Bluespark Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £105,252 (2023-24)
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (majority under £2,000)
• Decision Time: Approximately 8 weeks
• Geographic Focus: England (national)
• Age Focus: Children and young people aged 5-22
• Charity Number: 1167172

Contact Details

Website: www.bluesparkfoundation.org.uk

Email: contact@bluesparkfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 020 8661 9997

Address: 84a Upland Road, Sutton SM2 5JB

Application Portal: https://bluesparkfoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/application/

Overview

BlueSpark Foundation is a registered charity (charity number 1167172) established in 2016 to support the education and development of children and young people across England. With an annual grant distribution of approximately £105,000, the foundation provides grants for educational, cultural, sporting, and other projects. The trustees recognized that many individuals in schools, colleges, and organizations are willing to develop projects to enhance youth education but often lack necessary funding. BlueSpark was created to bridge this funding gap by providing grants for relatively small-scale projects that might not happen at all or would only happen on a lesser scale without their support. The foundation is run by three trustees and seven volunteers with no paid employees, demonstrating a lean and focused approach to grant-making.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small-Scale Educational Projects: Up to £5,000 (rolling applications)

• Applications accepted year-round via online portal
• Rolling review basis at approximately 8-week intervals
• Majority of grants awarded under £2,000
• Only in exceptional cases will grants exceed £10,000

Priority Areas

Educational Activities:

• STEM clubs and academic competitions
• Debating and public speaking competitions
• Academic initiatives both inside and outside the classroom
• Vocational training programs

Arts and Culture:

• Drama productions and theatre workshops (fostering self-confidence, creativity, teamwork, communication skills, and self-expression)
• Music programs including instruments, tuition, and performance opportunities
• Dance and singing initiatives
• Art and design projects

Sports and Physical Activities:

• Sports equipment and training
• Participation in competitions
• Physical education programs

Outdoor and Adventure Programs:

• Camping, climbing, kayaking, orienteering, and sailing
• Activities that challenge young people physically and mentally

Community and Enterprise:

• Community projects
• Enterprise projects for young people

Educational Excursions:

• Trips to museums, historical locations, nature reserves, and farms
• Educational visits to cultural sites and events

Projects Enhancing:

• Self-confidence
• Teamworking skills
• Future employability
• Personal development

What They Don't Fund

• Projects for children under 5 or over 22 years old
• Life skills mentoring programs
• Counseling services
• Holiday clubs
• Building construction or maintenance
• Adult training programs
• Student fees or maintenance costs
• General running costs or core activities of organizations (project-specific funding only)
• Projects where BlueSpark funding would be only marginally incremental rather than a significant proportion of costs

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Tim Davies - Chair (appointed 15 May 2016)

Tim Davies practiced for over 30 years as a corporate lawyer at Fieldfisher LLP, an international law firm, where he was a Partner, Head of the Corporate Department, and a member of the Management Board. He is also a trustee of The Children's Trust for Children with Brain Injury. His extensive corporate experience brings strategic governance and legal expertise to the foundation.

Robert Bartlett - Trustee (appointed 15 May 2016)

Robert Bartlett serves as Finance Director for the foundation, bringing financial oversight to the grant-making process.

Sarah Louise Bartlett Budnik - Trustee (appointed 15 May 2016)

Sarah Budnik serves as Grant Applications Director, overseeing the application review and assessment process.

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The foundation operates with three trustees and seven volunteers, maintaining a lean operational structure.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

All applications must be made online via the foundation's standard application form at: https://bluesparkfoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/application/

Before Applying:

• Read the Grant Policy carefully at https://bluesparkfoundation.org.uk/grant-policy/
• Ensure your project meets eligibility criteria (ages 5-22, based in England, project-specific funding)
• Complete all sections of the form fully and clearly
• The form should be completed by the person leading the project

Eligibility:

• Schools, community groups, clubs, societies, and other not-for-profit organizations based and working in England
• Individuals resident in England may also apply

Rolling Deadlines:

• No fixed deadlines
• Applications accepted at any time
• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis at approximately 8-week intervals

Decision Timeline

Review Process: Applications are reviewed by trustees every 2 months (approximately 8-week intervals)

Trustee Discretion: The Trustees have absolute discretion as to the making of grants and may meet with applicants to discuss projects in more detail if needed

