Flat Iron Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £538,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable - no public application process
• Decision Time: Not applicable - invitation/trustee discretion only
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
• Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Website: https://www.flatironfund.org

Phone: 020 7783 3568

Charity Number: 1178402

Note: This charity does not accept unsolicited applications. Contact details are for general enquiries only.

Overview

The Flat Iron Fund was established as a registered charity in May 2018, following four years of successful charitable giving through Flat Iron restaurants. Founded by Sophie Carroll, wife of Flat Iron founder Charlie Carroll, the Fund was formally registered after raising £1 million for Macmillan Cancer Support between 2014-2018. With an annual giving of approximately £538,000 (2024), the Fund operates through a unique donation model where restaurant guests can add 10p to their bill, which is then matched by Flat Iron. All administrative costs are covered personally by Charlie and Sophie Carroll, ensuring 100% of donations reach beneficiary charities. The Fund's trustees carefully select a small number of registered charities each year, focusing primarily on health-related causes that support the NHS, with 25% allocated to environmental initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Flat Iron Fund does not operate traditional grant programs with set amounts. Instead, trustees select a small number of beneficiary charities annually and distribute funds accumulated through restaurant donations throughout the year.

Application Method: No public application process - charities are selected by trustees

Priority Areas

Primary Focus Areas:

• Health-related charities (approximately 75% of funding) - particularly those that complement and support the NHS
• Environmental causes (25% of funding) - protecting the natural world
• Urgent humanitarian appeals - responding to crises as they arise (e.g., Ukraine DEC appeal in 2022)

Recently Supported Charities Include:

• Cool Earth (environmental conservation)
• Cancer Research UK (health research)
• Child Bereavement UK (support services)
• Disasters Emergency Committee (humanitarian relief)
• Spread a Smile (children's wellbeing)
• Mind (mental health)
• Macmillan Cancer Support (historical major beneficiary - £1m raised 2014-2018)

What They Don't Fund

As the Fund does not accept applications, there is no published exclusions list. The Fund focuses on registered UK charities aligned with their health and environmental priorities.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (as of September 2025):

• Thomas Byng - Chair
• Simon Atwell Boston - Trustee (also associated with Haven House Foundation)
• Magnus Goodlad - Trustee
• Louise Austin - Trustee

All trustees were appointed on 3 September 2025. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Founders:

• Sophie Carroll - Established charitable giving in 2014 and founded the Fund in 2018. Sophie meets and liaises with beneficiaries to ensure appropriate support.
• Charlie Carroll - Founder of Flat Iron restaurants. Charlie and Sophie personally cover all administrative costs of the Fund.

Sophie Carroll has stated that the Fund's approach is built on the principle that “small change can make a huge difference” and that the goal is “to give our guests and team the chance to make a difference with a small gesture.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Flat Iron Fund does not have a public application process.

Beneficiary charities are selected annually by the charity's trustees at their discretion. The Fund operates on an invitation-only basis, with trustees proactively identifying charities that align with their strategic priorities in health and environmental protection.

The donation model means that funds are accumulated throughout the year from restaurant guest donations (matched by Flat Iron), and these are then distributed to the selected beneficiary charities. As Charlie and Sophie Carroll cover all administrative costs personally, 100% of donated funds reach the beneficiary organizations.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - trustees select beneficiaries rather than responding to applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

As this charity does not accept applications, the following factors appear to influence trustee selection based on their documented approach:

1. Alignment with NHS Support - The Fund explicitly states that their “main area of focus is health related charities that complement and support the vital work of the NHS.” Health charities working in this space appear to be prioritized.

1. Environmental Impact - The Fund commits 25% of annual donations to environmental causes “to help protect the world we live in,” particularly organizations working on climate and conservation.

1. Established Charity Status - All beneficiaries mentioned are registered UK charities with established track records. The Fund supported Macmillan Cancer Support for four years before formalizing as a charity.

1. Responsiveness to Urgent Needs - The Fund has demonstrated willingness to support emergency appeals, such as the Ukraine DEC appeal in 2022, suggesting flexibility for humanitarian crises.

1. Trustee Knowledge and Networks - With trustees including individuals with experience in charitable foundations (such as Simon Atwell Boston's association with Haven House Foundation), selection likely draws on trustee expertise and sector connections.

1. Efficiency and Direct Impact - The Fund emphasizes that “not a penny goes to waste” and prioritizes charities where donations make direct, measurable differences.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process Available - This charity selects beneficiaries through trustee discretion; unsolicited applications are not accepted
• Strategic Focus on Health and Environment - 75% of funding goes to health charities supporting NHS work; 25% to environmental causes
• Long-Term Relationships Preferred - Historical support for Macmillan (4 years, £1m) suggests the Fund values sustained partnerships over one-off grants
• Small Core Group of Beneficiaries - Trustees deliberately select “a small number” of charities annually rather than spreading funds widely
• 100% Donation Model - All administrative costs covered privately, meaning beneficiaries receive full allocation without deductions
• Crisis Responsive - Despite structured priorities, the Fund can respond to urgent humanitarian appeals
• Relationship-Based Selection - With founders personally engaged (Sophie meets beneficiaries) and new trustees appointed 2025, being known in relevant charitable sectors may be important

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE ROBERT GAVRON CHARITABLE TRUST
• The E C Sosnow Charitable Trust
• The Patrick Rowland Foundation
• The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
• KHOO TECK PUAT UK FOUNDATION
• Susanna Peake Charitable Trust
• THE KENNETH & SUSAN GREEN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The Aurelia Foundation
• THE RALPH LEVY CHARITABLE COMPANY LIMITED
• The Newcore Foundation

References

1. Flat Iron Fund Official Website - About Page. https://www.flatironfund.org/about
2. Flat Iron Fund Official Website - Charities Page. https://www.flatironfund.org/charities
3. Charity Commission Register - Flat Iron Fund (Charity Number 1178402). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1178402
4. Charity Commission - Flat Iron Fund Trustees. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5114992/trustees
5. Charity Commission - Flat Iron Fund Financial Information (Year ending 31 August 2024). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5114992/charity-overview