Don Hanson Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £239,000 (2023 expenditure)
• Total Giving Since 2007: Over £1 million to 100+ charities
• Grant Range: Up to £1,000 (schools programme); larger grants by trustee discretion
• Geographic Focus: UK-based with international reach (USA, Australia)
• Application Method: Schools programme (rolling); general grants (invitation/trustee discretion)

Contact Details

Address: Room 3, Rose House, 70 Barnes High Street, Barnes, London SW13 9LD, United Kingdom

Email: andrew.fox@donhansoncharity.org (general inquiries); info@hansonbox.org (schools programme)

Phone: 0207 152 4533

Website: www.donhansoncharitablefoundation.org

Charity Number: 1122463

Overview

The Don Hanson Charitable Foundation was established in 2007 by James Donald Hanson (1935-2014), a former Managing Partner of Arthur Andersen UK and Deputy to the worldwide Chief Executive of Andersen Worldwide. Since its inception, the Foundation has supported over 100 charities and causes with more than £1 million in total giving. The Foundation's most recent publicly available financial data shows income of £69,690 and expenditure of £239,037 for the year ending 31 December 2023, demonstrating significant charitable distribution from reserves and accumulated funds.

The Foundation operates three primary programme areas: the Schools Programme (including the flagship Hanson Box educational resource project distributed to 56,500 primary schools worldwide), the DARWIN200 conservation leadership training initiative, and the Brighter Futures Programme supporting organisations working in education, mental health, nutrition, homelessness, and unemployment. The Foundation positions itself as “an incubator and accelerator of good causes” seeking to maximise impact at the frontline of need through sustainable partnerships with like-minded organisations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Schools Programme - Match-Funding Grants

• Amount: Up to £1,000 per school
• Eligibility: UK schools registered with Hanson Box programme
• Application Method: Rolling basis through hansonbox.org
• Focus: Projects that expand educational resources and inspire learning
• Recent Examples: Greenhouses, vegetable gardens, wild spaces, reading rooms, kitchen renovations, author visits, wellness spaces, high-altitude rocket launches
• Total Distributed: Over £20,000 to schools to date

Brighter Futures Programme

• Amount: Not publicly specified; grants determined by trustees
• Method: Strategic partnerships; no public application process
• Focus: Organisations working with individuals facing significant life challenges
• Current Partners: Nine named partner organisations including Nourish Community Foodbank, Refocus, Safer Communities Alliance CIC Kent

General Charitable Grants

• Method: Trustee discretion; invitation-based
• Approach: The Foundation states they want their “giving to have the maximum impact at the frontline of need, which often means supporting smaller organisations and projects”

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports causes across diverse sectors:

• Education: Primary schools, educational outreach, conservation education
• Healthcare & Medical Research: Cancer research, children's hospitals, dystonia, epilepsy
• Homelessness & Social Services: Food banks, homeless shelters, social welfare
• Mental Health: Organisations supporting mental health recovery and wellbeing
• Nutrition: Food security and community nutrition programmes
• Unemployment Support: Organisations helping people rebuild their lives
• Conservation: Wildlife conservation, environmental education
• Military & Veterans: Support for armed forces personnel and veterans
• International Development: Water, international aid organisations
• Child Protection: Safeguarding and protecting children worldwide

Past beneficiaries include: Aid to Church In Need, Cancer Research UK, Help for Heroes, Great Ormond Street Hospital, NSPCC, St. Mungo's, WaterAid, Oxfam, Prince Alice Hospice, Combat Stress, Dystonia Society, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Street Child United, and many others.

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation's website does not explicitly list exclusions. However, based on their stated focus on “frontline need” and support for “smaller organisations and projects,” they appear to prioritise:

• Direct service delivery over administrative overhead
• Organisations where funding can make measurable impact
• Causes aligned with founder Don Hanson's interests and geographic connections (UK, Russia, Far East, Australia, Vietnam)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Andrew M. Fox - Chairman of Trustees

Life Trustee since foundation in 2007. Former Eurobond trader, founder of Pacific Gemini financial services in Russian Far East, founder of Vladivostok Stock Exchange and Tiger Securities. British Honorary Consul to Russian Far East for 25 years. Economics and Land Economy graduate, Pembroke College, Cambridge. Met Don Hanson in 1996 and invested together across Russia, Thailand, Australia, America, and Vietnam. Also serves as Director of Internet Mobile Communications Ltd.

