Focus Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £244,870 (2023), targeting £400,000+ (2024 onwards)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 1 month for Expression of Interest response; 8 weeks for full application decision
• Grant Range: £2,000 - £8,000 (most grants); Small grants under £1,000 available for certified partners
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide, with preference for community projects near Focus Group offices

Contact Details

Website: www.focusfoundation.org.uk

Email: info@focusfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 07395 790973

Grant-specific enquiries: grants@focusfoundation.org.uk

Registered address: Focus House, 20 Ham Road, Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 6PA

Overview

Focus Foundation was established in 2021 by Chris and Elaine Goodman, following their research during lockdown into the UK's funding gap affecting grassroots charities. As the philanthropic arm of Focus Group (a business technology solutions company), the Foundation benefits from having all operational costs covered by its parent company, ensuring 100% of donations reach beneficiaries. Since inception through 2024, the Foundation has awarded over £500,000 in grants across the UK. In their 2023 financial year, they distributed £244,870 to 48 charities, with an average grant of £5,101. The Foundation is scaling rapidly, aiming to award at least £400,000 annually and reaching a 2030 goal of £1 million in annual grants. Their strategic approach prioritizes small, grassroots organizations where modest funding can create significant impact, focusing on three core pillars: underprivileged children and young people, mental health initiatives, and local community projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £2,000 - £8,000

• Application via online portal through Expression of Interest process
• Grant Committee meets four times per year (March, June, September, December)
• Application deadlines: January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31
• For fully funded projects with tangible, measurable benefits
• Applicants must have at least one full year of trading accounts

Small Grants Programme: Under £1,000

• Invitation-only for certified charity partners
• Approximately 4-week turnaround
• Rolling basis

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds projects across three core pillars:

1. Socially/Economically Disadvantaged Children and Young People

• Projects supporting vulnerable children and families
• Educational and developmental initiatives
• Recent example: Save The Family received £4,000+ for a rainbow stage and picnic bench for disadvantaged children
• Recent example: Smiling Families Charity received £6,600 for a mobile toy library trailer

2. Mental Health

• Counselling and psychological support services
• Resources for mental health recovery
• Recent example: Rubens Retreat received £4,000 for 100 hours of bereavement counselling
• Recent example: Fight Against Blindness received £7,900 for clinical psychologist support for children with sight loss
• Recent example: Devon Rape Crisis received £7,100 for a licensed recovery app

3. Community Projects

• Must be located near Focus Group regional offices: Truro, Exeter, Portsmouth, Shoreham, Basingstoke, Bristol, Merthyr Tydfil, Witney, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Birmingham, Manchester, Derby, Carlisle, Melrose, Glasgow, and Inverness
• Projects that strengthen local communities
• Infrastructure improvements for community benefit
• Recent example: Burgess Hill Pantry received £1,500 for a glass-fronted freezer

Eligibility Requirements:

• UK-based registered charities and social enterprises
• Annual income under £1 million
• Core running costs under 35%
• Projects must be fully funded (Foundation does not part-fund projects)

What They Don't Fund

• Core costs or operational expenses
• Partial project funding
• Organizations with annual income over £1 million
• Organizations with core running costs over 35%
• Projects outside their three core pillars

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Chris Goodman (Co-founder): CEO of Focus Group, established the Foundation with his wife Elaine following lockdown research into UK funding gaps
• Elaine Goodman (Co-founder): Stated, “Creating the Focus Foundation was the next natural step after lockdown, having seen a gap in funding and the huge increase in demand from charities requesting help. To be able to give back and help those where even the smallest grant can have the biggest impact, giving people opportunity and hope is an absolute honour.”
• David Hill (Trustee)
• Emma Stroude (Trustee)
• Lloyd Magee (Trustee)

All trustees serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration.

Operations Team

• Katie Gibson (CEO): Leads the Foundation's strategic direction
• Mandi Stanley (Grants & Charity Manager): Primary contact for grant applications
• Heidi Crawford (Grants and Charity Relationship Coordinator)
• Charlotte Pook (Operations Manager & EA to Board of Trustees)
• Amy Norris (Finance Coordinator)

Patrons and Ambassadors

• Patrons: Andrew Bernardi, Anita Dobson (actress)
• Ambassadors: Heidi Skerritt, Nicola Ramsdale
• Children's Ambassadors: Ben Macleod, Vincent Baker, Marcie Wilson, Mabel Wilson

The Foundation operates with a lean structure, leveraging volunteers and having Focus Group cover all operational costs.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

1. Register on the online portal at focusfoundation.org.uk
2. Complete Expression of Interest form (approximately 20 minutes)
3. Receive response within 1 month
4. Download and review application guides available on website

Stage 2: Full Application (if invited)

1. Complete full grant application (2-3 hours)
2. Submit before the relevant deadline
3. Application reviewed by Grant Committee at quarterly meeting
4. Receive response within 8 weeks of submission

Application Deadlines:

• January 31 for March meeting
• April 30 for June meeting
• July 31 for September meeting
• October 31 for December meeting

Grant Committee Meeting Dates:

• March (mid-month)
• June (mid-month)
• September (mid-month)
• December (mid-month)

Note: The Foundation occasionally pauses applications when receiving high volumes. Check website for current status.

