HG Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £6,849,591 (FY 2023-24)
• Annual Expenditure: £4,038,403 (FY 2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only partnerships)
• Decision Time: 9-12 months (partnership development process)
• Grant Range: £225,000 - £2,000,000 per partnership
• Geographic Focus: UK, Europe, and North America
• Total Commitments Since 2020: $45 million
• Application Method: Strategic partnerships (invitation-only)

Contact Details

Website: www.thehgfoundation.com

Registered Charity Number: 1189216

Registered Address: 2 More London Riverside, London, SE1 2AP

Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organisations interested in partnership should sign up for their newsletter to receive updates about future funding opportunities.

Overview

The Hg Foundation was launched in April 2020 as a UK registered charity, funded entirely by Hg, Europe's leading software and technology services investor. The Foundation's vision is that “the technology workforce of the future harnesses the talents of all, regardless of their background.” Since its launch, the Foundation has committed $45 million to programmes supporting over 70,000 young people and adults from underrepresented backgrounds across 30+ partnerships in the UK, Europe, and North America. By 2027, the Foundation aims to catalyse 100,000 impactful opportunities on the tech talent pipeline for underrepresented groups. The Foundation is funded through a proportion of carried interest from current and future Hg funds, a proportion of Hg's annual profits, and charitable activities across the firm, with an ambition to reach over $5 million in annual commitments over the first ten years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Hg Foundation operates through strategic partnerships with high-quality, evidence-backed organisations rather than open grant applications. Typical partnership grants range from £225,000 to £2,000,000 over 2-3 years.

Recent Partnership Examples:

• upReach (Tech500): £1.5 million renewal grant (2024) for tech career support for disadvantaged students
• Generation France: €1.1 million renewal grant (2024) for tech skills training for unemployed adults
• Maths Excellence Fund: £2 million contribution (with XTX Markets providing £5 million) for maths attainment in schools
• Hopeworks (USA): $1.2 million over 3 years for tech training for vulnerable youth
• Technical University of Munich: €750,000 for STEM education programmes
• Article 1 & Fondation Florence: €1 million for tech education in France

Partnership Development Process

The Foundation follows a 9-12 month process from initial conversations to approval:

1. Pipeline and scoping
2. Concept note stage
3. Full proposal review
4. Implementation with grant agreement

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on two key intervention points:

1. Education System (Ages 11-18+)

• Increasing aspirations towards STEM/tech pathways
• Improving STEM qualification attainment
• Building technical skills and qualifications
• Supporting access to tech-focused higher education

2. Employment Cusp (Young Adults & Career Changers)

• Tech skills training and bootcamps
• Employability skills development
• Career awareness and guidance
• Job placement support in technology sector

Target Groups:

• Women and girls in technology
• Low-income backgrounds
• Underrepresented ethnic groups
• Mature learners and career changers
• Students from disadvantaged backgrounds

What The Foundation Looks For

Programme Criteria:

• Evidence-based approaches with proven outcomes
• Clear, measurable impact metrics
• Potential for scaling and replication
• Run by expert organisations with track record
• Commitment to transparency and learning
• Capacity to effectively use substantial funding (typically £200k-£2m)
• Focus on tech/STEM education and employment

What They Don't Fund

Based on their strategic focus, the Foundation does not support:

• General charitable activities outside tech/STEM education
• Organisations without evidence-based approaches
• Programmes without clear outcome metrics
• Initiatives outside UK, Europe, and North America
• Single-organisation beneficiary charities
• Organisations unable to demonstrate scalability
• Unsolicited applications from unknown organisations

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Chair: Richard Donner (Partner at Hg)

Notable Trustees:

• Tom Attwood: Former chair of the Academy and Free School Board at the Department for Education
• Sir Kevan Collins: Former CEO of The Education Endowment Foundation (2011-2019), visiting professor at UCL Institute of Education
• Elona Mortimer-Zhika: Chair of Tech Advisory Board, former CEO of IRIS Software Group, recipient of 'Tech CEO of the Year' award at the UK Tech Awards
• Matthew Brockman: Trustee and Managing Partner of Hg

Tom Attwood stated at launch: “It is incredibly exciting to launch the Foundation at such a critical time for technology education and skills development. We welcome the support of Hg, who provide access to a team with deep technological and operational expertise, as well as its wider network comprising over 30 technology businesses and over 30,000 skilled employees.”

