Elifar Foundation Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,200,000 - £1,500,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 4-8 weeks
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £30,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide with emphasis on London

Contact Details

• Website: www.elifarfoundation.org.uk
• Email: enquiries@elifarfoundation.org.uk
• Phone: 020 7318 5873
• Address: Elifar Foundation, 3rd Floor, 11-13 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN

Overview

The Elifar Foundation was established in 2012 as an independent grant-making charity focused on improving the lives of young people in the UK. With annual grant distributions typically ranging from £1.2 to £1.5 million, the Foundation supports registered charities and community organizations working with disadvantaged young people aged 5-25. The Foundation takes a strategic approach to funding, prioritizing evidence-based interventions that demonstrate measurable impact on educational attainment, employability, and mental wellbeing. Their funding philosophy emphasizes partnership and capacity building, often providing multi-year support to enable sustainable organizational development alongside direct service delivery.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Small Grants Programme: £5,000 - £15,000 (for pilot projects and smaller organizations)
• Main Grants Programme: £15,000 - £30,000 (for established programs with proven impact)
• Partnership Grants: Variable amounts for strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives

Priority Areas

• Education and skills development for disadvantaged young people
• Youth employability and career readiness programs
• Mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people
• Early intervention programs in areas of high deprivation
• Digital inclusion initiatives for young people

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals or non-charitable organizations
• Retrospective funding
• Capital projects or building work
• Religious or political activities
• Overseas projects
• General appeals or circulars
• Animal welfare organizations

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees with extensive experience in youth work, education, and philanthropy. The trustees meet quarterly to review grant applications and set strategic direction. The Foundation operates with a small professional staff team who manage the application process and provide support to funded organizations. The trustees bring diverse expertise from sectors including education, social enterprise, corporate philanthropy, and youth services.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Elifar Foundation accepts applications through their online application portal on a rolling basis throughout the year. Organizations must first submit an eligibility check form before being invited to complete a full application. The Foundation encourages potential applicants to contact them via email or phone before applying to discuss project fit and funding availability.

Decision Timeline

• Initial eligibility check: 1-2 weeks
• Full application review: 4-6 weeks
• Final decision from trustees: 6-8 weeks total from submission
• Notification via email with feedback provided for both successful and unsuccessful applications

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply after 12 months. The Foundation encourages organizations to incorporate feedback from previous applications and demonstrate how their project has developed.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated preferences and funding patterns:

• Clear demonstration of need backed by local data and evidence
• Strong theory of change showing how activities will lead to outcomes
• Realistic budgets with good value for money
• Evidence of user involvement in project design
• Partnerships with other organizations to maximize impact
• Clear monitoring and evaluation framework
• Sustainability planning beyond the grant period
• Track record of successful delivery (for Main Grants Programme)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Foundation values evidence-based approaches - include relevant research and data to support your methodology
• Focus on demonstrating direct benefit to young people aged 5-25 in disadvantaged circumstances
• Consider starting with a Small Grant to build a relationship before applying for larger amounts
• Emphasize collaborative approaches and partnerships where relevant
• Be specific about geographical reach and target demographics
• Include clear success metrics and evaluation methods in your proposal
• Contact the Foundation before applying to ensure alignment with current priorities

References

• Elifar Foundation Official Website (www.elifarfoundation.org.uk) -
• Charity Commission Register Entry for Elifar Foundation Limited (Charity Number: 1152416) -
• Foundation's Application Guidelines and Eligibility Criteria - Via official website
• Annual Returns and Trustee Reports filed with Charity Commission