Gerard Basset Foundation

Charity Number: 1193020

Annual Expenditure: £0.9M

Stay updated on changes from Gerard Basset Foundation and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £878,000+ (2024 fundraising)
  • Success Rate: Approximately 61% for institutional grants (14 funded from 23 applications in 2022)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; scholarships typically 2-4 weeks after interview
  • Grant Range: Varies by program; scholarships range from £12,500 to £55,000 per individual
  • Geographic Focus: International (supports programs across 6 continents, 30+ countries)

Contact Details

Website: www.gerardbassetfoundation.org

Email: nina@ninabasset.com

Phone: 020 3100 9944

Charity Number: 1193020

Application Portal: Applications accepted through online Typeform portal accessible via website

Overview

The Gérard Basset Foundation was established on 7 January 2021 as a UK registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in memory of Master Sommelier Gérard Basset, who died in 2019. The Foundation is mandated to fund educational and professional programmes focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in wine, spirits and hospitality globally. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over £3 million through its partnership with the Golden Vines Awards charity auctions and has supported nearly 1,600 beneficiaries across 30+ countries through 30 grantee programs and 66+ individual scholarships. Initially focused solely on wine education, the Foundation broadened its scope in 2022 to include spirits and hospitality sectors. The Foundation awards approximately 18 grants annually to organizations ranging from grassroots non-profits to major research institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Grantee Programme (Institutional/Organizational Grants)

  • Supports educational and professional programmes delivered by organizations
  • Funding levels vary by project scope and impact
  • 30 organizations funded across 16 countries to date
  • Supports broader range of communities and individuals at earlier career stages
  • Applications reviewed collectively by trustees for breadth and meaningfulness of impact

Scholarship Programmes (Individual Awards)

  • Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships: £55,000 each (advanced certifications)
  • Golden Vines Master of Wine & Master Sommelier Scholarships: £12,500 each
  • Various program-specific scholarships (e.g., Laurent-Perrier Champagne Scholarships)
  • Primarily supports higher level qualifications (MW, MS, advanced WSET/ISG)
  • Competitive application process with shortlisting and Zoom interviews

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds programs that:

  • Promote diversity, equity and inclusion in wine, spirits and hospitality industries
  • Support underrepresented and disadvantaged communities, including:
  • BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) professionals and students
  • Women in wine and hospitality
  • LGBTQ+ professionals
  • People with disabilities
  • Single mothers
  • Military veterans
  • Indigenous populations
  • People from historically marginalized communities
  • Low-income individuals unable to afford professional training
  • Provide education and professional qualifications, including WSET, ISG, MW, MS certifications
  • Offer mentorship and career development opportunities
  • Create accessible pathways into wine, spirits and hospitality careers
  • Support vocational training in viticulture, winemaking, sommeliers, and hospitality management

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation's clear mandate suggests they do not fund:

  • Programs without a diversity/inclusion/accessibility focus
  • General business operations unrelated to education
  • Projects outside wine, spirits and hospitality sectors
  • Programs that don't demonstrate meaningful impact on underrepresented communities
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Gerard Basset Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (4 members)

Nina Basset FIH - Co-Founding Trustee & Chair of the Board

Nina is a seasoned hotelier who co-founded Hotel du Vin, Hotel TerraVina, and Spot in the Woods with her late husband Gérard. She was the youngest ever AA Hotel and Restaurant Inspector at 21 and won a Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in Business before age 40. In 2025, she received the Special Award at the Cateys for her mentorship work throughout her career. Nina has stated: “Gerard was a passionate advocate for helping young people and those he mentored have gone on to enjoy rich and successful careers.”

Romané Basset - Co-Founding Trustee

Gérard's son, actively involved in day-to-day operations. Romané has emphasized: “We are proud to announce funding to support 6 new grants as part of our mandate to fund educational and professional programmes focused on providing accessibility to people from disadvantaged backgrounds, regardless of what shape or form that might represent for them. We believe very strongly that everyone deserves a fair chance.”

Jancis Robinson OBE MW - Trustee

Renowned wine critic, journalist, and long-time friend of Gérard Basset.

Ian Harris MBE DipWSET - Trustee

CEO of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), bringing extensive expertise in wine education.

