Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,091,000 (2024/25)
• Total Grants to Date: Over $500,000 (approximately £400,000) through 23 unrestricted grants
• Grant Recipients: 23 grassroots organizations
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (unrestricted grants to partner organizations)
• Geographic Focus: UK and USA (primarily London for Business by Design program)
• Founded: 2022
• Charity Number: 1198460

Contact Details

Address: 24 Britton Street, London EC1M 5UA

Email: foundation@kurtgeiger.com

Phone: 020 7940 0104

Website: www.kurtgeiger.com/kurt-geiger-kindness-foundation

Overview

The Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation is a stand-alone, non-profit organization established in 2022 by fashion footwear retailer Kurt Geiger. The Foundation's mission is to build a more inclusive creative industry by providing young people with the support, skills and opportunities they need to overcome barriers and kick-start their careers. In its most recent financial year (ending February 2025), the Foundation had total income of £1.091 million and expenditure of £945,000. The Foundation operates with 5 employees, 6 trustees, and 63 volunteers. The charity aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals including Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work (SDG 8), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). The Foundation employs a dual approach: providing unrestricted grants to grassroots organizations and running its flagship Business by Design academy for underrepresented young Londoners aged 18-24.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates two distinct funding models:

1. Unrestricted Grants to Grassroots Organizations

• Amount: Not publicly disclosed
• Type: Unrestricted funding to partner charities
• Focus: Organizations supporting young creatives aged 13-25
• To date: 23 grants totaling over $500,000

2. Business by Design Academy

• A fully-funded, free 7-month learning program
• Fully funded by the Foundation (over £2 million raised to support the program)
• For underrepresented 18-24 year-olds in London
• Includes AQA-accredited unit awards, over 200 hours of learning, paid work experience, mentorship, and all expenses covered
• Plans to expand digitally and to the USA

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on:

• Young creatives aged 13-25: Supporting access to creative industry careers
• Underrepresented communities: Particularly those from marginalized backgrounds prevented from considering creative careers due to systemic discrimination
• Grassroots organizations: Those rooted in local communities that empower young people and spark creativity
• Creative industries: Fashion, design, marketing, business, and related fields
• Skills development: Practical career support, mentorship, and work experience
• Mental health and wellbeing: Particularly for adolescent girls and young women (through partners like Gurls Talk)

Partner Organizations

UK Partners:

• Gurls Talk (mental health and wellbeing for adolescent girls)
• JE Delve
• Arts Emergency (award-winning mentoring charity)
• Accumulate (Art School for the Homeless)
• Art Start
• Cocoon, Care After Care

US Partners:

• artworxLA (Los Angeles - served over 700 local youth in 2024)
• New Image Youth Center (NIYC) in Orlando (supported over 300 young people)

What They Don't Fund

Based on the Foundation's focus, they appear not to fund:

• Organizations outside the creative industries sector
• Projects not focused on young people aged 13-25
• Individual applications (only organizational partnerships and the Business by Design cohort program)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes:

• Neil Clifford - CEO of Kurt Geiger and Foundation Trustee
• Pascale Montaner - Vice President of Global Marketing at Kurt Geiger & Executive Director of the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation
• Rebecca Farrar-Hockley - Chief Creative Officer of Kurt Geiger and Foundation Board Member
• Dale Christilaw - Trustee
• Bernadette Hagans - Independent Trustee and disability advocate
• Jeremiah Emmanuel - Independent Trustee and youth engagement expert

The Foundation also works with an Advisory Board of young people aged 18-25 who co-design programs.

Leadership Philosophy

Rebecca Farrar-Hockley has emphasized the Foundation's commitment to authenticity and diversity, stating that “the idea of shooting one pretty skinny model surrounded by product is dated and not representative of the diversity of the Kurt Geiger customer.” She believes “You need an authenticity and I wanted to get a cast of characters that brings out a sense of personal creativity and individualism.”

The Foundation aims to raise £1 million annually to redeploy into charity programs supporting young individuals.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizations Seeking Grants:

The Foundation does not appear to have an open application process publicly available. Based on available information, they work with selected partner organizations through established relationships. Organizations interested in partnership should contact the Foundation directly at foundation@kurtgeiger.com.

For Young People (Business by Design):

The Business by Design academy recruits cohorts of 18-24 year-olds from underrepresented backgrounds in London. Applications have surged 130% in recent years. Specific application windows and processes should be confirmed through the Foundation's website or by contacting foundation@kurtgeiger.com.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available. Interested applicants should contact the Foundation for specific information about application cycles and decision timeframes.

