Fiftyfour Two Foundation (54:2 Foundation)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??158,000 (approximate, based on recent expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (unsolicited applications not accepted)
• Decision Time: Not specified (invitation-based)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: UK (Bristol, London, East Midlands) and international (Zimbabwe)
• Grant Duration: Typically 3-year commitments

Contact Details

Website: www.fiftyfourtwo.org

Email: hello@fiftyfourtwo.org

Phone: 0333 3447 542

Address: London, UK

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Contact is primarily for organizations invited to apply or for initial relationship-building inquiries.

Overview

Founded in 2018, the Fiftyfour Two Foundation (54:2 Foundation) is a UK-registered charity (number 1180441) that partners with charitable organizations working to relieve and prevent poverty, advance education and opportunities, and further the Christian faith. The foundation operates with a distinctive approach, focusing its grants on a limited number of charities to enable larger grant amounts and medium-term support commitments. With annual grant-making expenditure of approximately ??158,000, the foundation maintains exceptionally low overhead costs (just 2.1% administrative expenses, with 97.9% going directly to grants). The foundation's grant-making is largely conducted through engaging with charitable organizations local to their trustees in Bristol, London, and the East Midlands, as well as international work in Zimbabwe.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a targeted, relationship-based grant-making approach:

• Medium-Term Partnership Grants: Typically 3-year funding commitments to enable strategic planning and transformative initiatives
• Organizational Development Support: Investments in governance and administrative capacity building
• Core Costs and Overhead Funding: Focus on areas that prove more difficult for charities to fund, such as overheads and administration
• Application Method: Invitation-only (does not accept unsolicited applications)

Priority Areas

Charitable Objectives:

• Relief and prevention of poverty
• Advancement of education and opportunities of all kinds
• Furthering the Christian faith
• Advancing the effectiveness and efficiency of charities

Strategic Focus:

• Local, relatively small organizations operating from a Christian philosophy of service
• Organizations addressing significant social challenges with a roadmap to sustainability
• Organizations and individuals with which trustees have first-hand experience
• Projects where funding can make a meaningful difference
• Well-governed and administered charities
• Infrastructure projects (such as the Ebenezer project in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe)

Additional Support Beyond Grants:

• Networking opportunities
• Strategy development
• Coaching and expertise
• Consultancy services

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's approach indicates they do not fund:

• Organizations without a connection to their trustees
• Unsolicited applications from unknown organizations
• Projects outside their core charitable objectives
• Large, well-established charities (preference for smaller organizations)

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by five trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The charity has no trading subsidiaries.

Trustees:

William Dalziel (Chairman)

Worked in investment and insurance internationally before retiring in 2018. Now serves as a Non-Executive Director in business and on charity boards. Has particular interest in Zimbabwe, where he is involved in both business and charitable work. His background in finance and international development brings strategic oversight to the foundation's grant-making.

Hilary Dalziel

Served as Pastor at Kings Church, South East London from 2008-2024, with a background in healthcare. Her expertise includes pastoral care, chaplaincy, and coaching. Currently works part-time for the 54:2 Foundation, bringing hands-on operational insight to grant assessment. Based in Market Harborough.

Eleanor Dalziel

Structural engineer who serves as Governor of St Paul's Nursery School & Children's Centre and is an active member of City Church in Bristol. Her governance experience and Bristol connections inform the foundation's work in that region.

Chris Dalziel

Works in investment management and serves as Chair and Trustee of a local Scout group. Based in Market Harborough with interests in cycling and youth development.

Jenni Stirrup

Former primary school teacher who now works at Boromi, a nonprofit provider of early-years play libraries focused on empowering families to connect and play together. Based in Market Harborough, bringing education and family services expertise to the board.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Critical Information: The 54:2 Foundation does not consider unsolicited grant applications.

The foundation has concluded that it can be most effective by focusing grants on a limited number of charities, enabling larger grant amounts and medium-term commitments. The foundation identifies potential partners through:

• Existing relationships with trustees
• Local connections in Bristol, London, and the East Midlands
• First-hand experience and direct knowledge of organizations
• Network referrals and strategic relationship building

Organizations interested in connecting with the foundation may contact them at hello@fiftyfourtwo.org or 0333 3447 542, though this is primarily for relationship-building rather than formal applications.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified, as the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. Decision timelines would be communicated directly to invited organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable in traditional terms. The foundation reports having “considered over 50 Grant applications” historically before shifting to their current focused, invitation-only model. This change reflects their strategic decision to deepen relationships with fewer organizations rather than spreading resources across many applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only model.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's unique invitation-only approach, success is not about submitting applications but about relationship-building and alignment:

Key Alignment Factors:

1. Geographic Connection: Organizations should have connections to Bristol, London, or the East Midlands where trustees are based, or operate in areas of trustee interest such as Zimbabwe.

1. Christian Philosophy: Operating from a Christian philosophy of service is central to the foundation's mission and funding decisions.

1. Trustee Relationships: Organizations with which trustees have “first-hand experience” are prioritized. Building genuine relationships with trustees through shared networks, communities, or areas of work is essential.

1. Size and Scale: The foundation explicitly prefers “local, relatively small organisations” rather than large, established charities.

1. Organizational Capacity: Despite supporting small organizations, the foundation values “well governed and administered charities” and is “convinced that well governed and administered charities are likely to be more effective in delivering their missions.”

1. Core Funding Needs: Organizations seeking funding for overheads, administration, and organizational development are particularly well-aligned, as the foundation recognizes these areas are “more difficult for charities to fund.”

1. Sustainability Vision: Having a clear “roadmap to sustainability” demonstrates strategic thinking and long-term viability.

1. Social Impact: Addressing “significant social challenges” where the foundation's funding can make a “meaningful difference” is crucial.

Partnership Approach:

The foundation describes itself as creating “long-lasting partnerships” and working collaboratively. Organizations should be prepared for engaged, supportive relationships that extend beyond check-writing to include strategic input, networking, and capacity-building support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications ??? traditional grant writing is not relevant here; relationship-building is key
• Focus on networking and building connections with trustees in Bristol, London, the East Midlands, or through Christian service communities
• If you do establish contact, emphasize your organization's Christian foundation, commitment to serving marginalized communities, and need for core/capacity funding
• Be prepared for a long-term partnership model (typically 3 years) rather than one-off project grants
• Demonstrate strong governance and administration even as a small organization ??? they value organizational effectiveness
• Articulate a clear roadmap to sustainability and how their support would multiply your impact
• The foundation's exceptionally low overhead ratio (2.1%) reflects their commitment to maximizing grant impact ??? they appreciate efficiency
• If invited to discuss funding, be open to receiving strategic guidance, coaching, and networking support alongside financial grants

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales, “FIFTYFOUR TWO FOUNDATION (54:2 FOUNDATION) - 1180441,” Register of Charities, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5125584 (accessed 31 October 2025)
• 54:2 Foundation official website, https://www.fiftyfourtwo.org/ (accessed 31 October 2025)
• 54:2 Foundation, “Trustees,” https://www.fiftyfourtwo.org/trustees (accessed 31 October 2025)
• Charity Commission accounts and annual returns for charity 1180441, including financial years ending 30 September 2020 and 30 September 2024
• Find that Charity database, “Fiftyfour Two Foundation (54:2 Foundation),” https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1180441 (accessed 31 October 2025)