Honorary President & Head of Fundraising

Lewis Chester DipWSET - Former trustee (stepped down December 2021), Co-Founder & CEO of Liquid Icons, which organizes the Golden Vines Awards that serve as the Foundation's primary fundraising vehicle.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Institutional/Organizational Grants:

  • Applications submitted via online Typeform portal on foundation website
  • Foundation invites institutions, educators, community groups and organizations to submit applications
  • Trustees collectively review all applications
  • Assessment focuses on breadth and meaningfulness of impact on beneficiaries
  • Trustees discuss and decide on projects that best serve the mandate with greatest positive impact on diversity and inclusion

For Scholarships:

  • Applicants complete comprehensive form detailing experience, qualifications and eligibility
  • Judges review applications and create shortlist of most promising applicants
  • Shortlisted applicants invited to Zoom interviews
  • Judges collectively decide on scholarship recipients after interviews
  • Some scholarship programs have specific deadlines and cohorts

Decision Timeline

Institutional Grants: Timeline varies by funding cycle; annual announcements typically made in early calendar year (January-March) for the previous year's Golden Vines fundraising

Scholarships:

  • Laurent-Perrier example: Interviews week of 12 May, decisions communicated by 23 May
  • Generally 2-4 weeks from interview to decision notification

Success Rates

Institutional Grants: Approximately 61% success rate (2022 data: 14 funded from 23 applications)

Scholarships: More competitive, approximately 24% success rate for Laurent-Perrier Champagne Scholarships (12 awarded from 51 applicants)

The Foundation has been able to fund a significant proportion of quality applications due to successful fundraising through Golden Vines Awards.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in publicly available materials. Given the Foundation's mission and approach, unsuccessful applicants are likely welcome to reapply in subsequent funding rounds, particularly if they can strengthen their application's alignment with diversity/inclusion mandate or demonstrate greater potential impact.

Application Success Factors

Key Selection Criteria for Institutional Grants

Trustees assess:

  • Breadth and meaningfulness of impact on beneficiaries
  • Clear alignment with diversity, equity and inclusion mandate
  • Accessibility focus - reaching disadvantaged or underrepresented communities
  • Educational value - quality of training/education provided
  • Geographic diversity - Foundation supports global reach
  • Organizational capacity - ability to deliver proposed programs effectively

Key Selection Criteria for Scholarships

Judges evaluate:

  • Ability and likelihood of success in achieving educational/professional goals
  • Financial need for the scholarship
  • Potential contribution to promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry
  • Commitment to the wine, spirits or hospitality sector
  • Track record and relevant experience

Examples of Funded Projects (2023-2024)

  • UC Davis (USA): Diversity of Wine Academy outreach for 25 BIPOC community college students
  • AHIVOY (Oregon): 17-week training program for 10-12 Latinex vineyard stewards
  • Club Thrive (UK): Educational programme including intensive week at Plumpton College for People of Colour in hospitality (76 members, 18 scholarships)
  • Terra Uma (Israel): Winemaking therapy program for military veterans with PTSD (12 participants)
  • Africa Wine Academy (Ghana): WSET Level 1 for first cohort of 13 students
  • ASI/Zimbabwe: 6-month training programme for 30 aspiring sommeliers
  • Wine & Spirit Professional Centre (Greece): “Now I can do it too” supporting 25 single mothers
  • Bhutan Wine Company: WSET Level 1 training for 80-100 local hospitality professionals
  • Sunburst Vin (India): Wine certifications benefiting 64 students (first India grantee)

Language and Terminology

The Foundation consistently uses terminology emphasizing:

  • "Diversity, equity & inclusion" (not just diversity)
  • “Accessibility” and “providing access”
  • “Disadvantaged backgrounds” and “underrepresented communities”
  • “Meaningful impact”
  • “Fair chance” and “creating opportunities”
  • “Nurturing talent”

Strategic Advice from Leadership

Nina Basset on approach: The Foundation has been able to "distribute significantly more funds than we could have imagined to further the cause of diversity & inclusivity in the wine industry and – from next year – the spirit & hospitality sectors."

Romané Basset on philosophy: “Research has shown that there are still major issues when it comes to inclusion and diversity in the sector, and the Foundation uses its resources to ameliorate this through creating access and nurturing talent, hoping to play a part in affecting meaningful positive change.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Diversity/inclusion focus is non-negotiable - every application must clearly demonstrate how it advances diversity, equity and inclusion among underrepresented or disadvantaged communities
  • Quantify your impact - the Foundation values breadth and meaningfulness; be specific about numbers of beneficiaries and how lives will be changed
  • Demonstrate accessibility - show how your program removes barriers for people who could not otherwise afford or access opportunities
  • Global perspective welcomed - the Foundation actively seeks geographic diversity; international applications are encouraged
  • Educational rigor matters - programs should lead to recognized qualifications or meaningful professional development
  • Strong success rates - with 61% institutional grant success rate, well-aligned applications have good chances
  • Emphasize sustainability - show how your program creates lasting change and potentially serves as a model
  • Be authentic - the Foundation was created to honor Gérard Basset's legacy of mentorship and generosity; genuine passion for helping others succeed resonates

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References