Fonthill Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??539,120 (expenditure 2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (notes “high level of interest” for Community Grants)
• Decision Time: Varies by program (two rounds annually for Community Grants)
• Grant Range: Up to ??5,000 (Community Grants); larger grants by invitation only
• Geographic Focus: East and West Sussex (UK programs); Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Romania, Sri Lanka, Tanzania (International)

Contact Details

Website: www.fonthill-foundation.org.uk

Email: enquiry@fonthill-foundation.org.uk

Phone: 07479921400

Address: PO Box 261, Lewes, BN7 9LS

Application Portal: fonthillfoundation.grantplatform.com

Overview

The Fonthill Foundation is the charitable legacy of Fonthill Lodge School, which dates back to the early 1800s. Originally established as "Radcliffe's“ by Rev. Dr. George Radcliffe, the school operated for over two centuries before the prep school closed in 2011. The Foundation now continues this educational legacy through grant-making focused on education and community development. With total expenditure of ??539,120 in the 2022-23 financial year, the Foundation works across East and West Sussex and internationally in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Romania, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. The organization positions education as ”the cornerstone of positive change“ and emphasizes creating learning opportunities and personal growth to build ”a brighter, more inclusive future." The Foundation values its small size as advantageous for enabling close collaboration and quick decision-making.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants

• Amount: Up to ??5,000
• Application Method: Online portal with two funding rounds annually (autumn and spring)
• Duration: Projects must be completed within 12 months
• Geographic Scope: East or West Sussex only
• Eligibility: UK registered charity, CIO, CIC, constituted voluntary/community group, or school based in East or West Sussex
• Status: Currently closed; check website for opening dates

Larger UK Grants

• Application Method: Invitation only
• Target: Local organizations with clear educational objectives focused on supporting young people
• Geographic Scope: East and West Sussex

Overseas Grant Programme

• Application Method: Invitation only
• Requirements: Must have UK registered charitable arm and demonstrate established community relationships
• Focus: Sustainable educational benefits in select overseas regions

Current Priority Areas (2024-25)

1. School Counseling & Therapy Support Grants: Addressing post-COVID and cost of living crisis challenges related to mental health and well-being in young children, supporting their ability to engage with learning

1. School Residential Activities Grants: Mitigating the impact of the UK cost of living and school funding crisis by funding outdoor residential trips that ensure inclusive participation regardless of family finances

1. Nature-Based & Environmental Education: Supporting outdoor education and environmental learning initiatives

1. Vocational Skills Development: Career development and employment readiness programs, particularly for disadvantaged youth

1. Early Years Education: High-quality early childhood education provision, particularly for children facing multiple disadvantages

1. Inclusive Access to Education: Removing financial barriers to educational opportunities

What They Fund

• Projects promoting education or access to educational opportunities
• Initiatives with clear education-focused outcomes (even if not in formal educational settings)
• Mental health and wellbeing support that enables learning engagement
• Reading programs and literacy initiatives
• Life skills and personal development programs for young people
• Outdoor and environmental education
• Vocational training and employment skills
• Community-based education projects

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations with other active Fonthill Foundation grants running concurrently
• Organizations operational for less than 12 months
• Projects outside East or West Sussex (for UK Community Grants)
• Overseas projects without invitation
• Projects extending beyond 12 months

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Governance and Leadership

Staff

• Ceetah Grieves, CEO
• Laura Ward, Projects Manager

Board of Trustees

• Victoria Henley
• Maggie Lloyd
• Niki Cannon
• Adrian Carver
• Andrew Spiers

Note: No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Leadership Perspective

CEO Ceetah Grieves has emphasized the Foundation's commitment to continuing the legacy of Fonthill school through educational initiatives. Speaking about the Foundation's partnership with Jamie's Farm, Grieves stated: “The legacy of Fonthill school will live on” through support of therapeutic farm initiatives aligned with the organization's environmental values.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Community Grants:

1. Check website for application round opening dates (typically autumn and spring rounds)
2. Submit application via online portal at fonthillfoundation.grantplatform.com
3. Ensure compliance with all eligibility criteria before applying
4. Provide required documentation: recent financial accounts and safeguarding policy

Larger UK Grants and Overseas Grants:

• By invitation only
• Contact the Foundation at enquiry@fonthill-foundation.org.uk if you believe your organization fits their strategic priorities

Organizational Requirements

• Organization must be active for at least 12 months
• Must provide recent financial accounts
• Must have a current safeguarding policy
• Cannot have any other active Fonthill Foundation grants running
• Must be UK registered charity, CIO, CIC, constituted voluntary/community group, or school (for Community Grants)

Decision Timeline

• Two funding rounds annually for Community Grants (autumn and spring)
• Specific decision timelines not publicly disclosed
• Foundation notes they receive “a high level of interest” annually, indicating competitive selection

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation awarded fifteen Community Grants in their most recent round and approved funding for twenty residential outdoor activity trips for primary schools in 2024-25.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations with active Fonthill Foundation grants cannot apply for additional funding until their current grant is complete. No other specific reapplication restrictions are mentioned.