Decision Timeline

• Expression of Interest response: Within 1 month
• Full application decision: Within 8 weeks of submission
• Funds received: Within 4 weeks of Grant Committee approval
• Total timeline from EOI to funds: Approximately 3-4 months

The Foundation provides feedback on every application, regardless of outcome, demonstrating their commitment to supporting applicants' development.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, in 2023:

• 48 successful grants awarded totaling £244,870
• The Foundation reported “a significant increase in number of grant applications received”
• Average grant size: £5,101

In Autumn 2024 alone, the Foundation awarded over £100,000 to 21 charities, with 15 being new beneficiaries, indicating they actively seek to support new organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Successful applicants: May reapply once the current project ends, usually after one year

Unsuccessful applicants:

• Must wait 6 months before reapplying
• Required to book a call with the grants team before resubmitting
• Foundation offers guidance to improve future applications

Certified charity partners: May be eligible for small grants (under £1,000) between major grant applications

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented preferences and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear, Measurable Outcomes

• The Foundation explicitly requires projects to be “tangible with clear and measurable benefits”
• Funded projects show specific outputs: “100 hours of bereavement counselling,” “support for 35 children,” “seven days a week service”
• Quantify who will benefit and how

2. Fully Costed Projects

• Applications must be for fully funded projects
• The Foundation does not part-fund initiatives
• Budget should match the Foundation's typical grant range (£2,000-£8,000)

3. Grassroots Focus

• Preference for organizations with annual income under £1 million
• Projects demonstrating how “even small grants can have the biggest impact”
• Elaine Goodman emphasized supporting causes “where even the smallest grant can have the biggest impact, giving people opportunity and hope”

4. Operational Efficiency

• Core running costs must be under 35%
• Demonstrates good financial stewardship
• Shows most funding goes directly to beneficiaries

5. Alignment with Core Pillars

• Projects must clearly fit one of three areas: disadvantaged children/young people, mental health, or community projects near Focus Group offices
• Applications that straddle multiple pillars should identify one primary focus
• Community projects must demonstrate proximity to one of the 17 Focus Group office locations

6. Geographic Relevance

• For community projects specifically, location near Focus Group offices is essential (Truro, Exeter, Portsmouth, Shoreham, Basingstoke, Bristol, Merthyr Tydfil, Witney, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Birmingham, Manchester, Derby, Carlisle, Melrose, Glasgow, Inverness)

7. Relationship Building

• The Foundation emphasizes being “approachable” with a “personal touch throughout every stage”
• They offer calls with unsuccessful applicants to provide guidance
• Building an ongoing relationship can lead to certification as a charity partner, opening access to small grants

Recent Funded Projects as Examples:

The Foundation's 2024 grants demonstrate their priorities:

• Equipment and infrastructure: Wheelchair and woodworking table for Headway Norfolk (£1,200); Freezer for Burgess Hill Pantry (£1,500)
• Specialist support services: Clinical psychologist for sight loss (£7,900); Licensed app for Devon Rape Crisis (£7,100)
• Program expansion: Seven-day support for Alder Trust (£7,700); Healing Together program for domestic abuse survivors (£9,200)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• 100% impact model: Focus Group covers all operational costs, so emphasize how grants will directly benefit communities—this aligns with the Foundation's unique selling point
• Two-stage process requires patience: Allow 3-4 months from Expression of Interest to receiving funds; plan application timing around quarterly deadlines
• Measurable outcomes are essential: Quantify beneficiaries, hours of service, or specific outputs—every recent grant example includes specific numbers
• Lean operations demonstrate efficiency: Keep core costs under 35% to meet eligibility criteria; this reflects the Foundation's own lean operational model
• Geographic strategy matters: For community projects, clearly demonstrate proximity to Focus Group offices; children/mental health projects have UK-wide eligibility
• Relationship building pays off: Unsuccessful applicants should take advantage of the mandatory consultation call—this can lead to certification as a partner and access to small grants
• Fully funded projects only: Budget requests between £2,000-£8,000 for complete, self-contained initiatives rather than partial contributions to larger programs

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• British Heart Foundation
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• THE GRAND CHARITY
• SHAARE ZEDEK UK
• THE JEWISH DEAF ASSOCIATION
• LEKET UK
• THE MINYAN
• Financial Conduct Authority

References

• Focus Foundation official website: https://focusfoundation.org.uk
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5174474
• Focus Foundation Grant Application Information: https://focusfoundation.org.uk/apply/apply-for-a-grant/
• Focus Foundation About Us: https://focusfoundation.org.uk/about-us/
• Focus Foundation Grant FAQs: https://focusfoundation.org.uk/apply/grant-faqs/
• Focus Foundation Team: https://focusfoundation.org.uk/about-us/our-team/
• Focus Foundation Autumn 2024 Update: https://focusfoundation.org.uk/our-impact/news/autumn-2024-update/
• Focus Foundation Annual Report 2023, Charity Commission filing
• Resource Centre - Focus Foundation profile: https://www.resourcecentre.org.uk/information/focus-foundation/
• Sussex Express: "Focus Group's 4th Annual Golf Day in aid of Focus Foundation raises £42,000 for grassroots charities"