Imagine Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??759,633 (2023 expenditure)
• Grant Range: ??5,000 - ??10,000 (typical)
• Portfolio: 25 charities supported
• 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

Phone: 7973675257

Address: Lower Farm, Oakley Road, Chinnor, OX39 4HR

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) and is based in Chinnor, Oxfordshire. 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 manages a multi-year commitment portfolio of 25 charities 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 emphasizes partnership and learning, actively working alongside supported organizations to understand community contexts and share knowledge across their network.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Core/Unrestricted Grants: ??5,000 - ??10,000 (typical range)
• Multi-year commitments: Foundation provides sustained support to portfolio organizations
• Application method: Periodic funding windows (currently closed)

Priority Areas

• Small-scale projects and young charities: Particular focus on organizations 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: Organizations 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 organizations 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.

Diane Eyre's Philosophy:

"Small charities aren't all that different from small businesses... being small should not be a barrier to funding for charities."

"Without taking risks, we won't see good things happen."

Diane Eyre advocates strongly for embracing risk in philanthropy and has spoken publicly about the vital importance of unrestricted, multi-year funding for smaller organizations. She believes core funding is “vital to the heartbeat of an organisation” and has championed this approach through IF Trust's grantmaking.

Application Process and Timeline

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 recipients 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 organization
• 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

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

Example Funded Partners

• School of Hard Knocks: Received early unrestricted funding, enabling growth from local Liverpool organization to UK-wide service
• REfUSE Durham: Food waste project running “Pay As You Feel” community cafe and campaigns
• Houria CIC: Bristol-based anti-slavery organization training female survivors through Pan-African catering
• Luminary Bakery: Social enterprise offering opportunities for women experiencing disadvantage
• Strength & Stem: Empowering trafficking survivors through employment and skills training
• Grow: Eight-week employment programme for 16-24 year olds combining coaching with work experience
• Elevated Minds CIC: Empowering young people to identify purpose and raise aspirations
• Artizan International: Supporting people with disabilities through therapeutic craft activities

Standing Out

• Demonstrate deep community roots and local knowledge
• Show potential for organizational growth and impact scaling
• Emphasize 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 explicitly embraces risk-taking in philanthropy - don't be afraid to present ambitious goals
• Portfolio model: With only 25 charities 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: Organizations must be deeply embedded in the communities they serve with participatory models

References

• Charity Commission Register. (2025). “IMAGINE FOUNDATION - Charity Number 1152864.” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1152864&subid=0

• IF Trust. (2025). “About Us.” http://www.if-trust.org/about_us.php

• IF Trust. (2025). “Contact Us.” https://www.if-trust.org/contact_us.php

• IF Trust. (2025). “Our Partners.” https://if-trust.org/our_partners.php

• IF Trust. (2025). “REfUSE - Partner Story.” https://www.if-trust.org/refuse.php

• The Fore. (2024). “Debunking Myths Around Funding - The Fore Funders Collective Inaugural Breakfast.” https://thefore.org/news/debunking-myths-around-funding-the-fore-funders-collective-inaugural-breakfast/

• Kessell Design. (2025). “Integrated Design for the Imagine Foundation.” http://kesselldesign.co.uk/if-trust