Fine & Country Foundation

Charity Number: 1160989

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £95,400 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 1-2 months
  • Grant Range: Up to £3,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK and international
  • Application Cycles: Biannual (Spring and Autumn)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.fineandcountryfoundation.com

Email: foundation@fineandcountry.com

Grant Applications: grants@hq.fineandcountry.com

Phone: 0207 079 1415

Overview

Founded in 2014, the Fine & Country Foundation is a UK-registered charity (1160989) established by the Fine & Country estate agency network to combat homelessness. Over its 10-year history, the Foundation has raised and donated over £1 million to worthy causes, reaching the £1 million milestone in 2024 after raising £136,000 that year. The Foundation operates as a trust and works throughout England and Wales, supporting both UK and international charities. Its mission centers on preventing homelessness, supporting those experiencing homelessness, and funding constructive projects to help people move off the streets permanently. The Foundation has supported over 74 charities to date, distributing funds through biannual grant schemes held in spring and autumn.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Biannual Grant Programme: Up to £3,000 per grant

  • Applications open March 1-31 (Spring round) and October 1-31 (Autumn round)
  • Grants awarded through nomination by Fine & Country estate agency offices
  • Rolling consideration within fixed application windows
  • Can divide applications into multiple smaller grants for different projects

2024 Grant Distribution:

  • Spring 2024: £41,000 to 27 charities
  • Autumn 2024: £54,400 to 37 charities
  • Total: £95,400 to 64 charities globally

Priority Areas

  • Homelessness Prevention: Projects that prevent people from becoming homeless
  • Homeless Support: Care and support services for people experiencing homelessness
  • Housing Solutions: Constructive projects to help homeless people move off the streets permanently
  • Poverty Alleviation: Poverty prevention schemes and housing associations
  • UK and International: Both domestic and global projects eligible

Recent Funded Projects Include:

  • YMCA Milton Keynes: Repurposing a nursery into 10 additional rooms for young homeless people
  • HCT Cardiff: Manufacturing and supplying 75 Sleep Pods for vulnerable people
  • Emmaus Oxford: Refurbishing property to create 10 'move on' spaces for those experiencing homelessness
  • Edge Housing Oxford: Welcome Home Project refurbishing properties for those in need
  • Reaching The Unreached Winchester: Supporting orphaned and disadvantaged children in Tamil Nadu, India
  • Advantage Africa: Supporting people affected by poverty, disability and HIV

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not published, but eligibility is restricted to:

  • Registered charities only (charity number required)
  • Projects must directly relate to homelessness or poverty prevention
  • Applications require nomination by a Fine & Country office
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Sean Walter Newman (appointed June 20, 2014)
  • Jonathan Alaistair Cooke (appointed June 3, 2020)
  • Emilie Gabrielle Despois (appointed June 3, 2020)

Governance Structure

  • Organization Type: Trust
  • Governing Document: Trust Deed dated June 20, 2014
  • Registration Date: March 19, 2015
  • No trustees receive remuneration
  • Operates throughout England and Wales

Foundation Ambassadors

The Foundation has 11 dedicated Fine & Country agents serving as official Foundation Ambassadors who play a pivotal role in supporting the Foundation regionally and significantly boosting awareness of its commitment to aiding vulnerable individuals and communities affected by homelessness.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Secure Nomination

Contact your nearest Fine & Country estate agency office and request to be nominated for a grant. Applications without Fine & Country nomination will not be accepted.

Step 2: Complete Application Form

Once nominated, download and complete the application form. A Fine & Country representative must complete Section One of the form.

Step 3: Submit Application

Email completed application form to grants@hq.fineandcountry.com. Must include the nominating Fine & Country agent in the email to demonstrate nomination.

Application Windows:

  • Spring Round: March 1-31
  • Autumn Round: October 1-31
  • Applications submitted outside these periods will not be reviewed

Decision Timeline

  • Initial Review: Within 2 weeks of submission, applicants receive confirmation of receipt and any requests for additional information
  • Trustee Review: April (Spring round) or November (Autumn round)
  • Decision Notification: End of May (Spring) or end of November (Autumn)
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 2 months from application deadline to decision

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly available. However, recent data shows:

  • Spring 2024: 27 grants awarded
  • Autumn 2024: 37 grants awarded
  • Total 2024: 64 grants awarded

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation has a generous reapplication policy:

  • Charities can apply for consecutive grants
  • No mandatory waiting period beyond six months between applications
  • Can apply for multiple grants for different projects
  • Requirement: Previous grant funding must be fully spent on the specified project before submitting a new application
  • Multiple small grants eligible from the same organization, providing they are for different projects or items

Application Success Factors

Key Selection Criteria

The Foundation states that successful projects are “selected based on priority, reach, and impact, ensuring meaningful support for initiatives that make a tangible difference in tackling homelessness and poverty.”

Application Best Practices

Provide Comprehensive Detail: The Foundation emphasizes “complete transparency” and requests “as much detail as possible about the nature of your charity and the project(s) or overheads which you require funding for.”

Consider Multiple Project Applications: If applying for multiple projects within the same application, be aware the Foundation may divide them into separate small grants. You will be contacted for further details if this is being considered.

Demonstrate Direct Impact: Focus on how your project prevents homelessness, cares for those experiencing homelessness, or constructively helps people move off the streets permanently.

Align with Funded Project Examples: Review the Foundation's recent grant recipients on their website to understand the types and scale of projects they support - from physical infrastructure (rooms, pods, property refurbishment) to essential services and international development.

Build Local Relationships: Success depends on securing nomination from a Fine & Country office. Building relationships with local Fine & Country agents increases chances of nomination.

Geographic Spread: The Foundation supports both UK and international projects, so don't assume location is a barrier if your work aligns with their mission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Nomination is mandatory: You cannot apply without a Fine & Country office nominating your charity - invest time in building this relationship first
  • Small grants, big impact: With grants up to £3,000, focus on specific, tangible deliverables rather than large-scale programs
  • Two shots per year: Plan ahead for March and October application windows - missing these means waiting months
  • Repeat applications welcomed: Unlike many funders, they actively encourage reapplication for different projects once previous funding is spent
  • Transparency is valued: Provide detailed information about your charity and specific projects - they explicitly request comprehensive detail
  • Quick turnaround: 2-month decision timeline is faster than many funders - good for time-sensitive projects
  • Focus on outcomes: Emphasize priority, reach, and tangible impact in tackling homelessness and poverty
  • International opportunities: Don't overlook this funder if you work internationally - they fund global projects addressing homelessness and poverty

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