Ellis Campbell Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £525,000 (approx, based on 2023 income)
• Success Rate: Not published (invitation/partnership-based model)
• Decision Time: N/A (does not accept unsolicited applications)
• Grant Range: £10,000+ (multi-year funding typical)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (focus on areas outside Greater London)
• Total Historical Giving: £3.7 million (inception to 2020)

Contact Details

Website: http://www.elliscampbellfoundation.org/

Email: laura@elliscampbell.co.uk or enquiries@elliscampbellfoundation.org

Phone: 01256 381821

Address: Shalden Park Steading, Shalden, Alton, Hampshire GU34 4DS

Pre-Application Contact: The foundation encourages organizations interested in their work to make contact to discuss potential collaboration, though they do not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Ellis Campbell Foundation was established in 1990 by Michael Campbell M.B.E., D.L. as a family charitable foundation. Between inception and 2020, the foundation distributed £3.7 million in grants across Hampshire, London, and Perthshire, initially prioritizing bridging education-to-employment gaps for disadvantaged young people. Following a comprehensive eight-month strategic review in 2020 led by Ten Years' Time (engaging over 80 experts including young changemakers), the foundation fundamentally pivoted its approach. The foundation now commits approximately £200,000 to Youth Power and Leadership initiatives, focusing on systemic change through youth-led opportunities for marginalized young people outside Greater London. With income of approximately £525,000 in 2023, the foundation operates as a small family institution with no full-time staff, now involving its sixth generation in strategic decisions. The foundation forms meaningful, long-term partnerships rather than responding to open applications, believing this approach maximizes impact through sustained commitment to established networks and pioneering youth-led organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Youth Power and Leadership Programme (Primary Focus Since 2020)

• Multi-year strategic partnerships typically in the £10,000+ range
• Application method: Partnership-based (no unsolicited applications accepted)
• The foundation has committed £200,000 to this strategic priority
• Focus on systemic change through power-based learning and development opportunities
• Supports both young people and “power holders” (adults in leadership positions)

Doris Campbell Memorial Fund (Hampshire-Specific)

• Managed through Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation
• Established in 2007 with £1 million donation
• Supports innovative youth-based projects in Hampshire
• Applications made directly to HIWCF, not the Ellis Campbell Foundation

Priority Areas

Core Focus: Youth Power and Leadership for marginalized young people outside Greater London

The foundation supports organizations that:

• Enable youth-led learning and development opportunities
• Create structural and systemic change in how young people access power
• Work with minoritized and marginalized young people (aged 12-27 predominantly)
• Provide young people with curatorial, creative, and decision-making agency
• Engage “power holders” to ensure leaders effectively listen to young people
• Deliver youth participation programs and youth-run initiatives

Current Grantee Partners Include:

• Advocacy Academy (national network of youth community organizations)
• Unloc (Seed 2030 Northern Ireland program and Portsmouth Young Changemakers)
• Leaders Unlocked (Young Justice Advisors initiative, ages 18-27)
• Rekindle (youth-run supplementary school in South Manchester)
• Conscious Youth (Voices2Action programme in Kirklees, ages 12-18)
• The Blagrave Trust (Challenge and Change Fund providing funding directly to young people)
• Build Up (young leaders creating permanent community spaces)
• Think Forward (youth participation program expansion)
• Foyer (ensuring young people in organizational leadership)
• Fumble (youth-co-created sex education content)
• Bluecoat's “Out of the Blue” (youth-curated creative projects)

Long-Term Ongoing Partners:

• Winchester Cathedral (Kings and Scribes project)
• Alton College Foundation (Craven Brothers Scholarships)
• Treloar Trust (Campbell Sports Fund)
• Whitchurch Silk Mill (apprenticeships)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's strategic focus means they do not fund:

• Projects based in Greater London (their explicit geographic exclusion)
• Traditional service delivery without youth leadership/power-building components
• Adult-led initiatives that do not center youth voice and agency
• Projects outside their Youth Power and Leadership strategic priority
• Organizations seeking one-off project grants (preference for multi-year partnerships)

Ready to write a winning application for Ellis Campbell Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (meets twice annually):

• Michael Campbell M.B.E., D.L. - Chairman and Founder
• Laura Montgomery - CEO and Trustee (qualified solicitor, fifth generation family member)
• Linda Campbell - Trust Secretary
• Alexandra Andrew - Trustee
• Jamie Campbell - Trustee
• Izzy Andrew - Trustee (sixth generation)
• Hugo Andrew - Trustee (sixth generation)
• William Andrew - Trustee (sixth generation)

According to the foundation, trustees “bring with them specific relevant areas of expertise, including financial, organisational, policy development and legal.”

Key Leadership Perspective from Laura Montgomery (CEO):

On effective philanthropy:

“Giving money away is easy but measuring impact is extremely difficult.”

On partnership approach:

“It has been such a rewarding process of engaging with the individuals we want to support, and we have been in a unique position to be in full listening mode and to be open to them and their inputs.”

On strategic thinking:

“As a small Foundation, there is simply less room for manoeuvre right now...This process has really challenged us to think about how we as philanthropists should be looking at the big picture.”

Laura Montgomery also serves on the Philanthropists Council for the Beacon Collaborative and the Ashoka Supporter Network, reflecting the foundation's commitment to systems-level change and collaborative philanthropy.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL: The Ellis Campbell Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

The foundation operates on a partnership-based model, stating: “We believe we can have the most impact by remaining committed to our partners and networks.”

