - Divisional Finance Controller, newest trustee
  • Maurice Gertski - Wealth management professional

The Foundation has 7 trustees and 11 volunteers, with no paid employees receiving benefits over £60,000.

How to Apply to Axis Foundation

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online form at https://axisfoundation.org/apply/. The application operates on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. Applicants should provide comprehensive details in the application form, as this information helps the Foundation make funding decisions.

Eligible Applicants:

  • Registered Charities
  • Limited Companies
  • Community Interest Companies
  • Community Organizations
  • Individuals

Application Requirements:

  • Organization purpose and background
  • Detailed project description
  • Evidence of clear project need
  • Expected outcomes and impact on end users
  • Total project cost breakdown
  • Number of people benefiting
  • Project location
  • Post-project reporting commitment

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation reviews applications on a rolling basis.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The Foundation supported 50+ causes in 2024 from its annual £500,000 budget.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation explicitly states they will not fund “projects requiring repeat funding,” indicating they focus on one-time grants rather than ongoing support. Information about unsuccessful applicants reapplying is not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and guidance:

Evidence-Based Applications: The Foundation explicitly states “applications have a much better chance of success if applicants can evidence the need for the project and the outcomes they expect to achieve.” Clear documentation of need and expected impact is critical.

Measurable Impact: Applications must demonstrate "measurable impact on people's lives." The Foundation wants to see concrete, quantifiable outcomes that show how the grant will make a difference.

Self-Sustainability: The Foundation emphasizes providing “grants as a long term hand up, not a short term handout to enable causes to become self-sustaining.” Projects should show how they will become sustainable beyond the initial grant.

Impact on End Users: “The impact on end users must be clearly stated.” Applications should focus on the direct beneficiaries and how their lives will improve.

Small, Local, and Impactful: The Foundation's tagline emphasizes supporting “small, local and impactful causes.” Projects should demonstrate strong local community connection and significance despite their size.

Community Improvement Focus: Given the Foundation's mission around “improving the lives of disadvantaged residents of communities,” projects serving disadvantaged, vulnerable, or disabled populations appear particularly well-aligned.

Inclusive Projects: Projects must be “fully inclusive” to be considered for funding.

Match Funding Opportunities: The Foundation “may match funds against funding secured from other sources” in exceptional circumstances, so demonstrating other funding secured may strengthen applications for larger amounts.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Prioritize evidence and outcomes: Applications must provide clear evidence of need and expected measurable outcomes. Vague or aspirational applications are unlikely to succeed.
  • Stay within the typical range: Most grants are £1,000-£15,000. Applications at the higher end should demonstrate exceptional circumstances or match funding from other sources.
  • Focus on sustainability: Show how the project will become self-sustaining beyond the grant period. The Foundation wants to provide a “hand up, not a handout.”
  • Emphasize local community impact: The Foundation strongly favors small, local causes serving communities where Axis operates (London, South East, Midlands, North West).
  • Serve disadvantaged populations: Projects supporting disadvantaged, vulnerable, or disabled individuals appear to align best with the Foundation's mission.
  • Avoid restricted categories: Do not apply for core costs, salaries, national appeals, non-inclusive projects, political projects, animal welfare, or projects requiring repeat funding.
  • Rolling applications work in your favor: With no fixed deadlines, you can apply when your project is ready, but ensure you allow time for decision-making before project start dates.

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