Simon M. J. Leary - Trustee

Life Trustee since the Foundation's inception. 30-year career including partnership at Big Four consulting firm. Senior adviser to global consulting firm with Middle East focus. Extensive emerging markets experience (6 years Asia-Pacific, 4 years Middle East). Advised World Bank and Asian Development Bank on public sector reform. Fellow of Royal Society of Arts and Royal Society of Medicine. Cambridge University, London Business School, and INSEAD graduate.

Paul Mercer - Trustee

Appointed September 2024. Founder and director of Welund risk consultancy. Engineering degree from Nottingham University. Background as researcher, journalist, and author. 12 years as elected borough councillor; 7 years cabinet member for housing, homelessness, and refugees in Charnwood. Charitable fundraising experience in Africa.

Jonathan Palmer - Trustee

Life Trustee since the Foundation's inception. Former senior financial analyst at Sainsburys and head of strategic planning at WHSmith plc. Founded The Bridge Management Group 30 years ago. Advisory experience with 15+ charities on governance, change management, and operational efficiency. MA Cambridge University, MSc Brunel University. Fellow of Royal Society of Arts.

Key Staff

Stewart McPherson - Manager, Schools Programme

Joined 2018. Manages Hanson Box project and Schools Programme. Co-founded DARWIN200. Authored 40 natural history books, created 3 wildlife TV documentary series, and organised 400+ expeditions to 40+ countries. Durham University and Yale University educated.

Caroline Cary - Events Coordinator

30+ years event organisation experience. Has raised over £4.5 million for charitable causes. Organised Foundation's fundraising events including the November 2023 “Protecting Children Worldwide” dinner.

Joanna Ploszynska - Administrator

Joined 2017. AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting; pursuing AAT Professional Diploma. Office administration and trustee support.

How to Apply to Don Hanson Charitable Foundation

How to Apply

For UK Schools:

Schools have a clear public application route through the Hanson Box programme:

1. Register for the Schools Programme at hansonbox.org
2. Request a free annual Hanson Box (educational resource box)
3. Access periodic match-funding grant opportunities (up to £1,000) throughout the year
4. Applications are rolling rather than fixed deadlines
5. Contact: info@hansonbox.org

For Other Organisations:

The Don Hanson Charitable Foundation does not operate a public application process for general charitable grants. Instead, the Foundation works through:

• Trustee Discretion: The four trustees identify and select charitable causes based on their assessment of need and impact
• Strategic Partnerships: The Foundation seeks “sustainable partnerships with organisations of like mind” through its Brighter Futures Programme
• Geographic Connections: Causes connected to areas important to founder Don Hanson (UK, particularly Yorkshire and London; Russian Far East; Australia; Vietnam; Thailand; USA)
• Network Referrals: Organisations may be identified through the trustees' extensive networks in business, consulting, and charitable sectors

Organisations cannot submit unsolicited grant applications for the general grant programme. However, charities working in the Foundation's priority areas may contact the Foundation to introduce their work:

• Email: andrew.fox@donhansoncharity.org
• Phone: 0207 152 4533

Decision Timeline

Schools Programme: Decision timelines not publicly specified; applications processed on rolling basis during active grant rounds

General Grants: No specified timeline; grants are awarded as trustees identify suitable recipients throughout the year

Success Rates

Schools Programme: Success rates not published, but over £20,000 has been distributed to schools, suggesting hundreds of grants awarded since 2019

General Grants: Not applicable; no open application process

Reapplication Policy

Schools Programme: Schools can apply for grants in multiple funding rounds; programme membership is ongoing

General Grants: Not applicable due to trustee-led selection process

Application Success Factors

Since the Foundation operates primarily through trustee discretion rather than open applications for general grants, traditional success factors differ from typical grant-makers. However, research reveals the following insights:

