Denise Coates Foundation

Charity Number: 1149110

Annual Expenditure: £13.0M
Throughout England

Contact Info

Phone: 08456000365

Be the first to know about new funding opportunities

Get notified when we add new funders to the directory

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £3.6 million - £9 million (varies year to year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-based model)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: £20,000 - £2,182,928
  • Geographic Focus: Local (particularly Staffordshire), national, and international

Contact Details

Address: Denise Coates Foundation, bet365 House, Media Way, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5SZ

Phone: 08456000365

Alternative Contact: Mr Simon Galletley, Denise Coates Foundation, c/o Baker Tilly, Festival Way, Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 5BB

Note: The Trust does not currently maintain a website or an email account.

Overview

The Denise Coates Foundation was established in August 2012 as the bet365 Foundation and renamed in February 2016. The Foundation distributes funds in support of local, national, and international charitable activities, with particular emphasis on the Staffordshire area. The Foundation operates with substantial reserves (£568.4 million as of 2021) and has committed over £100 million in donations since inception. Recent annual giving has ranged from £3.6 million to £9 million, supporting between 12 and 23 charities per year. The Foundation is known for making substantial grants to large-scale projects rather than numerous small grants, with 22 out of 23 charities in one year receiving more than £20,000 each.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates through an invitation-based model rather than open applications. Typical grant amounts range from £20,000 to over £2 million for major capital projects.

Recent Examples:

  • Capital Projects: £1.2 million (New Vic Theatre for building improvements)
  • Major Facilities: £2.18 million (Sandbach Gymnastics Foundation for facility renovation)
  • Medical Research: £1.3 million (Chronic Disease Research Foundation for cardiovascular research)
  • Operational Support: £283,810 (Douglas Macmillan Hospice for day therapy unit)
  • Student Bursaries: Up to £2,000 per student (Staffordshire and Keele Universities)

Application Method: Letter of introduction advised; selected charities invited to present to trustees. No rolling applications or fixed deadlines publicly advertised.

Priority Areas

The Foundation provides significant grants to UK registered charities operating in the UK and/or overseas in these areas:

  • Health and Welfare: Including hospice care, NHS support (£10 million COVID-19 donation to University Hospitals of North Midlands)
  • Medical Research and Development: Particularly cardiovascular disease research
  • Education and Training: Student bursaries, educational facilities
  • Community Development: Facilities for healthy recreation and community participation
  • Arts and Culture: Theatre facilities, cultural programs
  • Disaster Recovery: Including £1 million for Ukraine relief, Typhoon Haiyan relief
  • International Development: Past recipients include Oxfam and CAFOD

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, the Foundation's focus on large grants for substantial projects suggests:

  • Small-scale projects under £20,000 are less likely to be considered
  • The Foundation proactively identifies causes rather than responding to all applications

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is led by trustees who assess proposals based on alignment with the Foundation's objectives. Denise Coates, founder of bet365, established the Foundation and provides ongoing financial support through her business enterprises.

Key Personnel: Mr Simon Galletley (contact for grants administration)

The Foundation operates with a strategic approach, building cash and investment reserves with a policy to spread income and investment earnings over one to five years, ensuring sustainable long-term grantmaking.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation operates a distinctive model: “The Foundation tends to identify charities that it wishes to support, hence a letter of introduction is advised.”

Steps:

  1. Send a letter of introduction to the Foundation at the Stoke-on-Trent address
  2. If selected, charities are invited to present proposals to the Foundation's trustees
  3. Presentation must detail how a donation would be used and the benefits it would deliver
  4. Trustees assess alignment with Foundation objectives to determine grant awards

Important: This is not an open application process. The Foundation proactively identifies organizations it wishes to support.

Decision Timeline

Specific timeframes are not publicly disclosed. Given the requirement for formal presentations to trustees, applicants should anticipate a multi-stage process.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The Foundation awarded grants to 23 charities in one reported year and 12 institutions in another, suggesting a highly selective process.

Reapplication Policy

No information is publicly available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment:

  • The Foundation favors large grants for substantial, transformational projects rather than numerous small awards
  • Strong preference for capital projects that create lasting infrastructure (e.g., building renovations, facility development)
  • Multi-year commitments for research and operational support demonstrate the Foundation's interest in sustainable impact

Geographic Advantage:

  • While the Foundation supports national and international causes, there is clear evidence of strong support for Staffordshire-based organizations
  • Local charities like Douglas Macmillan Hospice have received cumulative funding exceeding £2.6 million over multiple years
  • Student bursaries target those living within 20 miles of Staffordshire University campuses

Successful Project Examples:

  • New Vic Theatre: £1.2 million for “long overdue” building improvements, particularly backstage facilities
  • Sandbach Gymnastics Foundation: £2.18 million creating “one of the best equipped facilities in the country”
  • Chronic Disease Research Foundation: £1.3 million for multi-year research programs with clear deliverables
  • Douglas Macmillan Hospice: Multiple grants totaling over £2.6 million for operational support

Relationship Building:

  • The Foundation shows commitment to repeat funding for organizations demonstrating impact
  • The invitation-based model suggests networking and visibility within the philanthropic sector is valuable
  • Personal presentations to trustees are required, indicating the importance of compelling communication

Scale and Impact:

  • Projects should demonstrate significant community benefit or research impact
  • Clear articulation of how funding will be used and measurable benefits is essential
  • Capital projects should show how they address long-standing needs or create transformational change

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-based model: Proactive outreach through a letter of introduction is essential, but the Foundation primarily identifies charities it wishes to support rather than responding to open applications
  • Think big: With 22 out of 23 grants exceeding £20,000 and several exceeding £1 million, this Foundation favors substantial, transformational projects over small-scale initiatives
  • Local advantage: Staffordshire-based organizations or those serving the local community have clear precedent of success, with repeat funding demonstrating long-term commitment
  • Be prepared to present: Selected charities must present formally to trustees, so strong communication skills and compelling case articulation are critical
  • Long-term relationships: Evidence of repeat funding to organizations like Douglas Macmillan Hospice (£2.6 million cumulative) suggests building ongoing relationships is valued
  • Capital and infrastructure: Recent major grants have focused on buildings, facilities, and equipment rather than short-term program costs
  • No online presence: The absence of a website or email means traditional correspondence and relationship-building approaches are necessary

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

References