Byrne Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £237,336 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales (with some international work)

Contact Details

Address: Richmond House, Arundel Road, Walberton, West Sussex BN18 0QP

Email: kevin@byrneproperty.co.uk

Phone: 07967350212

Charity Number: 1137878

Company Number: 07252359

Overview

The Byrne Family Foundation was established in 2010 as a private charitable company by Kevin Byrne OBE, founder of Checkatrade. The foundation operates as a grant-making trust supporting disadvantaged young people and adults affected by financial deprivation, illness, disability, or any cause where lack of aid affects quality of life. With total expenditure of £237,336 in the year ending May 2024, the foundation maintains a focused approach to its philanthropy, supporting “a small number of ongoing long term projects” and only rarely considering new requests. The foundation is led by Kevin Byrne, a serial entrepreneur who received an OBE in 2023 for contributions to industry and consumer protection, and has been recognized with multiple Sussex Business Awards including the 2014 Greatest Contribution to Sussex Charity award.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with fixed funding tiers. Instead, it provides discretionary grants to a carefully selected portfolio of long-term partner organizations and, on rare occasions, to new causes that align strongly with its mission.

Priority Areas

The foundation's charitable objects include:

• Poverty Relief: Making grants to relieve financial hardship by providing or paying for items, services, or facilities
• Health: Prevention or relief of sickness, disease or human suffering and the promotion of health
• Disability Support: Relieving the needs of people with disabilities, particularly by providing specialist advice, equipment, or accommodation
• Youth Development: Advancing young people in life by providing care, support, and activities which develop their skills and capabilities
• Arts and Culture: Promoting art for the public benefit, including drama, ballet, music, singing, literature, sculpture, painting, cinema, and mime

The foundation operates both in the UK and internationally, with particular involvement in supporting orphanages in Nepal through work with the Lighthouse Foundation to protect children from exploitation.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's policy of supporting only “a small number of ongoing long term projects” effectively excludes most new applicants. They do not appear to fund:

• One-off projects without potential for long-term partnership
• Organizations outside their core focus areas
• Unsolicited applications in most circumstances

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by six directors who serve as trustees:

• Kevin Byrne OBE (Founder, appointed 2010): Founder of Checkatrade, awarded OBE in 2023 for contributions to industry and consumer protection. Known for extensive personal fundraising efforts including running twelve marathons in twelve months and 100 miles over 10 days for individual causes.
• Lisa Marie Byrne (Director, appointed 2018)
• Rachel Amy Byrne (Director, appointed 2018)
• Ruth April Byrne (Director, appointed 2018)
• Emily Louise Styles (Director, appointed 2018)
• David Alister Harland (Director, appointed 2018)
• David Brian Pegler (Company Secretary, appointed 2017)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The foundation operates with a family-focused governance structure, reflecting its origins as a vehicle for the Byrne family's philanthropic activities.

Kevin Byrne has stated publicly that he encourages a culture of giving, having implemented a policy at Checkatrade for employees to spend 5 of their working days per year toward charitable causes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Byrne Family Foundation explicitly states that it “supports a small number of ongoing long term projects and only on rare occasions would consider new requests.” This indicates that the foundation operates primarily through trustee discretion and invitation, maintaining relationships with a select group of partner organizations.

Given the contact email (kevin@byrneproperty.co.uk), any rare new grant opportunities are likely identified through Kevin Byrne's extensive business and community networks in West Sussex and beyond.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's approach to identifying beneficiaries is highly selective and relationship-driven. Based on available information:

• Personal Connection to Founder: Kevin Byrne's charitable interests have been shaped by direct personal experiences, such as founding Checkatrade after witnessing the impact of rogue traders in his community following a tornado, and supporting individual children in need through personal fundraising efforts.

• Sussex Business Community: The foundation is deeply embedded in the West Sussex business community. Kevin Byrne has been recognized at the Sussex Business Awards on multiple occasions and speaks at business events in the region. Organizations with connections to this network may have better opportunities for introduction.

• Demonstrated Long-term Impact: The foundation's stated preference for “ongoing long term projects” suggests they value sustained relationships with proven organizations rather than one-off interventions.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Decisions appear to be made at the discretion of the trustees on a rolling basis.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Given the foundation's policy of rarely considering new requests, the success rate for unsolicited approaches is likely extremely low.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly stated. Given the foundation's limited openness to new applications, unsuccessful applicants should assume there is no formal reapplication process.

Application Success Factors

While the Byrne Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications in most circumstances, the following factors appear important based on Kevin Byrne's publicly stated values and the foundation's characteristics:

• Alignment with Personal Values: Kevin Byrne has demonstrated commitment to consumer protection, supporting vulnerable individuals, and causes affecting children. Organizations working in these areas may resonate more strongly.

• Long-term Partnership Potential: The foundation explicitly seeks “ongoing long term projects,” indicating they value sustained relationships over one-off grants.

• Local West Sussex Connection: While the foundation works nationally and internationally, its roots in West Sussex and Kevin Byrne's recognition as a major contributor to Sussex charity work suggest local causes may receive particular attention.

• Clear Demonstration of Impact: Kevin Byrne's fundraising efforts have often been for specific individuals with clearly defined needs (e.g., a child requiring surgery). Organizations that can demonstrate concrete, measurable impact may be more compelling.

• Efficient Use of Funds: With no trustees receiving remuneration and a relatively modest annual giving budget, the foundation appears to value efficient, focused charitable work.

• Protection of Vulnerable Populations: The foundation's work with the Lighthouse Foundation in Nepal to protect children from exploitation suggests a particular interest in safeguarding vulnerable groups.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications except in rare circumstances. Approaching without an introduction or invitation is unlikely to succeed.

• Relationship-Driven Philanthropy: The foundation operates through trustee discretion and existing relationships. Connection to Kevin Byrne's business network in West Sussex or the broader charitable sector may be necessary for consideration.

• Long-term Commitment Expected: The foundation seeks “ongoing long term projects,” not one-off initiatives. Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate how they would develop a sustained partnership.

• Modest Scale, Strategic Focus: With annual expenditure around £237,000 spread across multiple projects, individual grants are likely modest. The foundation values strategic, targeted support over large-scale giving.

• Personal Values Matter: Kevin Byrne's personal charitable activities and business background in consumer protection suggest the foundation resonates with causes protecting vulnerable people from exploitation and providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

• Family Foundation Structure: Governed primarily by family members, decisions likely reflect personal values and interests rather than formal strategic plans.

• Rare New Opportunities: Organizations should not expect regular funding rounds or application windows. Any new funding relationships are exceptional rather than routine.

References

• Charity Commission - Byrne Family Foundation Overview
• Companies House - Byrne Family Foundation Directors
• Champions Speakers - Kevin Byrne OBE Profile
• LinkedIn - Kevin Byrne OBE Profile
• Sussex Express - Checkatrade Founder Awarded OBE
• The Business Group Sussex - Kevin Byrne OBE Inspires