Barham Benevolent Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £275,987 (2024/25)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Individual hardship grants to full PhD studentships (estimated £60,000-£80,000 per studentship)
• Geographic Focus: UK, primarily supporting dairy industry employees and dairy research institutions

Contact Details

Address: 8 Stumps End, Bosham, Chichester, PO18 8RB

Email: mcook1158@googlemail.com

Phone: 07875313365

Charity Number: 249922

Website: No public website

Overview

The Barham Benevolent Foundation was established on 1st January 1918 through a trust deed to support employees in the milk business. Connected to the prominent Barham family (including George Titus Barham, a major figure in London's dairy industry through Express Dairy Company), the foundation continues over a century of philanthropic work supporting the dairy sector. With total income of £173,325 and total expenditure of £275,987 in the 2024/25 financial year, the foundation operates a dual mission: providing hardship grants to individuals working in dairy-related businesses and funding research bursaries at universities for dairy-related subjects. The foundation has established a strong partnership with Harper Adams University and the Royal Veterinary College, funding multiple PhD studentships focused on dairy cow health, welfare, and management. The trust deed was amended by resolution on 24 May 2016 to modernize its operations while maintaining its original charitable purpose.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Hardship Grants

• Purpose: Financial support for employees in dairy-related businesses experiencing hardship
• Amount: Not publicly disclosed
• Application: Contact the foundation directly

PhD Studentships and Research Bursaries

• Purpose: Full three-year PhD studentships for dairy-related research at UK universities
• Amount: Estimated £60,000-£80,000 per three-year studentship (based on typical UK PhD funding covering fees and stipend)
• Recent examples include studentships at Harper Adams University and Royal Veterinary College
• Application: Typically arranged through university partnerships

Academic Lectureships

• The foundation funds at least one named lectureship position: the “Barham Benevolent Foundation Lecturer in Farm Animal Health and Welfare” at the Royal Veterinary College, held by Dr. Sophie Mahendran

Priority Areas

Dairy Industry Support

• Welfare and hardship relief for employees, workers, and individuals involved in the milk and dairy business
• Support for those facing financial difficulties within the dairy sector

Dairy Research Excellence

• Dairy cow nutrition and management
• Dairy calf health and welfare
• Social science research into dairy farming practices
• Bovine health during transition periods
• Housing impacts on calf wellbeing
• Farmer decision-making in dairy operations

What They Don't Fund

• Research unrelated to dairy or milk production
• Hardship cases outside the dairy industry
• General agricultural research not specifically focused on dairy
• Capital projects or building development
• Organizations outside the UK

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by five trustees who oversee grant-making decisions:

• Michael Geoffrey Cook - Chair (contact: mcook1158@googlemail.com)
• Jeremy James Rixon - Trustee (appointed 12 November 2019)
• Robin Gabbitas BA - Trustee (appointed 24 May 2016)
• Lionel Gossling - Trustee (appointed 24 May 2016)
• Graham L Flight - Trustee

The foundation operates with no employees and relies on trustee governance. One or more trustees receive payments or benefits for providing services to the charity. The trustees maintain the foundation's focus on supporting the dairy industry through both immediate hardship relief and long-term investment in dairy research.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion and established relationships rather than open calls for applications.

For Individual Hardship Grants: Individuals in the dairy industry experiencing hardship should contact the Chair, Michael Cook, directly via email (mcook1158@googlemail.com) or phone (07875313365) to discuss their circumstances.

For Research Funding: The foundation appears to work through established partnerships with specific universities rather than accepting unsolicited research proposals. Known partner institutions include:

• Harper Adams University
• Royal Veterinary College
• University of Nottingham

Universities seeking to establish partnerships for dairy research funding should contact the trustees directly.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the small trustee board and absence of formal application cycles, decisions are likely made on a case-by-case basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly stated. Given the discretionary nature of grants, individuals should contact the foundation directly to discuss reapplication.

Application Success Factors

For Individual Hardship Grants:

• Direct connection to the dairy industry - employment or work in milk/dairy-related businesses is essential
• Clear demonstration of genuine financial hardship or need
• Personal contact with trustees to explain circumstances

For Research Funding:

• Strong focus on practical applications benefiting dairy cow health, welfare, or productivity
• Interdisciplinary approaches combining natural and social sciences are valued, as evidenced by funded projects examining farmer decision-making and social factors
• Research that addresses current industry challenges (e.g., calf housing practices, transition period health)
• Institutional partnerships with universities having strong dairy research programs

Recent Funded Projects Include:

• Emma Hutcheon (Harper Adams): “Social factors that influence health in the transition period” - combining natural and social science methods to improve dairy cow nutrition and management
• Laura Palczynski (Harper Adams): “A qualitative social science investigation of UK dairy calf health and welfare” - using interviews and focus groups with farmers and veterinarians
• Priya Motupalli (Harper Adams): “The motivation of dairy cows for access to pasture”
• Sophie Mahendran (Royal Veterinary College): “Calf housing and health in the UK” - assessing impacts of different housing systems on calf health and wellbeing

These examples demonstrate the foundation's interest in research that directly addresses practical dairy farming concerns while advancing scientific understanding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - this foundation works through trustee discretion and established relationships, not open grant rounds
• Sector-specific focus - exclusively supports the dairy industry; applicants must have clear connections to milk/dairy business
• Two distinct funding streams - individual hardship relief for dairy workers and research funding for universities
• University partnerships preferred - research funding flows through established institutional relationships, particularly Harper Adams and RVC
• Practical research valued - funded projects address real-world dairy farming challenges with potential for knowledge transfer to industry
• Direct contact essential - without a formal application process, building relationships with trustees (particularly Chair Michael Cook) is critical
• Long-term research commitment - the foundation funds complete three-year PhD studentships, showing commitment to sustained research excellence in dairy science

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Betty Lawes Foundation
• Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust
• The Anthony V Martin Charitable Foundation
• The Ostacchini Family Charitable Trust
• CLA Charitable Trust
• The Heinz, Anna and Carol Kroch Foundation
• The Farmers' Company Charitable Fund
• The Graham Kirkham Foundation
• Perry Foundation
• The Morley Agricultural Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register. (2024). “Barham Benevolent Foundation - 249922.” Retrieved from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/249922
• Harper Adams University. “Barham Benevolent Foundation Scholar: Emma Hutcheon.” Retrieved from https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/blog/post/1483/barham-benevolent-foundation-scholar-emma-hutcheon
• Harper Adams University. “Barham Benevolent Fund sponsorship for PhD student.” Retrieved from https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/202771/barham-benevolent-fund-sponsorship-for-phd-student
• Royal Veterinary College. “PhD studentship funding awarded from the Barham Benevolent Foundation.” Retrieved from https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/news/general/phd-studentship-funding-awarded-from-the-barham-benevolent-foundation
• Turn2us Grants Search. “Barham Benevolent Foundation.” Retrieved from https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/barham-benevolent-foundation-12614
• Charity Commission Register. “Trustees, Barham Benevolent Foundation - 249922.” Retrieved from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/249922/trustees