David And Elaine Potter Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??1,000,000 (average)
• Total Grants Since 1999: ??23 million+
• Grant Range: ??5,000 - ??150,000
• Average Grant: ??20,000
• Core Funding: ??50,000 - ??100,000
• Geographic Focus: UK (primarily), with some international civil society work
• Application Method: Invitation only (but enquiries welcomed)
• Multi-year Grants: Up to 3 years available

Contact Details

Website: www.potterfoundation.com

Email: info@potterfoundation.com

Phone: 020 3915 9283

Address: 6 Hamilton Close, London NW8 8QY, United Kingdom

Pre-application Support: Organizations are encouraged to email to discuss eligibility before formal invitation

Overview

Established in 1999 by Dr. David Potter CBE (founder of Psion) and Dr. Elaine Potter, the David and Elaine Potter Foundation works to encourage a stronger and fairer society. Since inception, the foundation has distributed over ??23 million to registered charities in the UK and abroad, averaging ??1 million annually in recent years. The foundation's mission is to support projects promoting reason, accountability, and education that will improve understanding, human rights, good governance, and a stronger civil society. Initially focused on improving education in Africa, the foundation evolved its strategy after recognizing that education often struggles without strong governance and civil society structures. Today, 80-90% of annual funding supports Education and Civil Society priorities, with the remaining 10-20% directed to Arts and family interests. The foundation is a member of the International Education Funders Group and the Ariadne Network, demonstrating its commitment to collaborative philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Education Grants: ??5,000 - ??150,000

• Technical and vocational education programs
• Out-of-school and after-school mentoring initiatives
• Life skills and employability preparation
• Young leadership development
• Pilot projects and proof of concept initiatives
• Projects that can influence education policy
• Exploring new technology in education

Civil Society Grants: ??5,000 - ??150,000

• Transparency and accountability initiatives
• Anti-corruption and good governance
• Human rights advocacy
• Investigative journalism
• Democracy and rule of law projects
• Addressing inequality and power imbalances
• Natural resource governance

Core Funding: ??50,000 - ??100,000

• Unrestricted grants available
• Multi-year funding up to 3 years
• Co-funding partnerships welcomed

Application Method: Strictly by invitation only, though organizations can email to discuss eligibility. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after invitation.

Priority Areas

Education (UK only):

• Projects supporting economic and social well-being
• Improving policy, practices, and techniques
• Sustainability-focused initiatives
• Programs providing opportunities to excluded groups
• Evidence-based educational interventions

Civil Society (UK-based organizations, global work):

• Transparency and accountability
• Anti-corruption and good governance
• Human rights (including drone impact)
• Investigative journalism
• Rule of law and democracy
• Citizenship and equality
• Misuse of natural resources

Cross-cutting Themes:

• Building networks
• Unlocking and enabling potential
• Catalysing change
• Evidence-based approaches
• Research and knowledge sharing

What They Don't Fund

• Individual applicants
• Community Interest Companies
• Political organizations
• Religious organizations serving only their members
• Individual schools or school projects
• School buildings, rebuilding, or equipment
• Project scaling or expansion
• Individual student bursaries
• Clinical trials
• Capital works
• Civic/citizenship education programs
• Local community issues (civil society must be UK-based with global context)
• Projects in countries other than UK (Note: Previously funded South Africa but no longer considering applications there)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Dr. David Potter CBE (Co-Founder)

• Founded Psion in 1980 and created Symbian Limited
• Academic background: Trinity College Cambridge (Natural Sciences), Imperial College (Mathematical Physics doctorate)
• Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineers

Dr. Elaine Potter (Co-Founder)

• D.Phil from Nuffield College, Oxford (Political Role of the Press in South Africa)
• Former journalist and author
• Chair: Centre for Investigative Journalism
• Trustee: Bureau of Investigative Journalism, openDemocracy, Index on Censorship, University of Cape Town Trust

Sam Potter

• Background: Westminster School, Magdalen College Oxford (Physics)
• Former HSBC Private Bank analyst
• Current: Film producer (documentary and feature films)

Michael Polonsky

• Education: Universities of Witwatersrand and Oxford
• Career: Lawyer, former partner at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP

Michael Langley

• Chartered Accountant, Oxford graduate
• Former Financial Director at Psion

Charlotte Langley

• Chief Customer Officer at Bloom & Wild Group
• Background: Cambridge University, marketing and beauty industry

Adam Polonsky

• Education: St Paul's School, UCL Law
• Lawyer at Macfarlanes and Stephenson Harwood

Director

Ben Stewart

• Background: Cambridge University
• Previous roles: UK Sport (international development programme), Slaughter and May (community affairs), Wellcome Trust (public engagement with science grants, 7 years)
• Over 20 years' experience in grant-making across public, private, and foundation sectors

Foundation Philosophy

The foundation operates on the principle that “in order for education to flourish it needs to be underpinned by a strong civil society.” They evolved from focusing solely on education in Africa to supporting civil society after recognizing that governance failures???inequality and corruption???hampered educational progress.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Invitation-Only Process:

1. Initial Enquiry: Email info@potterfoundation.com to discuss whether your work fits their remit
2. Eligibility Discussion: Foundation staff will assess alignment with funding priorities
3. Invitation: If suitable, the foundation will invite a formal application
4. Application Portal: Invited organizations submit through FlexiGrant system (potterfoundation.flexigrant.com)

Note: The foundation does NOT accept or consider unsolicited applications. However, they explicitly welcome enquiries from organizations who believe their work aligns with foundation priorities.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on a rolling basis after invitation rather than fixed funding rounds. Organizations should enquire directly about expected timeframes for their specific application.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. Given the invitation-only model, the foundation proactively identifies and invites organizations whose work aligns with their priorities, suggesting a more selective but potentially higher success rate than open application processes.

