Fine & Country Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Information varies by year - see funder website for current figures
• 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. The Foundation reached the £1 million milestone in total funds raised since inception in 2024. The Foundation operates as a trust and works throughout England and Wales, supporting both UK and international charities. Its mission centres on preventing homelessness, supporting those experiencing homelessness, and funding constructive projects to help people move off the streets permanently. The Foundation distributes funds through biannual grant schemes held in spring and autumn.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

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

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 additional rooms for young homeless people
• HCT Cardiff: Manufacturing and supplying Sleep Pods for vulnerable people
• Emmaus Oxford: Refurbishing property to create '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)
• Emilie Gabrielle Despois (appointed June 3, 2020)

Governance Structure

• Organisation 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.

How to Apply to Fine & Country Foundation

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.

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 organisation, 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 emphasises “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 programmes
• 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: Emphasise 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

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Silver Lady Fund Incorporating The All Night Travelling Cafe
• The Hilden Charitable Fund
• St. Martin-in-the-fields Charity
• The Forrester Family Trust
• Drapers Charitable Fund
• The Britford Bridge Trust
• The Beatrice Laing Trust
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• The Weavers' Company Benevolent Fund
• Fishmongers' Company's Charitable Trust

References

• Fine & Country Foundation official website: https://www.fineandcountryfoundation.com/
• Fine & Country Foundation Grant Application Process: https://www.fineandcountryfoundation.com/post-grant-application-process-1510576655
• Charity Commission Register: Fine & Country Foundation (1160989): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5054730/full-print
• "Fine & Country Foundation raises £136,000 in 2024, reaching £1 million milestone": https://www.fineandcountryfoundation.com/post-fine-country-foundation-raises-136000-in-2024-reaching-1-million-milestone-1736433285
• “Over £41,000 awarded to 27 projects in the Spring Grant Programme”: https://www.fineandcountryfoundation.com/post-over-41000-awarded-to-27-projects-in-the-spring-grant-programme-1714054061
• "The Fine & Country Foundation supports 37 charities in its Autumn Grant Scheme": https://www.fineandcountryfoundation.com/post-the-fine-country-foundation-supports-37-charities-in-its-autumn-grant-scheme-1733826142
• "The Fine & Country Foundation Opens Spring Grants on 1st March to Support Charities Fighting Homelessness and Poverty": https://www.fineandcountryfoundation.com/post-the-fine-country-foundation-opens-spring-grants-on-1st-march-1740677038
• FundsforNGOs: “Entries open for Fine and Country Foundation Grant Program”: https://www2.fundsforngos.org/community-development/entries-open-for-fine-and-country-foundation-grant-program/