Sir Kevan Collins noted: “We have chosen our two initial partnerships based on evidence that tutoring represents the gold-standard of measurable intervention in education. The move to tech-enabled tutoring and online is the next step, whilst STEM subjects remain increasingly important in the modern world.”

Leadership Team

CEO: James Turner

James has 20 years of experience in philanthropy, education, and social mobility sectors. Previously CEO of the Sutton Trust and Founding Deputy CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation. He studied English at Cambridge.

Portfolio Leads: Kymrun Dhami (Director of mA*ths and Portfolio Lead), Gemma Collins, Priya Bryant

Data and Impact Lead: Jen Stevenson

Operations Manager: Ali St Paul

Internal Comms and Engagement Manager: Hannah Brown

Key Quote from CEO James Turner

“At a time when the impacts of generative AI on the labour market are far from clear, it has never been more important to ensure that those who already face barriers are given the best chances of success.”

On a partnership with Birkbeck University: "Birkbeck's commitment to social mobility and lifelong learning mirrors the vision of The Hg Foundation. We are thrilled to partner to bridge the digital skills gap among mature learners and those from less advantaged backgrounds and to encourage more to pursue careers in the technology sector."

How to Apply to Hg Foundation

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Hg Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The Foundation operates through a strategic partnership model, proactively identifying and approaching organisations that align with their mission and criteria.

For Organisations Interested in Future Partnerships:

• Sign up for the Foundation's newsletter at thehgfoundation.com for updates on funding opportunities
• Demonstrate evidence-based approaches with clear outcomes
• Build a strong track record in tech/STEM education or employment
• Develop scalable programmes with measurable impact

Decision Timeline

Partnership Development Process: 9-12 months from initial conversation to grant agreement

1. Pipeline and Scoping (2-3 months): Initial discussions and strategic fit assessment
2. Concept Note Stage (2-3 months): Detailed proposal development
3. Full Proposal Review (3-4 months): Due diligence and impact assessment
4. Implementation (1-2 months): Grant agreement and programme launch

Success Rates

Not applicable - the Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, proactively identifying and selecting partners through strategic research and sector expertise.

Reapplication Policy

As the Foundation does not accept open applications, there is no formal reapplication policy. Organisations interested in partnering should maintain contact through the Foundation's newsletter and continue developing evidence-based programmes in tech education and employment.

Application Success Factors

What Makes a Successful Partnership

Based on the Foundation's stated criteria and funded partnerships:

1. Evidence-Based Approach

The Foundation prioritises organisations with proven, measurable outcomes. Sir Kevan Collins emphasised that “tutoring represents the gold-standard of measurable intervention in education.”

2. Scale and Impact Potential

Successful partners demonstrate ability to:

• Reach significant numbers (programmes typically support 500-1,000+ beneficiaries over 3 years)
• Scale interventions effectively
• Replicate successful models

3. Clear Outcome Metrics

All partnerships track specific KPIs such as:

• Employment rates in tech sector
• Qualification attainment
• Career progression outcomes
• Example: upReach reported 70% of first cohort secured highly skilled graduate jobs, with 38% in tech roles
• Example: Generation France achieved 88% of graduates securing tech jobs within six months

4. Focus on Underrepresented Groups

Successful partnerships explicitly target:

• Women and girls (especially in STEM/tech)
• Low-income backgrounds
• Underrepresented ethnic groups
• Example: Generation France served learners of whom 89% were unemployed and 20% faced housing challenges

5. Strategic Alignment with Tech Sector

Programmes connect directly to technology careers and skills:

• STEM qualifications and tech education
• Software development, data science, cybersecurity
• Digital skills and tech employability
• Industry connections and internships

6. Operational Excellence

Partners demonstrate:

• Strong governance and financial management
• Capacity to manage large grants (£200k-£2m)
• Commitment to transparency and learning
• Ability to collaborate with Hg's network of 30+ tech companies

Partnership Examples and Lessons

upReach Tech500: Targeted support for 500 disadvantaged undergraduates seeking tech sector careers, with mentoring, skills training, and employer connections. Renewal grant of £1.5m demonstrated success of evidence-based model.

