Franks Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £241,277 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (no public application process)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, and UK

Contact Details

• Website: www.thefff.org
• Email: info@thefff.org
• Phone: 0207 291 6207
• Address: 34 Percy Street, London W1T 2DG

Overview

The Franks Family Foundation (FFF) is a UK-based charitable organisation established in 2006 by entrepreneur Simon Franks, co-founder of LoveFilm (sold to Amazon for £200 million). With annual expenditure of £241,277 (2024), the foundation operates with a dual mission to make the world “more healthy, educated, and meritocratic.” While their primary programmatic focus is on Southeast Asia through direct implementation of education and health programmes, they also provide grants to UK charities and international partners. The foundation takes a strategic approach, providing not just funding but also business management support, collaborative networks, and advocacy for systemic change.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates through trustee discretion without specific grant streams or publicly advertised amounts. Grants are made to both organisations and individuals aligned with their mission.

Priority Areas

• Education advancement (particularly innovative education models)
• Health programmes and medical support
• Relief of poverty, sickness and distress
• Community development and citizenship
• Arts and culture
• Youth empowerment and leadership development

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding that do not support their mission and strategy, as mentioned on their contact page.

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Governance and Leadership

Founder: Simon Franks - Entrepreneur, philanthropist and social activist who shifted from business to full-time philanthropy in 2010. Member of the Cambodian Government Board overseeing NGS Schools, International Chairman of The Lake Clinic, advisor to Tilganga Hospital in Kathmandu, and Chairman of The Ruit Foundation.

Trustees:

• Lord Jonathan Neil Mendelsohn
• Mr Simon Elliot Franks
• Mr Guy Avshalom
• Mr Dean Vincent Dorrell
• Mrs Carolyn Holder

No trustees receive remuneration from the charity.

How to Apply to Franks Family Foundation

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the trustees' absolute discretion to organisations they identify or have existing relationships with. The foundation explicitly states they do not want to receive “unsolicited requests for funding that do not support our mission and strategy.”

Getting on Their Radar

Based on their documented approach:

• The foundation identifies partners through Simon Franks' extensive networks in business, education, and healthcare sectors
• They seek organisations already aligned with their focus on education innovation and systemic change
• UK charities they support appear to be well-established organisations with proven track records
• Organisations working in Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Nepal) may align with their geographic priorities
• For general inquiries, organisations can use the submission form on their contact page or email, but should ensure strong mission alignment before reaching out

Application Success Factors

• Mission Alignment: Focus must align with making the world “more healthy, educated, and meritocratic”
• Systemic Impact: Projects that create systemic change rather than one-off interventions
• Innovation in Education: Particular interest in transformative education models like their New Generation Schools programme
• Geographic Relevance: Organisations working in Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Nepal) or serving UK communities
• Partnership Approach: Willingness to accept strategic advice and business management support alongside funding
• Proven Track Record: Evidence suggests they support established organisations with demonstrated impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - relationships and trustee discretion drive grant decisions
• Dual focus: Southeast Asia programmes and UK charitable sector support
• Beyond funding, they offer strategic advice and business management support
• Strong emphasis on education innovation and systemic change
• All funding comes from founder Simon Franks - personal connection to mission important
• Small foundation with focused giving - annual expenditure £241,277
• Contact only with strong mission alignment and avoid generic funding requests

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Byrne Family Foundation
• Be Global Foundation
• The Breadsticks Foundation
• The Neon Foundation
• The Badur Foundation
• The Monsoon Accessorize Trust
• T. & J. Meyer Family Foundation Limited
• The Alice Ellen Cooper-dean Charitable Foundation
• Ea Foundation
• The Gsr Foundation

References

• Franks Family Foundation official website (www.thefff.org) -
• Charity Commission Register (Charity Number 1114574) -
• “About Us” page, Franks Family Foundation website -
• “UK” page, Franks Family Foundation website -
• “Meet The Team” page, Franks Family Foundation website -
• Charity Commission financial records for year ending 31 December 2024