Future

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,169,074 (charitable activities expenditure, 2024)
• Total Income: £2,374,586 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly available
• Geographic Focus: UK, with emphasis on London and Hertfordshire
• Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

Registered Charity Number: 1114396

Primary Contact: Through Future Academies

• Website: www.futureacademies.org
• Address: Future Academies, 3rd Floor, 2-5 Benjamin Street, London, EC1M 5QL

Note: FUTURE does not have a public-facing website or published contact details for grant applications.

Overview

FUTURE is a UK charity founded in 2005-2006 by Lord Nash (John Nash, Baron Nash) and Lady Caroline Nash. The charity was appointed by the Labour Government in 2008 to sponsor Future Academies, a multi-academy trust now running 10 primary and secondary schools, a teacher training college, and the Centre for Latin Excellence across London and Hertfordshire, serving approximately 7,000 pupils. The charity's mission is “to help young people succeed” with the motto “libertas per cultum” (freedom through education). With total income of £2.37 million in 2024, primarily from donations and legacies, FUTURE operates through three key areas: venture philanthropy, academy sponsorship, and research. Beyond its school sponsorship work, FUTURE supports other small charities focused on less advantaged children and young people, though it operates without a public grant application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

FUTURE does not operate formal grant programs with published criteria or amounts. The charity's funding activities fall into three strategic areas:

1. Venture Philanthropy

• Supporting external organizations working with disadvantaged youth
• Focus on small charities serving less advantaged children and young people
• Grant amounts and specific criteria not publicly available

2. Academy Sponsorship

• Primary funding activity: sponsoring and operating Future Academies multi-academy trust
• Direct provision of educational opportunities to 7,000 students
• Schools located in inner-city areas of London and Hertfordshire

3. Research

• Supporting educational research initiatives
• Focus areas aligned with helping young people succeed

Priority Areas

Based on the charity's stated mission and activities:

• Education: Primary and secondary education through academy sponsorship
• Youth Development: Supporting disadvantaged children and young people
• Educational Excellence: Focus on providing high-quality education with the belief that “with the right support, encouragement and opportunities, there are no limits to what young people can achieve”
• Inner-city Education: Particular focus on serving communities in London and Hertfordshire
• Classical Education: The charity's academies emphasize Latin and classical education as part of their enrichment program

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly documented, but based on their mission:

• Organizations not focused on children and young people
• Projects outside the UK
• Likely excludes funding for large, established organizations (focus on “small charities”)
• Non-educational initiatives

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Governance and Leadership

Founders and Key Personnel

Lord Nash (John Nash, Baron Nash) - Co-founder and Trustee

• Former Conservative Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools (served over four years as Academies and Free Schools Minister)
• Venture capitalist with 30 years' experience; co-founded private equity firm Sovereign Capital in 1988
• Former chair of the British Venture Capital Association (1988-1989)
• Spearheaded the Academy Ambassador programme, recruiting over 1,500 volunteers with business backgrounds to improve governance and financial controls of academy schools
• Brings venture capitalism approach to educational philanthropy

Lady Caroline Nash - Co-founder and Trustee

• Former stockbroker
• Co-chair of governors of Pimlico Academy
• Active in the governance and strategic direction of Future Academies

Trustee Structure

• 5 trustees in total
• No trustees receive remuneration
• No trading subsidiaries
• Charity reporting is up to date and compliant with Charity Commission requirements

The governance structure reflects the founders' venture capital background, applying business expertise and philanthropic goals to educational development, particularly in serving disadvantaged communities in inner-city areas.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

FUTURE operates as a private charitable trust where funding decisions are made at the trustees' discretion. There is no published application form, guidelines, or open calls for proposals. The charity identifies and supports organizations through:

• Trustees' existing networks and relationships in the education and youth sectors
• Direct identification of organizations aligned with their mission
• Invitation-only funding relationships

Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications for funding. The charity's primary focus remains on operating and supporting Future Academies, with venture philanthropy activities for external organizations conducted privately.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process. Funding decisions are made by trustees on an ongoing basis according to their strategic priorities.

Success Rates

Not applicable and not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists for initial or repeat applications.

Application Success Factors

Since FUTURE does not accept applications, the traditional concept of “application success factors” does not apply. However, organizations that wish to align with FUTURE's mission should consider:

Alignment with Mission

Organizations most likely to come onto FUTURE's radar would demonstrate:

• Focus on disadvantaged youth: Clear mission serving “less advantaged children and young people”
• Educational focus: Work that helps young people succeed through education or educational enrichment
• Small charity profile: FUTURE specifically mentions supporting “small charities”
• UK-based operations: Particularly in areas where FUTURE already operates (London, Hertfordshire)

Funder's Approach

Based on the founders' background:

• Venture philanthropy model: Lord Nash applies his 30 years of venture capital experience to philanthropy, suggesting an approach that may include:
• Active engagement rather than passive grant-making
• Focus on measurable outcomes and impact
• Potential for longer-term strategic partnerships
• Business-minded approach to charitable work

Strategic Priorities

The charity's three-pillar approach suggests interest in:

• Innovation in educational delivery
• Evidence-based interventions (research component)
• Scalable or replicable models
• Organizations with strong governance and financial controls (reflecting Lord Nash's work on the Academy Ambassador programme)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public applications: FUTURE does not accept unsolicited grant applications - this is a private trust operating through trustee discretion
• Relationship-based funding: Funding relationships are likely built through existing networks in education, youth services, and venture philanthropy sectors
• Small charity focus: Explicitly supports “small charities” focused on disadvantaged children and young people
• Business-minded approach: Founders bring venture capital expertise, suggesting preference for organizations with strong governance, clear outcomes, and financial accountability
• Educational mission: Core focus on helping young people succeed through education, with particular interest in inner-city populations
• Three strategic pillars: Venture philanthropy, academy sponsorship, and research - external grants fall primarily under venture philanthropy
• Significant resources: With £2.37 million annual income and £1.17 million charitable expenditure (2024), the charity has substantial capacity, though the majority supports Future Academies operations
• Private operation: No public-facing website for the charity itself, no published grant guidelines, and no transparency around specific grants made to external organizations

For organizations seeking funding: While you cannot apply to FUTURE, understanding their mission helps identify whether your organization aligns with their interests. Building visibility in the education and youth sectors, particularly in London and Hertfordshire, and demonstrating strong outcomes for disadvantaged young people may increase the likelihood of coming onto their radar through sector connections.

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - FUTURE, Charity Number 1114396. Accessed via: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4020822

1. Wikipedia - “John Nash, Baron Nash.” Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nash,_Baron_Nash

1. Wikipedia - “Future Academies.” Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Academies

1. Powerbase - “John Nash (private equity).” Available at: https://powerbase.info/index.php/John_Nash_(private_equity) - Contains the quote: “Future also supports other organisations focussed on less advantaged children and young people.”

1. Future Academies website - “Home.” Available at: https://www.futureacademies.org/

1. GOV.UK - “Lord Nash.” Official government biography. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/people/lord-nash