Clark Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Data varies year to year (see Financial Information section)
• Grant Range: Small Community Grants £250–£1,000; Community Grants £1,000–£100,000+
• Decision Time: Quarterly committee meetings for grants over £1,000; rolling for small grants
• Geographic Focus: Somerset, Plymouth, Barnstaple or Kendal
• Organisations Supported: 60+ annually

Contact Details

Address: 40 High Street, Street, Somerset BA16 0EQ

Phone: 0117 240 5583

Email: trustgrants@clarks.com

Website: https://theclarkfoundation.org.uk

Staff:

• Susie Mercer, Trust Manager
• Mel Park, Trust Administrator

(Available Wednesday-Friday at Clarks HQ in Street)

Overview

The Clark Foundation was established in 1959 by C&J Clark, the shoe manufacturing and retail company based in Street, Somerset. Now operating as an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission (no. 1179639), the Foundation distributes grants to 60+ organisations and community groups annually. The Foundation's mission focuses on supporting community projects in areas where Clarks employees, ex-employees, pensioners, and their dependents live and work. Funding is directed toward capital projects, equipment purchases, and startup costs across sectors including education, health, recreation, leisure, and social welfare. The Foundation maintains strong ties to its Somerset roots while extending support to other regions with significant Clarks workforce presence.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Small Community Grants: £250 to £1,000

• Decided by the Trust Manager on a rolling basis throughout the year
• Quick decision-making process
• Ideal for smaller capital purchases and equipment
• Also available to Clarks employees based in retail stores in the UK for a community group they have a close connection to

Community Grants: £1,000 to £100,000+

• Reviewed quarterly by grants committee
• Committee comprises five trustees plus two senior C&J Clark staff members
• Suitable for significant capital projects

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds projects across eight key sectors:

1. Health & Wellbeing: Hospitals, hospices, outreach services, care homes, homelessness support, therapy services
2. Village Halls & Community Centres: Extensions, repairs, refurbishments, upgrades
3. Countryside: Wildlife reserves, community allotments, open spaces, rights of way, access improvements, trails
4. The Arts: Arts facilities and projects
5. Heritage & Churches: Preservation projects
6. Education: School facilities and equipment
7. Youth Groups: Youth facilities and activities
8. Sport & Leisure: Sports facilities and equipment

Geographic Priority: The Foundation favours projects in places where significant numbers of Clarks employees, pensioners and their families live and work. Applicants must be based in Somerset, Plymouth, Barnstaple or Kendal.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals: No grants to individual applicants
• Running costs: No funding for operational expenses or ongoing costs
• Projects outside priority geographic areas: Must be located in Somerset, Plymouth, Barnstaple or Kendal

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Foundation is governed by five trustees, including:

• Gloria Clark (Chair) - representing the founding Clark family
• Two senior members of C&J Clark staff team serve on the grants committee alongside the trustees

Staff Team

• Susie Mercer, Trust Manager
• Mel Park, Trust Administrator

Both staff members work part-time (Wednesday-Friday) and are based at Clarks headquarters in Street, Somerset.

How to Apply to Clark Foundation

How to Apply

• Applications accepted year-round for small grants (£250 to £1,000)
• Applications for grants over £1,000 reviewed quarterly by the grants committee
• Application forms and guidelines available on the Foundation website: https://theclarkfoundation.org.uk
• Contact the Trust Manager and Administrator (Wednesday-Friday) for guidance

Decision Timeline

• Small Community Grants (£250 to £1,000): Rolling basis with faster turnaround
• Community Grants (£1,000 to £100,000+): Quarterly committee review
• Four committee meetings per year
• Timing between application and decision depends on committee cycle
• Estimated 1-3 months depending on submission timing

Success Rates

With approximately 60+ organisations funded annually, the Foundation maintains an active grantmaking portfolio. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not explicitly stated. Contact the Foundation directly for guidance on unsuccessful applications or subsequent requests.

Application Success Factors

Strong Geographic Connection

The Foundation prioritises projects in communities with significant Clarks employee, pensioner, or dependent populations in Somerset, Plymouth, Barnstaple or Kendal. Demonstrating this connection in your application is crucial.

Capital Projects Focus

The Foundation specifically seeks capital projects, equipment purchases, and startup costs. Clearly articulate how funding will create lasting infrastructure or assets rather than cover operational expenses.

Community Impact

Recent grant recipients include schools, hospitals, community facilities, sports venues, village halls, and preservation projects. Emphasise broad community benefit and accessibility.

Clear Project Scope

For small grants (£250 to £1,000), be concise and specific about the equipment or capital item needed. For Community Grants, provide detailed project plans, costings, and timelines.

Multiple Funding Sources

The Foundation's financial data shows expenditure sometimes exceeding income, suggesting they may co-fund projects. Demonstrating other funding sources strengthens applications.

Organisational Legitimacy

Must be a not-for-profit organisation. Ensure proper registration and governance documentation is current.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic alignment is paramount: Verify your organisation is based in Somerset, Plymouth, Barnstaple or Kendal before applying.

• Capital only: Do not apply for running costs, salaries, or operational expenses. Frame requests around tangible capital items, equipment, or building projects.

• Choose the right track: Applications for £250 to £1,000 receive faster decisions on a rolling basis; larger projects (£1,000 to £100,000+) go through quarterly committee review.

• Leverage the Somerset connection: Projects in Street, Somerset (Clarks' historic home) and surrounding areas likely receive favourable consideration.

• Contact staff proactively: Susie Mercer and Mel Park are available Wednesday-Friday to discuss eligibility and provide application guidance before submission.

• Long-term community benefit: Emphasise how capital investment will serve the community over time, supporting multiple generations in Clarks-connected areas.

• Diverse sector support: The Foundation funds across eight broad categories, so don't self-select out if your project has genuine community benefit and meets geographic criteria.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• National Lottery
• The D'oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Somerset Community Foundation
• The Childwick Trust
• Cornwall Community Foundation
• The Taylor-marsh Foundation
• John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust
• The Golden Bottle Trust
• M J Camp Charitable Foundation
• The Shanly Foundation
• Hedley Foundation Limited
• The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust
• The Steel Charitable Trust
• Frazer Trust
• Duchy Health Charity Limited
• The Norman Family Charitable Trust
• The Ian Askew Charitable Trust
• Woodroffe Benton Foundation
• The Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust

References

1. Clark Foundation Official Website - Grant Applications Page. https://theclarkfoundation.org.uk/grant-applications/

1. Clark Foundation Official Website - About Page. https://theclarkfoundation.org.uk/about/

1. Clark Foundation Official Website - Homepage. https://theclarkfoundation.org.uk/

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Clark Foundation (Charity No. 1179639). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5118218

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council - Funding Finder - The Clark Foundation. https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/funding-finder/clark-foundation

1. Find That Charity - Clark Foundation Profile. https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1179639

1. Giving is Great - Clark Foundation Factsheet. https://givingisgreat.org.uk/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1179639