Reapplication Policy

Reporting Requirements:

• One report typically required one year after grant award
• Annual reports for multi-year grants
• Organizations must notify foundation of any proposed changes to grant use

Reapplication: Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly stated, but the invitation-only model suggests the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with organizations in their areas of interest.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Stated Preferences

Funding Approach: The foundation values:

• Unrestricted funding: “The foundation recognises the benefits of unrestricted funding and will consider providing grants which are not restricted to the direct costs of a particular project or programme and which can be used for general core costs”
• Multi-year support: Willing to provide up to 3-year grants “where the needs of the programme or organisation require it”
• Co-funding partnerships: Open to partnering with other grant-making organizations
• Evidence-based approaches: Encourage “the use of a strong evidence base”

Recent Grant Recipients as Examples

Civil Society:

• Bureau of Investigative Journalism (??250,000 in 2024)
• Reprieve (??30,000 in 2024)
• Amnesty International
• Global Witness
• Human Rights Watch
• Transparency International UK
• Frontline Club

Education:

• The Access Project
• intoUniversity
• Future Frontiers
• MyBigCareer
• Engineering Development Trust
• The Brilliant Club

Arts (10-20% of funding):

• Almeida Theatre
• National Theatre
• Royal Court Theatre
• Royal Opera House
• English Stage Company

Strategic Characteristics

The foundation looks for projects that demonstrate:

• Building networks: Creating connections and collaboration
• Unlocking potential: Enabling people and organizations to achieve more
• Catalysing change: Creating ripple effects beyond immediate project
• Evidence-based: Strong research foundation and measurable impact
• Addressing power imbalances: Supporting those without a voice
• Sustainability: Long-term viability and impact

Education Priorities in Detail

The foundation particularly values:

• Pilot projects and proof of concept: Testing innovative approaches
• Policy influence potential: Projects that can shape broader education practice
• Technology exploration: New applications of technology in learning
• Access and inclusion: Programs supporting excluded or disadvantaged groups
• Technical/vocational focus: Practical skills for employment

Civil Society Priorities in Detail

Projects should:

• Be UK-based organizations (though work can be global)
• Address cross-border or non-geographic issues
• Focus on systemic change rather than local issues
• Support transparency, accountability, and governance
• Address questions of power, inequality, and voice

Language and Terminology

The foundation uses language emphasizing:

• “Stronger and fairer society”
• “Reason, accountability and education”
• “Evidence-based”
• “Plural, rational and tolerant society”
• “Understanding, human rights, good governance”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Don't Apply Directly: This is strictly invitation-only, but DO email info@potterfoundation.com with a concise explanation of how your work aligns with their priorities. They explicitly welcome these enquiries.

1. Think Systemically: The foundation evolved from direct education funding to supporting civil society infrastructure. They value projects with potential for broader impact, policy influence, or catalytic effect rather than localized or scaling initiatives.

1. Evidence is Essential: Strong research foundations, measurable outcomes, and contribution to the evidence base are recurring themes. Pilot projects and proof of concept work are particularly valued.

1. Core Funding is Available: Unlike many funders, they explicitly recognize the value of unrestricted funding and will consider core costs. Don't feel you must design a restricted project???core funding requests of ??50,000-??100,000 are typical.

1. Multi-year Relationships: The foundation offers up to 3-year grants and values ongoing partnerships. Frame your ask in terms of sustained support if appropriate, and highlight how the relationship could develop over time.

1. UK-Based with Global Reach: For civil society work, you must be UK-registered but can work globally. Education grants are UK-only. Note that South Africa funding has been discontinued despite historical focus.

1. Strategic Alignment with UN SDGs: The foundation aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals and is part of collaborative funder networks (International Education Funders Group, Ariadne Network). Demonstrating how your work fits broader development frameworks may strengthen positioning.

References

• David and Elaine Potter Foundation official website: https://potterfoundation.com
• “Apply for funding” page: https://potterfoundation.com/apply_for_funding.html
• “About the Foundation” page: https://potterfoundation.com/about_the_foundation.html
• “Causes we support - Introduction”: https://potterfoundation.com/causes_we_support/introduction.html
• “Civil Society” priorities: https://potterfoundation.com/causes_we_support/civil_society/introduction.html
• “Education” priorities: https://potterfoundation.com/causes_we_support/education/introduction.html
• “Who We Are” (Trustees): https://potterfoundation.com/who_we_are.html
• “Grant recipients”: https://potterfoundation.com/grant_recipients.html
• UK Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1078217
• 360Giving GrantNav data: https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-1078217
• Inside Philanthropy profile: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/p-grants/david-and-elaine-potter-foundation
• Giving is Great donor profile: https://givingisgreat.org/donor-detail/?donorID=GB-CHC-1078217