Bates Wells Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £102,829 (2024)
• Success Rate: 10.8% (10 finalists from 92 applications)
• Decision Time: 3-4 months
• Grant Range: £2,500 - £25,000
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom

Contact Details

• Website: www.stephenlloydawards.org
• Email: info@stephenlloydawards.org
• Phone: 020 7551 7777
• Address: Bates Wells, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE

Overview

The Bates Wells Foundation (Charity Number 1150321) was established in 2015 in memory of Stephen Lloyd, an inspirational lawyer who died in August 2014. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed over £800,000 to innovative social enterprises and charitable initiatives across the UK. The Foundation operates primarily through the Stephen Lloyd Awards, its flagship annual grant program that seeks to identify and nurture innovative ideas and projects capable of creating practical, sustainable social change. With annual giving of approximately £103,000 and support from Bates Wells law firm and a network of donors, the Foundation focuses on early-stage innovations addressing systemic social problems.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Stephen Lloyd Awards Winner: £25,000 (one award annually)
• Stephen Lloyd Awards Finalists: Up to £2,500 (up to 10 awards annually)
• Employee Matched Giving: Variable amounts matched through employee fundraising initiatives
• Application method: Annual competition with fixed deadline (typically May)

Priority Areas

• Early-stage social innovations
• Projects addressing systemic social problems
• Social enterprises and start-ups
• Environmental sustainability initiatives
• Criminal justice reform
• Community renewable energy
• Support for vulnerable populations
• Child welfare and protection

What They Don't Fund

• Established large charity organizations (preference for start-ups)
• Projects without systemic change potential
• Non-UK based organizations or individuals
• Projects lacking innovation or novelty
• Initiatives without sustainable social impact plans

Ready to write a winning application for Bates Wells Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with 10 trustees, including partners from Bates Wells law firm:

• Rob Oakley - Partner and former head of Dispute Resolution at Bates Wells
• Chetal Patel - Partner and head of Immigration at Bates Wells
• Mona Rahman - Projects Manager and driving force behind Foundation programmes

The Foundation maintains 98 volunteers who support the assessment and review process for the Stephen Lloyd Awards.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications open annually in March through the Stephen Lloyd Awards website (www.stephenlloydawards.org). Applicants must submit their proposals via email to info@stephenlloydawards.org by the deadline (typically mid-May). The application requires details about the innovation, evidence of need, impact potential, track record, and budget planning.

Decision Timeline

• March: Applications open
• Mid-May: Application deadline (24:00 GMT)
• May-July: Two-stage review process by 90+ volunteer assessors
• August: Finalists announced
• October/November: Winners announced at awards ceremony

Success Rates

Based on 2023 data:

• 92 applications received
• 10 finalists selected (10.8% success rate to finalist stage)
• 4 main winners chosen from finalists
• Total of 14 organizations receiving funding

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation has not published specific restrictions on reapplications. Organizations that were not successful are encouraged to refine their proposals and reapply in subsequent years.

Application Success Factors

Successful applications demonstrate:

• Novel approaches to systemic social problems rather than traditional service delivery
• Clear evidence of need backed by research or lived experience
• Sustainable business or funding models beyond the award
• Strong leadership with relevant expertise or lived experience
• Potential for replication and scaling
• Early-stage status (start-ups preferred over established charities)
• UK-based operations with clear beneficiary groups

Recent winners like Getting Clean (led by recovering addicts), Local Energy Systems (AI for renewable energy), and Children Heard and Seen (supporting children of prisoners) exemplify the Foundation's preference for innovative, systems-change approaches led by those with direct experience of the issues.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on systemic change rather than direct service provision alone
• Emphasize innovation and novel approaches not currently in mainstream funding
• Demonstrate clear sustainability plans beyond the award period
• Highlight lived experience leadership where relevant
• Keep applications concise but comprehensive on impact potential
• Leverage the additional expert support offered beyond just funding
• Consider that only early-stage projects have strong chances of success

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Lady Gould's Charity
• ST ANDREW HOLBORN AND STAFFORD'S CHARITY
• The Octopus Foundation
• TALLOW CHANDLERS BENEVOLENT FUND NO 2
• The Stroh Gestetner Foundation Ltd
• The Halpin Trust
• The Lee Education Charity of William Hatcliffe
• East End Community Foundation
• Heathrow Community Trust
• Lifelines International Fund for Education

References

• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5033553
• Stephen Lloyd Awards Official Website: www.stephenlloydawards.org
• Bates Wells Foundation Page: https://bateswells.co.uk/about/bates-wells-foundation/
• Annual Report 2023-2024, Bates Wells Foundation CIO
• Supporting Communities: https://supportingcommunities.org/funding-news-1/2025/3/28/stephen-lloyd-awards
• Action Together: https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/stephen-lloyd-awards