Application Success Factors

Partnership Approach

The Fonthill Foundation emphasizes taking a “partnership approach to grant giving, working with established partners who are right at the heart of the communities they support.” This suggests they value:

• Deep community connections and local knowledge
• Demonstrated track record of community engagement
• Authentic relationships with beneficiaries

For International Partnerships

The Foundation seeks partners who “demonstrate an established relationship with the communities in which they operate and a genuine commitment to empowering community growth and development through education.” This indicates they prioritize:

• Long-term community presence and relationships
• Community empowerment rather than dependency
• Sustainable educational impact
• Accountability and transparency

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

Community Grants Recipients:

• Varndean College
• Brighton Women's Centre - ToyBox (low-cost nursery providing 'Outstanding' early years education for disadvantaged children)
• Impact Initiatives
• Prison Family Support CIC
• Brighton Marina Studios Foundation
• Carlton Hill Primary School - repurposing unused classroom into reading space
• The Goodwood Education Trust
• Benfield Primary School - match funding for reading space creation
• Coombe Primary School - 10 Year Anniversary Fund grant for nature and environment-based education at Stanmer Wellbeing Gardens
• Children's BookFest - distributed nearly 4,000 books to primary school children in Chichester area

Residential Activities:

Twenty grants approved for fully inclusive residential outdoor activity trips for primary schools across East and West Sussex

Application Strengths

Based on funded projects, successful applications likely demonstrate:

• Clear educational outcomes and measurable impact
• Focus on addressing current challenges (post-COVID mental health, cost of living crisis impacts)
• Inclusive approach ensuring access for all, regardless of financial circumstances
• Nature-based or outdoor learning components where relevant
• Support for children facing multiple disadvantages or barriers to education
• Well-being and mental health support that enables learning engagement
• Literacy and reading initiatives
• Community partnership and collaboration

Language and Terminology

The Foundation uses terms like:

• “Educational opportunities” and “access to educational opportunities”
• “Community empowerment through education”
• “Inclusive participation”
• “Personal growth” and “life skills”
• “Brighter, more inclusive future”
• “Positive change”
• “Inspiring young minds”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Geographic Specificity Matters: For Community Grants, your project must be delivered in East or West Sussex and your organization must be based there. Do not apply if you're outside this area.

1. Clear Educational Focus Required: Even if your project isn't in a formal educational setting, you must demonstrate clear education-focused outcomes. The Foundation defines education broadly to include life skills, wellbeing, and personal development.

1. Current Priorities Align with Crisis Response: Applications addressing post-COVID mental health challenges, cost of living crisis impacts, or reduced access to enrichment opportunities are particularly timely given the Foundation's 2024-25 focus areas.

1. Partnership and Community Connection: Emphasize your established relationships with the communities you serve and how you're “at the heart” of the community. This is not a funder for parachute projects.

1. Administrative Readiness: Ensure you have recent financial accounts and a current safeguarding policy ready before applying. Organizations less than 12 months old are not eligible.

1. Timing and Capacity: Only apply if you can complete the project within 12 months and if you don't have any other active Fonthill Foundation grants. Plan your application timing around the autumn and spring funding rounds.

1. Small But Focused: The Foundation's small size means quick decision-making but also limited funding capacity. The “high level of interest” they receive suggests applications must be compelling and well-aligned with priorities to succeed.

References

1. Fonthill Foundation Official Website - Our Grants. https://fonthill-foundation.org.uk/our-grants/

1. Fonthill Foundation Official Website - About Us. https://fonthill-foundation.org.uk/about/

1. Fonthill Foundation Official Website - News. https://fonthill-foundation.org.uk/news/

1. Fonthill Foundation Official Website - Projects. https://fonthill-foundation.org.uk/projects/

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Fonthill Foundation (Charity No. 325071). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=325071

1. Fonthill Foundation Grant Application Portal. https://fonthillfoundation.grantplatform.com/