Chartered Institute For Securities & Investment Future Foundation

Charity Number: 1201304

Annual Expenditure: £0.6M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £610,000 (average based on 2023-2024 distributions)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months (estimated from application window timing)
  • Grant Range: £20,000 - £120,000+
  • Geographic Focus: UK and Crown Dependencies (primary); limited international grants

Contact Details

Website: www.cisifuturefoundation.org

Email: futurefoundation@cisi.org

Phone: 020 7645 0600

Address: 20 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3BY

Charity Number: 1201304

Overview

The CISI Future Foundation was launched in April 2022 by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), which allocated £2.5 million of its reserves to establish the foundation. Granted charitable status in late 2022, the Foundation seeks to support the advancement of education for the public benefit by advancing knowledge and improving skills in financial capacities and capabilities. Since opening its first grant round in 2023, the Foundation has distributed over £1.6 million to UK-based financial literacy organizations, with grants ranging from £20,000 to over £120,000. The Foundation's approach is described as having “outlined our criteria and designed a simple application process to make it as easy as we can for organisations to partner with us.” In 2024, the Foundation made its first international grant of €25,295 to Junior Achievement Ireland, signaling potential expansion beyond UK borders.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £20,000 - £120,000+

The Foundation operates periodic funding rounds with applications accepted during specific windows. Grants are available for a minimum of 6 months or a maximum of 3 years. Applications for amounts under £20,000 will not be considered. Recent funding rounds have been announced in autumn with application windows typically running for 2-3 months.

Application Method: Rolling basis within specific application windows (typically announced annually)

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds projects that:

  • Promote financial literacy and capability among young people
  • Support individuals and communities facing socio-economic challenges
  • Deliver sustainable, evidence-based financial education programs
  • Work with disadvantaged populations to improve financial wellbeing
  • Provide financial skills education to children aged 4-11 through to young adults
  • Offer debt advice alongside financial literacy training (for adult-focused programs)

Recent funded initiatives include:

  • Primary school financial education workshops with digital resources
  • Youth financial capability programs for young women
  • Adult financial literacy and debt advice services
  • Financial education for disadvantaged communities across multiple UK regions

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations with financial reserves exceeding £5 million
  • Grant applications under £20,000
  • Organizations without audited or independently examined accounts for the last two accounting periods
  • Organizations without a defined Safeguarding Policy and adequate governance arrangements
  • Projects lasting less than 6 months or more than 3 years
  • Organizations that cannot demonstrate expertise and experience in financial literacy education
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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Nick Swales OBE, DL, Chartered FCSI (Hon), Regional Director North East (retired), Rathbone Investment Management Ltd

Trustees Appointed by CISI Board:

  • Alan Ramsay FCSI (Hon), CISI Deputy Chairman, Chief Executive, IPSX
  • Fionnuala Carvill, Chartered FCSI, FCIB, FCIS, Non-Executive Director, Investec Bank (Channel Islands)
  • Debbie Clarke, Chartered MCSI, Managing Director, New Clarke Ventures

The Foundation has a total of nine trustees, including the above four and additional trustees recruited from the CISI membership base, with at least two independent trustees.

Quote from Leadership:

Nick Swales on grant-making approach: “This is our broadest funding round to date, and we are thrilled to be supporting these charities. Their dedication to the building and promotion of financial literacy skills is important in making a difference in the varied communities they serve, helping those who benefit from these programmes to greater self-confidence and an improved sense of wellbeing.”

On successful applications: "All three organisations demonstrated a robust, sustainable and targeted approach to their work. As a result, the Foundation's trustees are delighted to be supporting their dedication to furthering financial literacy education."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: The Foundation is not currently accepting applications. The next application window is expected to open early in 2026.

Application Method:

  1. Register interest by emailing futurefoundation@cisi.org with your organization's name and brief overview of intended grant use
  2. When the application window opens, complete the online application form
  3. The Foundation aims to respond to general enquiries within 5 business days

Pre-application Requirements:

  • Audited or independently examined accounts for the last two accounting reference dates
  • Defined Safeguarding Policy
  • Adequate governance arrangements

Decision Timeline

Based on recent funding rounds:

  • Application windows typically run for 2-3 months (e.g., September - November)
  • Decisions and announcements follow within 1-2 months after the window closes
  • Estimated total timeline: 2-3 months from application submission to decision

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation notes that "the number of requests for support from grant applicants typically surpass the Foundation's ability to meet them," indicating competitive selection. In recent rounds:

  • 2023: 7 organizations awarded from applications received
  • 2024: 14 organizations awarded £952,600 in one round; 2 organizations awarded £145,000 in another round

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Contact futurefoundation@cisi.org for guidance on reapplication if previously unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrating Robust Approach: The Chair specifically noted successful applicants “demonstrated a robust, sustainable and targeted approach to their work.” Applications should clearly articulate:

  • Evidence-based methodology
  • Sustainability beyond the grant period (minimum 5-year impact plan)
  • Specific, measurable outcomes

Target Beneficiaries: Clearly define stakeholders and target beneficiaries, with emphasis on:

  • Younger people facing socio-economic challenges
  • Communities in demonstrable need
  • Specific geographic or demographic groups with quantifiable financial literacy gaps

Organizational Credibility:

  • Demonstrate proven expertise and experience in financial literacy education
  • Show strong governance with appropriate safeguarding policies
  • Present audited accounts showing financial stability (but reserves under £5m)
  • Evidence partnership or collaboration approaches where relevant

Geographic Reach: Recent funding has supported programs across diverse UK regions including London, Northern Ireland, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Suffolk, West Berkshire, Cumbria, and Kent, suggesting the Foundation values both urban and rural coverage.

Examples of Funded Projects:

  • RedSTART Educate (£100,000): Delivers financial education to disadvantaged primary school children aged 4-11 through its “Change the Game” programme, delivered by volunteers through workshops and complemented by a Money Management App
  • Crosslight Advice (£105,000): Assists people out of poverty by providing debt advice and financial skills education across London, Swindon, and West Kent - marking the Foundation's support for adult-focused financial literacy
  • Get Set Girls (£39,589): Supports young people into financially successful adulthood by providing money management skills
  • National Numeracy (£105,000): Focus on building numeracy skills as foundation for financial capability
  • MyBnk and Young Enterprise (£100,000 each): Established financial education charities working with young people

Language and Terminology: The Foundation emphasizes:

  • “Financial literacy” and “financial capability”
  • “Sustainable and targeted approach”
  • “Socio-economic challenges”
  • “Long-lasting impact”
  • “Robust governance”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Minimum threshold: Only apply if requesting over £20,000; applications below this will be rejected outright
  • Financial reserves matter: Organizations with reserves over £5m are generally ineligible - this is designed to direct funds to organizations in greater need
  • Long-term vision required: Articulate plans showing sustainable impact lasting at least 5 years beyond the grant period, even though funding is for maximum 3 years
  • Evidence of expertise: Must demonstrate proven track record in financial literacy education - this is not a funder for organizations new to this space
  • Vulnerable populations focus: Strongest applications target young people and communities with demonstrable socio-economic challenges
  • Governance essentials: Must have Safeguarding Policy and appropriate governance before applying - non-negotiable requirement
  • Application timing: Plan ahead as applications open infrequently (annually) and for limited windows - register interest early when windows are announced

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