Bupa Foundation

Charity Number: 1162759

Annual Expenditure: £2.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2.1m (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3 months (June deadline to October notification)
  • Grant Range: £500 - £2,000 (Green Community Grants)
  • Geographic Focus: UK, Republic of Ireland, and Channel Islands

Contact Details

Website: www.bupafoundation.org

Email: bupafoundation@bupa.com

Phone: 07715 853516

Green Community Grants Contact: bupafoundationgreengrants@groundwork.org.uk | 0121 237 5802

Overview

The BUPA Foundation (Charity Number 1162759) was established in 2015 and has since distributed over £6 million in grants to more than 400 organisations across the UK. The Foundation receives its funding entirely from Bupa UK and is overseen by a Board of 9 Trustees including senior Bupa executives and independent experts in health and sustainability. The Foundation's mission is to create healthier communities by running and funding practical projects that improve both people and planet health, recognizing the deep connection between environmental and human wellbeing. Their current strategic focus is on the #HealthyCities initiative, which prioritizes regenerating urban green spaces to benefit community health. Since 2023, the Foundation has invested over £1.5 million specifically in this area, funding more than 270 schools and 200 community groups to create outdoor classrooms, sensory gardens, community allotments, and improved urban green spaces.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Green Community Grants (in partnership with Groundwork UK): £500 - £2,000

The flagship program offering grants for practical projects that benefit both people and planet health. Applications are typically open annually with a June deadline and October notification. Can fund up to 100% of project costs with no match funding required. For 2024-2025, the Foundation committed £500,000 to this program.

Healthier Futures Initiative: Partnership-based program

Educational partnerships supporting schools to complete the Eco-Schools programme, with priority for schools in lower socio-economic areas. This is a newer initiative focused on long-term environmental education rather than direct grants.

Healthier Cities Challenge: Corporate engagement program

Employee and corporate partner step-challenge that unlocks funding (over £1 million raised in 2025) for local planting projects and urban green space improvements.

Priority Areas

The Foundation currently prioritizes:

  • Urban green space regeneration in or close to cities for community use
  • Improving green spaces for community activities to enhance wellbeing
  • Tree planting to improve air quality and biodiversity
  • Outdoor classrooms and forest schools
  • Community allotments and sustainable food growing
  • Pocket parks in urban areas
  • Projects that make green spaces more accessible
  • Initiatives located in disadvantaged areas (high Indices of Multiple Deprivation scores or schools with significant free school meals uptake)
  • Mental health and social inclusion through environmental projects
  • Community resilience building through nature connection

What They Don't Fund

  • Work already completed
  • Research projects
  • Political donations or activities promoting political causes
  • Fundraising activities
  • Running costs and overheads
  • Conferences and events
  • Overseas appeals
  • Religious cause promotion
  • Projects delivered by individuals
  • Community Interest Companies with shares
  • Profit-making organisations
  • Private, fee-paying schools
  • Projects outside the UK, Republic of Ireland, and Channel Islands
  • Long-term projects exceeding 12-18 months (historically)
  • Academic research or educational/research posts
  • Educational bursaries or university grants
  • School trips or gap year projects
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Foundation is governed by 9 trustees who provide strategic direction:

  • Stuart Brown - Chair, General Counsel, Bupa UK
  • Angelique Waker - Director of Brand & Marketing Effectiveness, Bupa UK
  • Yasmin Mahfouz - Paediatric Specialty Trainee Doctor
  • James O'Reilly - Chief Risk & Sustainability Officer, Bupa Global and UK
  • Nigel Sullivan - Chief People & Sustainability Officer, Bupa Group
  • Shweta Narayan - Global Climate and Health Campaigner, Global Climate and Health Alliance
  • Michelle Smith - M&A Director, Bupa Global and UK

Mission Statement

As stated in their Code of Conduct: “Helping people to live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.”

The Foundation emphasizes that “we help create healthier communities. We run and help fund practical projects that improve both people and planet health.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Green Community Grants (administered by Groundwork UK):

  • Applications made through Flexi Grant online system
  • Applicants must create an account to access the application form
  • No match funding required - can fund 100% of project costs
  • Additional funding can supplement the grant
  • Annual application window, typically closing June 30
  • Application support available via bupafoundationgreengrants@groundwork.org.uk or 0121 237 5802

Eligible Applicants:

  • Non-fee paying schools
  • Registered charities
  • Not-for-profit organisations
  • Local authorities
  • Social housing providers

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: June 30 (annual)
  • Decision Notification: October (approximately 3 months)
  • Grants awarded for projects to be delivered typically within 12-18 months

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, based on available data:

  • In recent rounds, 163 schools and 76 community groups/charities received funding
  • Since 2023, over 270 schools and 200+ community groups have been funded
  • The Foundation committed £550,000 in 2024 and £500,000 in 2025 for Green Community Grants

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

What Makes a Strong Application

Based on funded projects and Foundation priorities:

  1. Clear connection to urban health: Projects should demonstrate how green spaces will improve both environmental and community health outcomes, particularly in disadvantaged urban areas
  1. Community involvement and accessibility: Successful projects actively involve and benefit the local community, making green spaces more accessible and usable
  1. Practical, deliverable outcomes: The Foundation favors tangible projects (outdoor classrooms, tree planting, allotments) over research or theoretical initiatives
  1. Environmental sustainability: Projects incorporating biodiversity improvements, air quality benefits, and sustainable practices are prioritized
  1. Location in disadvantaged areas: Priority is given to projects in areas with high IMD scores or schools with significant free school meals uptake

Examples of Successful Projects

  • Outdoor classrooms and forest schools (163 schools funded)
  • Sensory gardens for wellbeing
  • Community allotments and food growing spaces
  • Park and playground improvements
  • Urban tree planting for air quality
  • Pocket parks in city areas
  • Sustainable equipment installations (e.g., heat pumps)

Application Tips

  • Clearly articulate both the people and planet health benefits
  • Demonstrate community need and involvement
  • Show how the project addresses urban nature deprivation
  • Provide realistic budgets and timelines (typically 12-18 months)
  • Evidence the project's location in a disadvantaged area
  • Explain long-term sustainability and maintenance plans
  • Connect your project to the #HealthyCities mission

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Urban green space focus: The Foundation is currently laser-focused on the #HealthyCities initiative - applications must connect to urban green space regeneration and community health
  • No match funding barrier: Unlike many funders, BUPA Foundation can fund 100% of project costs, making it accessible for smaller organizations without reserves
  • Dual benefit essential: Every application must demonstrate benefits for both people's health AND environmental health - this dual impact is central to their mission
  • Disadvantage prioritization: Explicitly demonstrate your project serves disadvantaged communities through IMD data or free school meals statistics
  • Practical over theoretical: They fund tangible, deliverable projects with clear outcomes - avoid research-heavy or abstract proposals
  • Partnership with Groundwork: The Green Community Grants are administered by Groundwork UK, so familiarize yourself with their Flexi Grant system and consider seeking pre-application guidance
  • Annual opportunity: Plan ahead for the June deadline and be prepared for a 3-month decision window

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