Notification: Applicants can expect a decision approximately 8 weeks after submission, though timing may vary depending on when the application falls within the review cycle

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, with annual expenditure of approximately £105,000 and grants typically ranging from £500 to £5,000, the foundation likely awards between 20-200 grants per year depending on project sizes.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's policy states there is “no presumption against making more than one grant to the same organisation.” This indicates that:

• Organizations can apply multiple times
• Previous grant recipients are welcome to apply for new projects
• No specific waiting period is mentioned between applications
• Each application is assessed on its individual merits

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

The trustees give particular consideration to projects that will help enhance:

• Self-confidence of children and young people
• Teamworking skills
• Future employability

Strategic Advice from the Foundation

On Grant Amounts: “Do not apply for more than the amount you require as this will reduce the chances of your application being successful.” The foundation values accurate and realistic budgeting.

On Cost-Sharing: While not mandatory, “if an organisation is able to raise part of the cost of a project itself, that will be a favourable factor in the assessment of a grant application particularly where the application is for more than £2000.”

On Project Significance: Funding must constitute “a significant proportion of the costs” of the project rather than being marginally incremental. BlueSpark wants to make a meaningful difference to project viability.

On Project Scale: The foundation focuses on “relatively small-scale projects which might not happen at all or would only happen on a lesser scale without the support of BlueSpark.”

On Beneficiary Numbers: There are “no preconditions regarding the number of children or young people who may benefit from a particular project.” A grant may be appropriate even for a single child if the impact is particularly significant for that individual.

Projects That Stand Out

The foundation has supported projects including:

• Riviera Education Trust, Torbay organizing a Children's Parliament
• Witton Middle School trip to Ullswater Outward Bound Centre
• Haworth Riding for the Disabled Group attending National Special Olympics Competition

These examples suggest the foundation values:

• Projects with clear developmental benefits
• Activities outside the normal classroom setting
• Opportunities for young people to challenge themselves
• Inclusive programs supporting disadvantaged or disabled young people
• Projects that create memorable and transformative experiences

Application Quality

Proper Costings: The foundation requires “proper costings for the project concerned to be provided.” Be specific and detailed in your budget.

Complete Applications: “Complete all sections of the form fully and clearly.” Incomplete applications are less likely to succeed.

Continuing Benefits: Projects producing “continuing benefits” or “lasting physical assets” are viewed favorably.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Be Realistic with Budget: Only request what you genuinely need - inflated applications reduce success chances
• Demonstrate Significance: Show how BlueSpark funding represents a significant proportion of project costs and will make a meaningful difference to whether the project happens
• Focus on Impact: Emphasize how the project will enhance self-confidence, teamworking skills, and future employability - these are the foundation's key priorities
• Consider Co-Funding: If possible, demonstrate your organization's commitment by contributing part of the costs, especially for applications over £2,000
• Small is Beautiful: The foundation explicitly supports small-scale projects that might not happen otherwise - don't be put off by a modest project size
• Complete Applications Win: Take time to complete all sections fully and clearly with proper costings - this is explicitly stated as important
• Previous Funding is Not a Barrier: Multiple grants to the same organization are possible, so reapply if you have new qualifying projects
• No Minimum Beneficiaries: Don't worry if your project serves a small number of young people - even single-beneficiary projects can be funded if the impact is significant

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Hitchin Youth Trust
• Rand's Educational Foundation
• Educational Opportunity Foundation
• Elifar Foundation Limited
• Viquaran Nisa Noon and Firoz Khan Noon Educational Foundation
• East Coast Community Fund
• Jack Petchey Foundation
• Sir Walter St. John's Educational Charity
• Personal Best Foundation
• BAUER RADIO'S CASH FOR KIDS CHARITIES

References

• BlueSpark Foundation official website: https://www.bluesparkfoundation.org.uk/
• BlueSpark Foundation Grant Policy: https://bluesparkfoundation.org.uk/grant-policy/
• BlueSpark Foundation About page: https://bluesparkfoundation.org.uk/about/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5080651
• Charity Commission Trustee Information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5080651/trustees
• Various regional funding directories including Active Together, Action Together, Get Berkshire Active, Sport Birmingham, and VODA funding databases
• Financial data from Charity Commission Register for financial year ending 31 March 2024