Dukes Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £102,487 (year ending 31 March 2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK and global

Contact Details

Website: www.dukesfoundation.org.uk

Email: glen.fendley@dukeseducation.com

Phone: 02036965300

Registered Charity Number: 1197007

Overview

The Dukes Foundation, established in 2021 (charity number 1197007), is the charitable arm of Dukes Education, a UK-based family of independent schools. The Foundation's mission is to “change lives, create opportunities and spread hope by connecting children, families and communities to the compassionate and empowering spirit at the heart of Dukes.” With income of £424,344 and expenditure of £102,487 in the year ending March 2023, the Foundation operates through two main streams: grant-making to external charitable organizations and providing transformational bursaries to young people from low-income backgrounds. The Foundation is embarking on an ambitious campaign to become the largest provider of transformational bursaries in the UK, while simultaneously supporting life-changing charities that align with their values of inclusivity, passion, and meaningful impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Extraordinary Impact Initiative: Grants throughout the year to diverse projects with potential for lasting change (amounts not disclosed, invitation-only basis)
• Transformational Bursaries Programme: Supporting young people from low-income backgrounds to access education at Dukes schools

Priority Areas

• Mental health and wellbeing for young people
• Education access and opportunity
• Children's healthcare
• Environmental sustainability
• Financial assistance for families in need

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but focus is clearly on youth-centered causes (particularly those under 25), education, mental health, and community support

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Governance and Leadership

Aatif Hassan - Chairman: Founder of Dukes Foundation and Dukes Education (2015). Also chairs Cavendish Education and serves as trustee of St James Independent Schools.

Glen Fendley - Chief Executive: Nearly 30-year career as prominent UK fundraiser. Previous roles at NSPCC, WWF-UK, and Girls Day School Trust. States he is “highly motivated to make a difference for charitable organisations who play key roles in transforming the lives of young people.”

Magoo Giles - Trustee: Principal and Founder of Knightsbridge School. 27 years in education sector following military service. Founded Knightsbridge School Education Foundation (2008), providing 100% bursaries to 28 children.

Youth Advisory Board: Ensures young people have meaningful voice influencing Board of Trustees and Foundation's work.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Foundation identifies potential funding partners through their leadership, staff, and stakeholders across the Dukes Education family. Grant-making decisions are made at trustee discretion following a “robust, fair, and transparent evaluation process.”

Organizations can contact Chief Executive Glen Fendley at glen.fendley@dukeseducation.com to discuss potential partnerships.

Getting on Their Radar

• Connect with Dukes Education network: Build relationships with leadership and staff within Dukes Education schools (Knightsbridge School, London Park Schools, Heathside School, Eaton House School, and others)
• Engage with Youth Advisory Board: Demonstrate meaningful youth involvement in your work
• Contact Glen Fendley directly: The CEO welcomes discussions about supporting the Foundation's mission
• Partner with Dukes schools: Explore collaboration opportunities with individual schools in the Dukes family

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Timelines likely vary by project and relationship.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only model.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly stated, though ongoing partnerships with organizations like London Youth and Place2Be suggest multi-year relationships are maintained.

Application Success Factors

Youth Focus and Early Intervention: Glen Fendley emphasizes "a person's early years are their most formative." Recent grants to London Youth's “Good for Girls” programme (engaging 144 girls, training 44 peer mentors) and Place2Be (6,901 pupils in counselling) demonstrate priority for early intervention.

Evidence of Transformational Impact: Foundation seeks projects with “potential to effect lasting change.” Recent support includes PAPYRUS (youth suicide prevention), Ruth Strauss Foundation (supporting families facing terminal illness), and Rwanda Action (education access aligned with Rwanda's VISION 2050).

Alignment with Foundation Values: Demonstrate inclusivity, meaningfulness, passion, ambition, and collaboration. The Foundation particularly values ensuring all young people, regardless of background, have opportunities to participate fully.

Mental Health Priority: Strong track record supporting mental health charities including Place2Be, PAPYRUS, and The Mix, recognizing the "crisis in young people's mental health, particularly affecting young women from disadvantaged backgrounds."

Addressing Inequality: Foundation explicitly aims to “break the cycle of unequal opportunities,” noting 18-month to 2-year attainment gaps between wealthy and poor pupils.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No traditional application process - focus on relationship building through Dukes Education network rather than application deadlines
• Glen Fendley is approachable - as veteran fundraiser himself, CEO welcomes contact and discussion about alignment
• Youth voice matters significantly - Youth Advisory Board influences trustee decisions, so meaningful youth engagement essential
• Mental health and education are twin priorities - consistent focus on these interconnected areas for disadvantaged young people
• Think transformational, not transactional - demonstrate long-term impact and lasting change, not just short-term outputs
• Connect through schools - with schools throughout UK, building relationships with Dukes Education leadership and staff is key entry point
• Early intervention valued - position work in context of formative early years and importance of timely support

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Elifar Foundation Limited
• THE KENORA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• Viquaran Nisa Noon and Firoz Khan Noon Educational Foundation
• The Danson Foundation
• Wellington Management UK Foundation
• Young K&C
• The Wogen Anniversary Trust
• The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation - London Division
• STAR Foundation
• Jack Petchey Foundation

References

• Dukes Foundation official website: https://dukesfoundation.org.uk/
• “Who we are” - Dukes Foundation: https://dukesfoundation.org.uk/who-we-are/
• “Our Grant Programme” - Dukes Foundation: https://dukesfoundation.org.uk/our-partnership-approach/our-grant-programme/
• “Mission, Purpose and Values” - Dukes Foundation: https://dukesfoundation.org.uk/mission-purpose-and-values/
• “Our Partners” - Dukes Foundation: https://dukesfoundation.org.uk/our-partners/
• Partnership pages for London Youth, Place2Be, Ruth Strauss Foundation, PAPYRUS
• Trustee profiles for Glen Fendley and Magoo Giles
• “Youth Advisory Board” - Dukes Foundation: https://dukesfoundation.org.uk/yab/
• UK Charity Commission Register - DUKES FOUNDATION (1197007)
• “Dukes Foundation” - Dukes Education: https://dukeseducation.com/dukes-foundation/