Imagine Foundation

Charity Number: 1152864

Annual Expenditure: £0.8M

Geographic Focus: Scotland, Throughout England And Wales

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £759,633 (2023 expenditure)
Grant Range: Not specified
Portfolio: 18 partners listed on website
Decision Time: Not specified (periodic funding windows)
Geographic Focus: England, Scotland, and Wales
Funding Type: Unrestricted, multi-year commitments

Contact Details

Website: www.if-trust.org

Email: info@if-trust.org

Address: Not publicly listed

Note: Applications are currently closed while the foundation processes recent submissions. The foundation operates periodic funding windows rather than rolling applications.

Overview

The Imagine Foundation (operating as IF Trust) was registered as a charity in 2013 (Charity Number 1152864). Co-founded by Diane and Steve Eyre, IF Trust is a volunteer-run grant-making foundation with five trustees. In 2023, the charity had a total income of £277,244 and distributed £759,633 in grants. The foundation's mission is to support charities and projects focused on building community and empowering people to reach their potential. IF Trust maintains a portfolio of partner organisations and has evolved from project-specific funding to unrestricted, multi-year grants, particularly supporting small-scale projects and young charities working with disadvantaged communities. The foundation emphasises partnership and learning, actively working alongside supported organisations to understand community contexts and share knowledge across their network.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Core/Unrestricted Grants: Multi-year commitments to partner organisations
Application method: Periodic funding windows (currently closed)

Priority Areas

Small-scale projects and young charities: Particular focus on organisations in early stages of development
Disadvantaged communities: Supporting work with vulnerable and marginalized populations
Community building: Projects that strengthen community cohesion and connection
Individual empowerment: Programs enabling people to reach their potential
Social enterprises: Organisations combining social mission with sustainable models
Youth development: Programs supporting young people aged 16-24
Anti-trafficking and modern slavery: Supporting survivors through employment and skills
Disability inclusion: Enabling people with disabilities to meet their full potential
Food security and sustainability: Projects addressing food waste and access
Mental health and wellbeing: Supporting emotional and social development

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not detailed on their website, but the foundation's focus is clearly on grassroots, community-based organisations working with disadvantaged populations in England, Scotland, and Wales.

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Governance and Leadership

Co-founders and Directors: Diane Eyre and Steve Eyre

Governance Structure: Five trustees who serve on a voluntary basis and meet periodically. No trustees receive remuneration or benefits from the charity.

Foundation Philosophy:

The foundation advocates for embracing risk in philanthropy and champions unrestricted, multi-year funding for smaller organisations. IF Trust believes core funding is vital to organisations and has made this approach central to their grantmaking.

How to Apply to Imagine Foundation

How to Apply

Current Status: Applications are currently CLOSED
Application Method: Periodic funding windows (not rolling basis)
Process: When open, applications are submitted via the foundation's website
Selection: Foundation contacts potential applicants for more information during review process

Decision Timeline

IF Trust operates as a small, volunteer-run foundation with trustees meeting periodically
Decision timelines are not publicly specified due to the volunteer nature of the organisation
Processing can take considerable time given the small team and high application volume

Success Rates

No specific success rate data is publicly available. The foundation received a “large number of applications” during their most recent funding window, indicating competitive selection.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified where possible
Foundation states they “cannot give bespoke feedback” on unsuccessful applications
No specific information about reapplication waiting periods or restrictions is provided

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

Small and young organisations: IF Trust specifically targets charities in early development stages
Unrestricted funding need: Foundation prioritises core/unrestricted support over project-specific grants
Community-rooted: Organisations must be deeply connected to the communities they serve
Learning orientation: Projects that can contribute insights across IF Trust's partner network
Empowerment focus: Programs that enable participants to reach their potential
Holistic approach: IF Trust values creative, comprehensive models (e.g., praising REfUSE's “holistic nature”)

Example Funded Partners

Artizan International: Supporting people with disabilities through therapeutic craft activities and social enterprise
Elevated Minds CIC: Empowering young people to identify purpose and raise aspirations
Free to be Kids: Supporting children and young people struggling with social or emotional difficulties
Grow: Eight-week employment programme for 16-24 year olds combining coaching with work experience
Handcrafted: Helping disadvantaged people become active community members
Hear Me Out: Working with immigration detainees through music
Houria CIC: Bristol-based anti-slavery organisation training female survivors through Pan-African catering
Know Your Worth: Oxford-based organisation helping young people grow in self-esteem
Lippy People: Video storytelling charity effecting personal and social change
LS14 Trust: Revitalising the Seacroft estate and surrounding locality
Luminary Bakery: Social enterprise offering opportunities for women experiencing disadvantage
Mandem Meetup: Grassroots charity promoting men's mental health and wellbeing
Monty's Community Hub: Grassroots response to local youth centre closure
North East Young Dads & Lads: Supporting young men and fathers
REfUSE Durham: Food waste project running “Pay As You Feel” community cafe and campaigns
Strength & Stem: Empowering trafficking survivors through employment and skills training
Touch Network: Celebrating real life stories of people overcoming struggles
The Women & Families Resource Centre: Supporting, empowering and advocating for women and children

Standing Out

Demonstrate deep community roots and local knowledge
Show potential for organisational growth and impact scaling
Emphasise need for core/unrestricted funding rather than project-specific support
Highlight how your work contributes to broader learning about community issues
Use language around “imagination,” “potential,” and “possibility”
Show willingness to engage in partnership and knowledge-sharing

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Unrestricted is key: IF Trust has deliberately shifted to unrestricted, multi-year funding model - frame your needs accordingly
Small is the target: Being a small, young charity is an advantage, not a disadvantage with this funder
Partnership approach: IF Trust seeks ongoing relationships, not one-off grants - demonstrate openness to collaboration
Risk-tolerant: Foundation embraces risk-taking in philanthropy - present ambitious goals
Limited portfolio: With 18 partners in their portfolio, competition is significant - make your community impact clear
Limited capacity: Volunteer-run with five trustees means decision-making is slow - be patient and plan accordingly
Currently closed: Monitor website for next funding window announcement before investing time in application
Community-rooted essential: Organisations must be deeply embedded in the communities they serve with participatory models