For Schools:

• Innovative Learning Projects: Successful grants have funded greenhouses, vegetable gardens, wild spaces, reading rooms, wellness spaces, and high-altitude rocket launches
• Match Funding: Projects that can secure matched funding demonstrate sustainability
• Connection to Hanson Box Themes: Projects aligned with conservation, geography, history, archaeology, or astronomy may resonate with the Foundation's educational mission
• Clear Educational Impact: Applications should demonstrate how resources will expand learning opportunities and inspire students

For Organisations Seeking Strategic Partnerships:

• Frontline Impact: The Foundation explicitly states they want “giving to have the maximum impact at the frontline of need”
• Smaller Organisations: The Foundation notes this “often means supporting smaller organisations and projects”
• Sustainability: They seek “sustainable partnerships” that can “grow their beneficial impact across wider catchment areas”
• Like-Minded Values: Partners should share the Foundation's focus on helping individuals facing significant challenges access brighter futures
• Capacity for Growth: The Foundation positions itself as “an incubator and accelerator of good causes”
• Geographic Relevance: Historical connections to UK (especially Yorkshire and London), Russia, Far East, Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, and USA may be advantageous
• Personal Networks: Given the trustee-led model, connections through the trustees' extensive business, consulting, and charitable networks may facilitate awareness

Observed Patterns from Past Support:

• Mix of well-known national charities (Cancer Research, Great Ormond Street, NSPCC) and smaller frontline organisations
• Strong representation of organisations addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and social welfare
• Support for both UK-based and international causes
• Long-term strategic partnerships rather than one-off grants (e.g., Jane Goodall Institute, Global's Make Some Noise)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Schools have a clear pathway: UK schools can directly access match-funding grants up to £1,000 by registering with the Hanson Box programme at hansonbox.org—this is the Foundation's only public application process

• General grants are invitation-based: For non-school organisations, there is no public application process; grants are awarded through trustee discretion and strategic partnership development rather than competitive applications

• Focus on frontline impact: The Foundation prioritises funding that reaches those in need directly, often through smaller organisations with lower overhead and greater community connection

• Strategic partnerships over one-off grants: The Foundation seeks long-term relationships with organisations through its Brighter Futures Programme, positioning itself as an “incubator and accelerator” rather than a traditional grant-maker

• Diverse trustee expertise: The four trustees bring extensive experience in accounting, finance, consulting, emerging markets investment, public sector reform, and local government, suggesting they value well-governed organisations with sound financial management

• Educational and conservation focus: Beyond general charitable support, the Foundation has significant commitment to education (56,500 Hanson Boxes distributed worldwide) and conservation (DARWIN200 project), making organisations in these sectors particularly aligned with their mission

• Network and relationship-driven: Given the trustee-led model and founder's background in global investment and business, organisations with connections to the trustees' networks or geographic areas of interest (UK, Russia, Far East, Australia, Vietnam) may have greater visibility

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Silver Lady Fund Incorporating The All Night Travelling Cafe
• The Patrick Rowland Foundation
• Tara Getty Foundation
• The Barbara Ward Children's Foundation
• The Desmond Foundation
• The Kentown Wizard Foundation
• The Rumi Foundation
• The Kenneth & Susan Green Charitable Foundation
• The Danson Foundation
• The Graham Kirkham Foundation

References

• Don Hanson Charitable Foundation - Official Website
• Charity Commission Register - Don Hanson Charitable Foundation 1122463
• About Don - Don Hanson Charitable Foundation
• Our People - Don Hanson Charitable Foundation
• Brighter Futures Programme - Don Hanson Charitable Foundation
• Strategic Partners - Don Hanson Charitable Foundation
• Who We Help - Don Hanson Charitable Foundation
• Schools Programme - Don Hanson Charitable Foundation
• Grant Programme for UK Schools - Hanson Box
• Hanson Box Project
• Oxford Diocesan Bucks Schools Trust - Don Hanson Charitable Foundation Essay Competition Success
• Avangrid Foundation Partnership Announcement

All sources.