Dame Alice Owen's Foundation

Charity Number: 312703

Annual Expenditure: £1.5M
Geographic Focus: Hertfordshire, Islington

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1.5 million (approximately)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: London Borough of Islington and Dame Alice Owen's School (Potters Bar, Hertfordshire)
  • Grant Range: Varies; specific amounts not publicly disclosed
  • Application Method: No public application process; trustee discretion-based

Contact Details

Address:

Brewers' Hall

Aldermanbury Square

London EC2V 7HR

Telephone: 020 7600 1801

Key Contact: The Clerk - Nick Tindal ([email protected])

Website: www.brewershall.co.uk/charity-education/dame-alice-owen-foundation

Overview

The Dame Alice Owen's Foundation was established in 1613 through the will of Dame Alice Owen, a wealthy widow married to a brewer. The foundation has been managed by the Worshipful Company of Brewers for over 400 years. The foundation holds a substantial property estate in Islington and an investment portfolio that generate its annual income. With total annual expenditure of approximately £3.8 million (2024), the foundation distributes roughly £1.5 million annually in grants to support education for young people aged 5-18. The foundation's mission focuses on improving the lives of young people through grants to Dame Alice Owen's School in Potters Bar and educational projects throughout the London Borough of Islington. The foundation operates with a clear grant-making policy reviewed annually by the trustee and administered through an Advisory Committee comprising representatives from the Brewers' Company, Dame Alice Owen's School, Islington Council, and independent educational experts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation supports educational initiatives across two primary areas:

1. Dame Alice Owen's School (Potters Bar)

  • Provides substantial annual grants to support the school's operations and development
  • In 2023, the school received significant funding split between capital and revenue expenditure
  • The school is a specialist language, music, and science school

2. London Borough of Islington Educational Projects

Grants support educational programmes benefiting young people in Islington, including:

  • Music Education Islington and MEI Music Centres - An initiative delivered by Guildhall School of Music & Drama aimed at improving music education equity and standard for primary school children, with particular focus on disadvantaged students
  • Science for Life - A partnership programme across primary and secondary schools in Islington designed to develop science capital and engage pupils with STEM careers
  • Upward Bound Programme - A university-based supplementary educational programme supporting approximately 200 young people annually from nine Islington secondary schools, focusing on attainment and aspirations for Key Stage 3 and 4 students. Since 2006, Upward Bound has supported over 1,000 pupils through their GCSEs, run in partnership with London Metropolitan University and Islington Council
  • Other educational initiatives meeting specific needs within the borough

Priority Areas

  • Educational provision for young people aged 5-18 in Islington
  • Projects that meet major identified needs not addressed by other grant-giving bodies
  • Initiatives with strong governance, financial management, and safeguarding policies
  • Projects with potential to leverage additional matching funding
  • Programmes serving disadvantaged or underrepresented young people in education

What They Don't Fund

  • Educational provision outside the London Borough of Islington (except Dame Alice Owen's School)
  • Projects serving young people outside the age range 5-18
  • Activities outside the education sector
  • Organisations without appropriate governance and safeguarding policies
  • Projects that duplicate services already available through other funders
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Governance and Leadership

Trustee

The Worshipful Company of Brewers serves as the corporate trustee for the foundation.

Advisory Committee

The foundation is supported by an Advisory Committee comprising 11 members who review funding recommendations in accordance with the trustee's Grant Making Policy and monitor the performance of all funded projects:

  • Mr Clive Strowger OBE (Chair) - Liveryman of the Brewers' Company
  • Three Brewers' Company Representatives: Mr Peter Martin (Liveryman), Mr Paul Wells (Liveryman), Mr Billy Whitbread (Liveryman)
  • Three Dame Alice Owen's School Representatives: Mr Gary Haigh, Mr Peter Martin, Mrs Hannah Nemko
  • Three Islington Council Representatives: Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Ms Andrea Stark, Cllr Richard Watts
  • Three Independent Educational Experts: Mr Paul Filmer, Prof Zoe Radnor, and one additional nominee from the University of London

Key Leadership

The foundation's administrative interface is managed through the Brewers' Company. Administrative contacts include:

  • The Clerk: Nick Tindal ([email protected]) - Senior administrative officer
  • Finance Director and Deputy Clerk: Chris Coulbeck ([email protected])
  • Livery Manager: Kate Longhurst ([email protected])

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Dame Alice Owen's Foundation operates on a trustee discretion and Advisory Committee recommendation model. Unlike conventional grant-making foundations, the foundation does not maintain an open application deadline or online submission portal.

Instead, funding is awarded through:

  • Direct recommendations from the Advisory Committee based on their knowledge of educational needs in Islington
  • Trustee identification of priority projects aligned with the foundation's grant-making policy
  • Ongoing partnerships with established organisations working in the foundation's priority areas
  • Review and renewal of existing grant relationships

The foundation's grant-making policy is reviewed annually by the trustee, and funding decisions are made throughout the year by the Advisory Committee.

