Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation

Charity Number: 1179779

Annual Expenditure: £0.9M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £856,463 (2024-25)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (proactive grant-making model)
  • Grant Range: £50,000+ (larger grants documented)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide with strong Merseyside focus

Contact Details

Email: info@kendoddcharitablefoundation.com

Phone: 020 3693 3700

Website: https://kendoddcharitablefoundation.com

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube (@kendoddcharitablefoundation)

Note: The foundation does not appear to operate a formal open application process. Contact the foundation directly to discuss potential funding opportunities.

Overview

The Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation was established in 2013, with Sir Ken Dodd setting up the charitable structure before his death in 2018 to ensure his legacy of supporting performing arts and bringing happiness to children and young people would continue. The foundation reported total annual expenditure of £915,920 for the year ending March 2025, with charitable activities totaling £856,463. Led by Sir Ken's widow, Lady Anne Dodd, the foundation has made over 50 donations to more than 30 charities since 2018, with millions of pounds distributed to organizations across Liverpool, Merseyside, and the wider UK. The foundation's mission centers on helping children and young people pursue their creative passions while spreading laughter and happiness through three key areas: Health, Happiness, and Performing Arts. In January 2025, Lady Anne Dodd received one of Liverpool's highest civic honours in recognition of her charitable work through the foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes one-off grants to registered charities on a proactive basis. While there is no formal application portal, organizations can contact the foundation via email to express interest.

Documented Grant Examples:

  • £50,000+: Major equipment grants (e.g., ECMO machine for Alder Hey Children's Hospital via The Alder Hey League of Friends)
  • Three-year scholarships: Liverpool Theatre School (amount undisclosed)
  • Core funding: Isle of Man-St Vincent and the Grenadines Education Programme (ISEP) - initial grant covered almost half the cost of a three-week study tour, followed by two additional “very generous grants” providing core funding for scholarships
  • Capital projects: All-weather sports pitch for Knotty Ash Primary School (2022)
  • Performance venues: Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden at Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot (2022)

Priority Areas

Health: The foundation recognizes that “laughter is the best medicine” and supports health-related charities, particularly children's hospitals and medical equipment.

Happiness: Promoting wellbeing as central to quality of life, supporting projects that bring joy and opportunities to young people.

Performing Arts: Advancing education in the performing arts, supporting young artists, and encouraging the development of public appreciation for live performance and creative expression.

Geographic Focus: Strong emphasis on Liverpool and Merseyside, but also supports causes across the UK and internationally (e.g., Isle of Man, St Vincent and the Grenadines).

Target Beneficiaries: Children and young people, with particular focus on those pursuing creative passions and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's stated charitable objects allow for broad support, but evidence suggests they focus exclusively on:

  • Registered charities (not individuals applying directly)
  • Organizations aligned with performing arts, health, or education
  • Projects benefiting children and young people

Based on grant-making patterns, they appear to avoid:

  • General operating costs for large established organizations
  • Projects without clear benefit to young people
  • Initiatives outside their three core themes
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Lady Sybil Anne Dodd - Chair

Appointed: 29 May 2013

Sir Ken's widow leads the foundation with an active, hands-on approach to charitable giving. Lady Dodd personally opens funded facilities, meets with beneficiaries, and continues Sir Ken's legacy of supporting causes across Merseyside and beyond.

John Stephen Lewis, MBE - Trustee

Appointed: 27 September 2018

Sir Ken's nephew took Sir Ken's place as trustee following the comedian's death, bringing family continuity to the foundation's mission.

Peter Vaines - Trustee

Appointed: 29 May 2013

Also serves as trustee of The Hesperus Foundation.

All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Leadership Perspective

According to Lady Anne Dodd, the foundation seeks to support initiatives that are “exactly the sort of thing that Ken believed in and liked to support,” emphasizing projects that help children and young people while spreading laughter and happiness. The foundation takes a personal approach, with Lady Dodd stating their commitment to ensure funds "will ultimately help other good causes across Merseyside and elsewhere in the UK in the future, in line with the foundation's mission statement and Ken's wishes before he died."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation does not operate a formal open application process with published guidelines or deadlines. The foundation appears to make grants on a proactive basis, identifying and approaching organizations directly.