For Organizations Interested in Their Work:

• Contact the foundation directly to discuss potential collaboration
• Phone: 01256 381821
• Email: laura@elliscampbell.co.uk or enquiries@elliscampbellfoundation.org
• The foundation forms meaningful, long-term partnerships with pioneering individuals and youth-led organizations
• Much of their limited funding is already committed to multi-year partnerships

For Hampshire-Based Projects:

• Apply to the Doris Campbell Memorial Fund through Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation
• This is a separate application process not managed by the Ellis Campbell Foundation directly

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation works on an invitation/partnership development model rather than a competitive application cycle.

Trustees meet twice annually to review grant partnerships focused on Youth Power and Leadership.

Success Rates

Not published. The foundation operates through strategic partnerships rather than open competition, making traditional success rate metrics irrelevant to their model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given their closed application process. However, the foundation's emphasis on multi-year funding and long-term partnerships suggests they prefer sustained relationships with existing partners rather than cycling through different organizations.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, these factors apply to organizations the foundation may approach or those building relationships:

What the Foundation Values

1. Youth-Led Approach

The foundation underwent a transformative strategic review that engaged “over 80 experts, including many extraordinary young changemakers.” This demonstrates their commitment to centering young people's voices in strategy, not just programming.

2. Systemic Change Focus

Laura Montgomery is “passionate about the youth led work the Foundation is supporting and the transformational impact it has both directly on young people and at the system change level.” Organizations should demonstrate impact beyond individual beneficiaries.

3. Deep Listening and Co-Creation

The foundation values being “in full listening mode and open to” community input. They spent seven months developing their strategy through extensive consultation, suggesting they seek partners who similarly engage stakeholders deeply.

4. Power-Based Learning

The foundation specifically supports “power based learning and development opportunities for both young people and power holders.” Effective partners help both youth and adult leaders understand and shift power dynamics.

5. Geographic Alignment

Projects must serve “minoritised and marginalised young people based outside of Greater London.” This geographic restriction is a firm strategic commitment.

6. Multi-Year Partnership Readiness

The foundation explicitly states “much is committed to multi year funding.” Organizations should be prepared for sustained engagement rather than short-term project support.

7. Collaborative Leverage

Laura Montgomery highlights enthusiasm for “supporting the collaboration of a brilliant group of changemakers, leveraging the support of the Foundation beyond purely the grant level.” The foundation values network connections and learning across their portfolio.

Language and Terminology They Use

• “Youth Power and Leadership” (their core strategic framework)
• “Minoritised and marginalised young people”
• “Youth-led” and “youth-run”
• “Power holders” (adults in positions of authority)
• “Systemic change” and “structural change”
• “Transformational impact”
• “Pioneering” organizations and individuals
• “Meaningful, long-term partnerships”

Strategic Context

The foundation's 2020 strategic review examined youth experiences across education, housing, youth services, criminal justice, mental health, and the care system. Partners whose work touches on these systemic issues while centering youth leadership align with their strategic understanding.

During COVID-19, the foundation balanced emergency response (£100,000 to COVID relief) with long-term strategic commitments, demonstrating they understand the tension between immediate needs and sustained change.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Direct Applications Not Possible: The Ellis Campbell Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Building awareness and relationships through their networks (Beacon Collaborative, Ashoka, grantee partners) may be the only pathway to their consideration.

1. Youth Must Lead, Not Just Benefit: The foundation's strategic pivot emphasizes youth agency, voice, and decision-making power - not merely programming for young people. Projects where adults lead and youth participate will not align.

1. Geographic Restriction Is Firm: The foundation explicitly focuses on areas “outside of Greater London.” London-based organizations should not pursue this funder for their core work (though the foundation maintains some historical London partnerships).

1. Think Multi-Year, Not Project: The foundation commits to sustained partnerships typically spanning multiple years. Organizations seeking one-off project funding should look elsewhere.

1. Systemic Change Over Service Delivery: With their emphasis on “systemic” and “structural” change, the foundation seeks partners who can demonstrate impact on power dynamics and systems, not just quality services.

1. Small But Strategic: With approximately £525,000 annual income and £200,000 committed to Youth Power and Leadership, this is a small foundation making targeted investments. Their reach is limited but their partnership approach is deep.

1. Hampshire Alternative: For Hampshire-based youth projects, the Doris Campbell Memorial Fund (managed by HIWCF) may be an accessible alternative with an open application process, though this fund has separate criteria and governance.

References

1. Ellis Campbell Foundation official website - Grant Applications page: https://www.elliscampbellfoundation.org/grant-applications

1. Ellis Campbell Foundation official website - About Us: https://www.elliscampbellfoundation.org/about-us

1. Ellis Campbell Foundation official website - Current Grants: https://www.elliscampbellfoundation.org/current-grants

1. Ellis Campbell Foundation official website - Laura Montgomery profile: https://www.elliscampbellfoundation.org/laura-montgomery

1. The Beacon Collaborative - “Difficult Decisions” case study featuring Laura Montgomery: https://www.beaconcollaborative.org.uk/story/difficult-decisions/

1. Ellis Campbell Foundation - “Difficult Decisions” article on philanthropy approach: https://www.elliscampbellfoundation.org/philanthropy/difficult-decisions

1. UK Charity Commission - Ellis Campbell Foundation (802717) registered charity information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=802717

1. Ellis Campbell Foundation official website - Doris Campbell Memorial Fund: https://www.elliscampbellfoundation.org/doris-campbell-memorial-fund

1. Ellis Campbell Group - The Ellis Campbell Foundation overview: https://www.elliscampbellgroup.com/the-ellis-campbell-foundation/