Getting on Their Radar

Building a relationship with the foundation requires a strategic approach:

  1. Understand the Advisory Committee's Composition - The committee includes representatives from Islington Council, Dame Alice Owen's School, and independent educational experts. These individuals actively identify educational needs and organisations worthy of funding. Building relationships with these representatives through sector engagement can increase visibility.
  1. Align with Identified Priority Areas - The foundation explicitly seeks projects addressing major unmet educational needs in Islington. Demonstrating that your project fills a genuine gap not served by other funders significantly increases the likelihood of being considered.
  1. Leverage Matching Funding - The foundation emphasises using grants to “leverage additional matching funding alongside that of the Foundation.” Organisations that can secure co-funding from local authorities, schools, or other sources are more attractive to the trustees.
  1. Establish Connections with Islington Schools and Council - The three Islington Council representatives and school governors on the Advisory Committee identify and recommend funding opportunities. Engaging directly with Islington schools and the local authority about educational gaps can create pathways to the foundation's attention.
  1. Demonstrate Excellence in Governance - The foundation explicitly requires “appropriate governance, financial and safeguarding policies.” Organisations with exemplary financial management, transparent governance structures, and robust safeguarding arrangements are prioritised.
  1. Sector Engagement and Professional Networks - As an old, established foundation deeply embedded in London's educational landscape, the Brewers' Company and its Advisory Committee maintain networks through schools, universities, and educational organisations. Active participation in sector forums, university partnerships, and professional networks increases visibility.
  1. Direct Communication - While there is no formal application process, organisations working in educational provision for young people in Islington may contact the foundation directly via the Clerk at Nick Tindal ([email protected]) or through the main switchboard (020 7600 1801) to express interest in the foundation's work and discuss potential alignment.

Decision Timeline

The Advisory Committee meets periodically throughout the year to review funding recommendations. Specific decision timelines for unsolicited approaches are not publicly documented. Communication with the foundation is recommended to understand current funding priorities and decision schedules.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available, as the foundation does not operate a competitive application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as there is no formal application process. Organisations receiving funding may be considered for continuation or expansion of grants subject to performance monitoring and alignment with current funding priorities.

Application Success Factors

For organisations seeking consideration from this foundation:

  1. Address a Major Unmet Need - The foundation explicitly states that “proposals must contribute towards meeting a major need in the Borough not met by other grant-giving bodies.” Conduct a thorough needs analysis and demonstrate that your educational provision fills a genuine gap in Islington's education landscape.
  1. Target Young People Aged 5-18 - The foundation's age focus is strict: provision must benefit young people between ages 5-18 in primary or secondary education, or those residing in Islington who meet this criterion. Projects serving post-18 education will not be considered.
  1. Focus on Equity and Access - The foundation's recent investments (MEI Music Centres, Science for Life, Upward Bound) all emphasise removing barriers for disadvantaged young people. Demonstrating commitment to equity, inclusion, and access for underrepresented groups in your educational area is critical.
  1. Ensure Strong Governance and Safeguarding - The foundation requires organisations to have “appropriate governance, financial and safeguarding policies in place.” Investing in professional governance structures, transparent financial management, and comprehensive safeguarding frameworks increases confidence in your organisation.
  1. Develop Partnerships - The foundation supports collaborative programmes. Partnerships with schools, local authorities, and universities (particularly London Metropolitan University and City University, with which the foundation has worked) demonstrate credibility and increase leverage.
  1. Plan for Sustainability Through Co-funding - The foundation emphasises that “when possible, grants should be used to leverage additional matching funding alongside that of the Foundation.” Organisations that secure co-funding from schools, local authority education budgets, or other charitable sources are more attractive. This demonstrates sustainability planning and reduces dependency on a single funder.
  1. Demonstrate Educational Impact - Reference the foundation's long track record with Upward Bound (20+ years of operation, 1,000+ students supported) as an example of valued programmes. Develop robust evaluation frameworks that measure educational outcomes, student attainment, and long-term impact.
  1. Engage with Sector Networks - Active engagement with Islington schools, the local education authority, and professional educational bodies increases visibility with the Advisory Committee members who identify funding opportunities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This is a trustee discretion-based foundation without an open call for applications. Relationship building and visibility within Islington's education sector is essential.
  • Geographic Specificity: Funding is strictly limited to educational provision in the London Borough of Islington (except for core funding to Dame Alice Owen's School in Potters Bar). Out-of-borough initiatives will not be considered.
  • Age Restriction: All beneficiaries must be aged 5-18 in primary or secondary education. Post-18 provision is outside scope.
  • Unmet Need Focus: The foundation seeks to address major educational gaps not served by other funders. Articulate a clear, evidence-based need in your proposal.
  • Governance Matters: Robust financial management, governance structures, and safeguarding policies are non-negotiable. Poor governance is likely grounds for rejection.
  • Partnership and Co-funding: The foundation values collaborative approaches and expects organisations to leverage additional funding. Multi-stakeholder programmes with matched funding are significantly more attractive.
  • Established Relationships: The Advisory Committee's composition includes representatives from schools and the local authority. Building relationships within these institutions is critical for being identified as a potential beneficiary.
  • Patient Capital: With over 400 years of history, this is an institution that takes a long-term view. Programmes like Upward Bound (supported since 2006) demonstrate the foundation's commitment to established, evidence-based interventions.

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