For organizations seeking funding:

  1. Contact the foundation via email: info@kendoddcharitablefoundation.com
  2. Clearly articulate how your project aligns with the foundation's mission: helping children and young people pursue creative passions while spreading laughter and happiness
  3. Demonstrate connection to performing arts, health, or wellbeing
  4. Geographic connection to Merseyside may strengthen applications, though UK-wide and international projects are considered

Grant Type: One-off grants to registered charities

Decision Timeline

No specific timeline information is publicly available. Based on the proactive nature of grant-making, the foundation appears to make decisions internally and approach organizations directly rather than working to fixed application deadlines.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation has made over 50 donations to more than 30 charities since 2018, suggesting they support multiple organizations each year.

Reapplication Policy

Given the “one-off” nature of grants and proactive approach, organizations should not expect recurring funding. However, the foundation has demonstrated willingness to make multiple grants to the same organization for different projects (e.g., multiple grants to ISEP over time).

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Connection to Sir Ken's Legacy: Projects that embody Sir Ken Dodd's values of bringing happiness, supporting young performers, and strengthening communities, particularly in Liverpool and Merseyside.

Direct Impact on Young People: The foundation consistently supports initiatives that create tangible opportunities for children and young people to develop their talents and pursue creative passions.

Performing Arts Focus: Strong preference for projects involving live performance, theatre, music, and creative education.

Examples of Funded Projects

  • Merseyside Adventure Sailing Trust (MAST): Youth adventure experiences on tall ships
  • Liverpool Theatre School: Three-year scholarship for talented student in professional musical theatre
  • Knotty Ash Primary School: All-weather sports pitch (2022)
  • Shakespeare North Playhouse: Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden, Prescot (2022)
  • Isle of Man-St Vincent and the Grenadines Education Programme (ISEP): Core funding for boarding scholarships at King William's College for Vincentian students pursuing International Baccalaureate
  • Alder Hey Children's Hospital: £50,000 for ECMO life-saving medical equipment via The Alder Hey League of Friends
  • Liverpool Women's Hospital Charity: Donation (amount undisclosed)
  • Overseas Plastic Surgery Appeal (OPSA): Medical intervention funding

Strategic Considerations

Relationship-Based Grant-making: The foundation takes a personal, relational approach. Lady Dodd actively engages with funded organizations, attending openings and events.

Capital and Project Funding: Evidence suggests the foundation supports both capital projects (buildings, equipment) and program funding (scholarships, core funding).

Multi-Year Commitment: While grants are described as “one-off,” the foundation has demonstrated willingness to make multiple grants to particularly aligned organizations (e.g., ISEP received three separate grants).

Alignment with "Ken's Wishes": Projects that Sir Ken Dodd would have personally supported - bringing laughter, supporting performers, helping young people, and strengthening Liverpool/Merseyside communities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Do not submit unsolicited formal proposals: The foundation operates proactively. Instead, make initial contact via email to introduce your organization and express interest in partnership.
  • Emphasize the “happiness” factor: Projects should demonstrate how they bring joy, laughter, and wellbeing to children and young people, not just skills development.
  • Liverpool/Merseyside connection helps: While UK-wide projects are funded, strong Merseyside roots or impact significantly strengthens alignment with the foundation's mission.
  • Think big: Documented grants include £50,000+ donations and multi-year commitments. The foundation has significant resources and is willing to make substantial investments in aligned projects.
  • Performing arts and health are priorities: The strongest applications will combine elements of creative expression, live performance, or therapeutic benefits with clear impact on young people.
  • Build relationships: This is a relationship-driven funder. Consider attending events where Lady Dodd or trustees might be present, or find warm introductions through mutual connections in the Liverpool charitable sector.
  • Be patient and persistent: Without a formal application cycle, timing is unpredictable. Maintain regular, respectful contact and update the foundation on your organization's work aligned with their mission.

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