Success Rates

Business by Design Program:

• Applications increased 130% year-over-year
• Cohort doubled from initial launch in January 2024 to September 2024
• 50+ young Londoners welcomed in recent cohorts

Organizational Grants:

• 23 grants awarded to date
• 6 UK charity partners
• 2 US charity partners
• Reaching over 250,000 young creatives through partnerships

Reapplication Policy

No public information available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Business by Design Outcomes (Key Indicators of Program Success)

The Business by Design program has demonstrated exceptional outcomes:

• 85% of graduates in full-time roles now work within the creative industries
• 22% of 2025 alumni are employed full-time at Kurt Geiger
• 26% have progressed to further study at institutions including London College of Fashion
• 21% have launched their own ventures (styling agencies, jewellery brands, fashion labels)
• 97% reported improved technical skills
• 100% would recommend the program and reported feeling optimistic about their career

What the Foundation Values

Based on their partner organizations and programs, successful applicants likely demonstrate:

1. Community-rooted approach: Grassroots organizations embedded in local communities
2. Focus on barriers: Addressing systemic discrimination and barriers to creative careers
3. Practical support: Providing hands-on career support, mentorship, and opportunities
4. Youth-centered: Working with young people aged 13-25
5. Creative industries focus: Supporting pathways into fashion, design, arts, and creative business
6. Diversity and inclusion: Centering underrepresented and marginalized communities
7. Authenticity: Genuine commitment to empowering individual creativity and self-expression

Strategic Approach

The Foundation appears to prefer:

• Long-term partnerships rather than one-off grants
• Unrestricted funding allowing partners flexibility
• Organizations that can demonstrate reach and impact with young creatives
• Collaborative relationships with ongoing engagement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Partnership-focused, not open grants: The Foundation works with selected partner organizations rather than operating an open grant application process. Building a relationship with the Foundation may be important before funding opportunities arise.

1. Young creatives are central: All funding is directed toward supporting young people aged 13-25 in accessing creative industry careers. Your organization must demonstrate clear impact with this demographic.

1. Unrestricted funding model: The Foundation provides unrestricted grants, suggesting they value organizational autonomy and trust their partners' expertise in deploying resources effectively.

1. Scale and reach matter: With only 23 grants awarded to date, the Foundation appears selective. Demonstrating significant reach (partners support over 250,000 young people collectively) may be important.

1. Diversity and inclusion are non-negotiable: The Foundation explicitly focuses on underrepresented and marginalized communities facing systemic barriers. Applications must demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion.

1. Creative industries expertise required: The Foundation and its parent company are deeply embedded in the creative sector, particularly fashion and design. Organizations should demonstrate sector knowledge and connections.

1. Contact directly: Without an open application process, interested organizations should reach out to foundation@kurtgeiger.com to explore partnership possibilities and learn about funding opportunities.

References

1. UK Charity Commission - Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation Registration (Charity No. 1198460): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5192368

1. Footwear News (2022) - "Kurt Geiger Launches 'Kindness Foundation' Charity for Young Creatives": https://footwearnews.com/business/business-news/kurt-geiger-launches-kindness-foundation-charity-1203332990/

1. Kurt Geiger Official Website - “The Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation”: https://www.kurtgeiger.us/kurt-geiger-kindness-foundation

1. Kurt Geiger Official Website - “Our Charity Partners”: https://www.kurtgeiger.us/our-charity-partners

1. UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs - “Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation” partnership profile: https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/kurt-geiger-kindness-foundation

1. Business Charity Awards - “The Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation: Business by Design” finalist profile: https://www.businesscharityawards.com/finalists/the-kurt-geiger-kindness-foundation-business-by-design-ea1lxyr3q01lb00

1. Fashion United (2023) - “Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation launches learning programme”: https://fashionunited.uk/news/kurt-geiger-kindness-foundation-launches-learning-programme/2023071770579

1. WWD - “Kurt Geiger Expands Business by Design Program Across the U.K.”: https://wwd.com/footwear-news/shoe-industry-news/kurt-geiger-expands-business-by-design-program-1237707470/

1. South China Morning Post - “15 minutes with Rebecca Farrar-Hockley, creative director of Kurt Geiger”: https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/1823148/15-minutes-rebecca-farrar-hockley-creative-director-kurt-geiger

1. Companies House UK - Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation company information (Company No. 13776784): https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13776784

All sources.