Generation France: Tech bootcamps for unemployed adults achieving 88% job placement rate, illustrating the Foundation's focus on measurable employment outcomes.

Maths Excellence Fund: Collaborative funding approach with corporate partner (XTX Markets), supporting schools to improve maths attainment for disadvantaged students ages 11-18.

Strategic Considerations

James Turner emphasised that the Foundation plans to “focus down on those programmes and organisations that are making the biggest difference” through cost-effectiveness analysis, indicating a data-driven approach to partnership selection and renewal.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. No Open Applications: The HG Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. They identify and approach potential partners strategically. Build your organisation's reputation and track record in tech education/employment to be noticed.

1. Evidence is Everything: Demonstrate proven outcomes with quantifiable metrics. The Foundation's trustees are education research experts who prioritise “gold-standard” evidence-based interventions.

1. Scale Matters: Show potential to reach hundreds or thousands of beneficiaries and replicate successful models. Typical grants are £200k-£2m over 2-3 years, requiring capacity to manage substantial funding.

1. Focus on Tech/STEM: Align programmes explicitly with technology sector skills and careers. Generic employability or education programmes won't fit unless they have clear tech/STEM pathways.

1. Target Underrepresented Groups: Prioritise women/girls, low-income backgrounds, and underrepresented ethnic groups. Programmes must address specific barriers these groups face in accessing tech careers.

1. Long-Term Relationship: Partnership development takes 9-12 months. The Foundation seeks ongoing collaborations with potential for renewal based on impact data (see upReach and Generation France renewals).

1. Leverage Tech Network: The Foundation can provide more than funding - access to Hg's network of 30+ tech companies, 30,000 skilled employees, mentors, and internship opportunities. Show how you could utilise these resources.

1. Stay Connected: Sign up for the Foundation's newsletter and follow their LinkedIn for partnership announcements and strategic priorities. Build relationships over time rather than seeking immediate funding.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Belron Ronnie Lubner Charitable Foundation
• Sofronie Foundation
• The Pa Foundation
• The Spectris Foundation
• The Happold Foundation
• The Sam And Bella Sebba Charitable Foundation
• Huo Family Foundation (uk) Limited
• The Mila Charitable Organisation
• The Gsr Foundation
• Chartered Institute For Securities & Investment Future Foundation

References

1. The Hg Foundation Official Website - https://www.thehgfoundation.com/
2. The Hg Foundation About Page - https://www.thehgfoundation.com/about
3. The Hg Foundation Partnerships Page - https://www.thehgfoundation.com/partnerships
4. UK Charity Commission Register - HG Foundation (1189216) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1189216
5. “The launch of The Hg Foundation” - Hg Capital - https://hgcapital.com/insights/the-launch-of-the-hg-foundation
6. “upReach and The Hg Foundation announce major new partnership” - Hg Capital - https://hgcapital.com/insights/upreach-and-the-hg-foundation-announce-major-new-partnership
7. “The Hg Foundation announces £1.5m partnership renewal” - upReach - https://upreach.org.uk/news/hg-foundations-renews-partnership/
8. “Generation France and The Hg Foundation announce €1m+ new tech-focused partnership” - Hg Capital - https://hgcapital.com/insights/generation-france-and-the-hg-foundation-announce-eur1m-new-tech-focused
9. "'Maths Excellence Fund' Launches With Commitments From XTX Markets and the HG Foundation" - FF News - https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/fintech/maths-excellence-fund-launches-with-commitments-from-xtx-markets-and-the-hg-foundation/
10. “The Hg Foundation forms a €750,000 partnership with The Technical University of Munich” - Hg Capital - https://hgcapital.com/insights/the-hg-foundation-forms-a-eur750-000-partnership-with-tum (2024)
11. “James Turner, CEO of The Hg Foundation - Looking Ahead” - https://www.thehgfoundation.com/news-and-insights/looking-ahead
12. “The Hg Foundation commits €1 million to support tech education in France” - https://www.thehgfoundation.com/news-and-insights/the-hg-foundation-partners-with-article-1-and-florence