Chk Foundation

Charity Number: 1050900

Annual Expenditure: £3.6M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Website: www.chkfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 07592 806 521

Email: admin@chkfoundation.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £6,119,402 (charitable expenditure)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: £1,500 - £390,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide
  • Total Grants (2020-2024): 449 grants totaling £15,275,338

Contact Details

  • Website: www.chkfoundation.org.uk
  • Email: admin@chkfoundation.org.uk
  • Phone: 07592 806 521
  • Address: PO Box 277, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 1EX
  • Charity Number: 1050900
  • Company Number: 03130170

IMPORTANT NOTE: CHK Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation conducts its own research and directly contacts charities it wishes to fund.

Overview

CHK Foundation is an independent grant-making foundation established in the 1970s by Sir Cyril Hugh Kleinwort (1905-1980). As a family foundation, the majority of trustees are descendants of the founder. The foundation operates with total assets generating investment income of approximately £3.4 million annually, with total expenditure of £6.6 million. The foundation employs one staff member and is governed by eight trustees who receive no remuneration. The foundation has broad charitable objects and rotates the focus of its grant-making in accordance with the interests of serving trustees and in light of current social challenges. Between January 2020 and October 2024, the foundation awarded 449 grants totaling over £15.2 million to organizations across the UK.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Current Focus (2024-2029): The foundation supports 25-30 charities annually across two priority areas:

  • Environmental Protection: Supporting charities working on conservation, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship
  • Education to Employment Transition: Enabling successful transition from secondary education to employment for young people

Sustainable Agriculture Sub-Theme: Under the environmental focus, trustees specifically support projects addressing better stewardship of air, water, and soil, minimization of off-farm resources and external inputs, while maintaining environmental quality, economic viability, and social equity in farming systems.

Previous Focus (2019-2024): The foundation focused on improving the lives and prospects of young people aged 11-24 who were “at risk” due to leaving the care system, involvement in the criminal justice system, or misuse of harmful substances.

Priority Areas

  • Environmental conservation and protection
  • Sustainable agriculture and farming practices
  • Youth education and employment pathways
  • Population control
  • Crime prevention
  • Arts (as part of rotating interests)

What They Don't Fund

  • The foundation does not accept or consider speculative funding requests
  • No specific exclusions are published, but funding is strictly limited to charities identified through the foundation's own research

Governance and Leadership

Trustees (8 total)

  • Dr Edward Peake - Chair (appointed 2014)
  • Camilla Jane Peake (appointed 2020)
  • Charles Patrick Kirwan-Taylor (appointed 2019)
  • Elisalex Jewell (appointed 2020)
  • Lucy Henrietta Morris (appointed 1996)
  • Mrs Katharine Sophie Loyd (appointed 1996)
  • Pandora Sophie Morris (appointed 2016)
  • Rupert Hugh Prest (appointed 2002)

Secretary

  • Jane Hamilton

The foundation maintains strong family governance with trustees who are descendants of founder Sir Cyril Kleinwort. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The foundation's reporting to the Charity Commission is up to date and compliant.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL: CHK Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. The foundation undertakes its own research to determine charities it wishes to consider for funding and will make direct contact to begin discussions about opportunities. Applications for funding are not invited and cannot be considered.

Organizations cannot apply to this foundation. The foundation proactively researches and identifies potential grantees based on alignment with their current strategic priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation contacts organizations directly when they wish to discuss funding opportunities.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. However, organizations that have been previously funded may be contacted again if they continue to align with the foundation's evolving priorities.

Application Success Factors

Since applications are not accepted, the key factor for success is alignment with the foundation's current strategic priorities:

For Current Focus Period (2024-2029):

  1. Environmental Organizations: Charities must demonstrate strong work in environmental protection, conservation, or sustainable agriculture. The foundation has particular interest in projects addressing stewardship of natural resources (air, water, soil) and reducing dependency on external inputs.
  1. Education-to-Employment Programs: Organizations must show effective support for young people transitioning from secondary education to employment, with demonstrable outcomes.
  1. Track Record: The foundation supports 25-30 charities annually, suggesting they seek established organizations with proven impact rather than startup initiatives.
  1. UK-Wide Work: Organizations working throughout the UK are preferred, though this is not explicitly required.

Example of Funded Work: The foundation has sponsored Nuffield Farming Scholars, including support for a scholar exploring elimination of fossil fuel dependence in agriculture, demonstrating interest in innovative, forward-thinking environmental solutions.

Strategic Considerations:

  • The foundation rotates focus areas every 5 years based on trustee interests
  • Family foundation character suggests trustees may value personal connection to causes
  • Investment-funded model provides stable, substantial funding capacity
  • Publishing grants data on 360Giving demonstrates commitment to transparency

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Application Process: This foundation cannot be applied to directly - they identify and approach charities themselves
  • Strategic Alignment is Critical: Organizations must fall squarely within current 5-year priorities (environment or education-to-employment)
  • Visibility Matters: Ensure your organization has strong online presence, published impact data, and visibility in your sector so the foundation can find you during research
  • Grant Sizes Vary Significantly: Awards range from £1,500 to £390,000, with average around £34,000, suggesting flexible funding based on organization size and project scope
  • Long-Term Planning: Five-year strategic cycles mean priorities shift; monitor the foundation's focus as cycles change
  • 360Giving Publisher: The foundation publishes all grants data publicly, demonstrating commitment to transparency
  • Quality Over Quantity: Supporting only 25-30 charities annually from their research suggests highly selective approach focused on organizations demonstrating exceptional alignment and impact

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References