Leo Lion Foundation

Charity Number: 1122148

Annual Expenditure: £0.9M
Geographic Focus: Throughout London, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, Rwanda, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda ... [3 more]

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Quick Stats

  • Charity Number: 1122148
  • Annual Giving: £873,316 (2024)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (significant multi-year partnerships)
  • Geographic Focus: UK and developing world (particularly Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique)
  • Application Process: Invitation only - no unsolicited applications accepted
  • Founded: 2008 (trust deed dated 2007)

Contact Details

Leo Lion Foundation

  • Website: www.leolionfoundation.org
  • Charity Number: 1122148
  • Status: Registered charity (Trust)

Note: The foundation does not publish direct contact details for grant applications as they operate on an invitation-only basis.

Overview

The Leo Lion Foundation (established as COINS Foundation in 2008) is the charitable arm of Leo Lion Limited, founded by technology entrepreneur Larry Sullivan. The foundation operates on a distinctive model of long-term strategic partnerships rather than traditional grant-making. According to Charity Commission records for the year ending March 2024, the foundation provided grants totalling £873,316, with principal funding from Larry Sullivan contributing £2,306,000. The foundation works in partnership with excluded and disenfranchised people to develop inclusive communities, especially in the developing world. Their core belief is that “with any excess or privilege (economic, intellectual or physical) comes a responsibility to help others.” The foundation provides a “hand up” rather than a “hand out,” combining financial support with broad business acumen to help partner organisations achieve sustainable impact. They believe that when values take centre stage in corporate endeavours, businesses become a potent force for securing both social and economic prosperity.

Funding Priorities

Charitable Objects

The Leo Lion Foundation's registered charitable objectives include:

  1. Prevention or relief of poverty by providing housing, education, training, healthcare projects, and support to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient
  1. Advancement of education by providing facilities, equipment and services connected with education
  1. Promoting social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on several interconnected themes:

Education & Special Educational Needs

  • Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
  • Students struggling in mainstream education
  • Education access in developing countries
  • STEM education and employability skills

Disability & Inclusion

  • Services for disabled people
  • Inclusive recreation programmes
  • Creating more inclusive and equitable societies
  • Diverse ability recognition

International Development

  • Community development in Africa (Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique)
  • Housing for vulnerable populations
  • Building inclusive communities in developing countries

Social Enterprises & Sustainable Impact

  • Organisations with business acumen
  • Projects that can become self-sustaining
  • Long-term systemic change rather than short-term relief

Known Partner Organisations

The foundation has established or funded long-term partnerships with:

  • PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools) - Since 2009, supported the acquisition and expansion of 12 schools across Uganda and Zambia
  • Undershaw Education Trust - Established by the foundation in 2016 as a leading education centre for children with SEND
  • Pathways Education - Started by the foundation to support students struggling in mainstream education or unable to access it
  • Habitat for Humanity - Partnership began in 2008, funding Orphans and Vulnerable Children project in Uganda, Mozambique, and Zambia
  • SURREY SATRO - Educational charity focused on STEM education and work placements
  • Challengers - Inclusive recreation programmes
  • VR Therapies - Virtual reality therapeutic interventions
  • DFN Project SEARCH - Employment preparation for people with disabilities
  • Widad Centre - Social impact organisation
  • Himalayan Youth Foundation - Youth development
  • Big hART - Arts-based social change
  • Disability sailing programmes - In the UK and Australia

What They Don't Fund

Based on their invitation-only model:

  • Unsolicited applications from any organisation
  • Short-term projects without strategic alignment
  • Organisations seeking one-off grants without partnership potential
  • Projects outside their core themes of education, disability inclusion, and poverty relief
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (as of 2024)

  • Serial technology entrepreneur and founder of Leo Lion Limited
  • Established COINS Foundation in 2008
  • Known for philosophy of using business acumen for social impact
  • Also trustee of Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity
  • Also trustee of Habitat for Humanity Great Britain
  • Also trustee of Pathways Community Trust
  1. Jake Hatt (Trustee since April 2022)
  1. Claire Felicia Cookson (Trustee since July 2024)

Leadership Philosophy

The foundation's philosophy emphasises that diverse ability often requires social, economic, and political interventions to create a more inclusive and equitable society. They aim to influence people to think differently about poverty, disability, and injustice, moving beyond traditional charity models to create sustainable change through business expertise and long-term partnerships.

How to Apply to Leo Lion Foundation

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Leo Lion Foundation explicitly states: “The COINS Foundation is unable to make awards to unsolicited applicants. Please do not apply for a grant unless you have been invited to do so.”

The foundation operates through:

  • Invitation-only partnerships with carefully selected NGOs and charities
  • Values alignment between the foundation's leadership and partner organisations
  • Long-term strategic relationships rather than one-off grants
  • Trustee discretion in identifying potential partners

Grants are awarded through pre-existing relationships and strategic partnerships initiated by the foundation's trustees, who have connections in the education, construction, housing, and international development sectors.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on trustee connections and partnership patterns, organisations might be noticed through:

Sector-Specific Connections

  • The construction industry and housing sector (through trustee Robert Brown's connection to Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and Habitat for Humanity)
  • Special educational needs and alternative education provision (through trustee Joanne Pickford's connection to Pathways Community Trust)
  • International development work in East and Southern Africa
  • Disability inclusion and SEND services

Demonstrated Characteristics

Organisations in the Leo Lion Foundation's network typically demonstrate:

  • Sustainable business models or social enterprises
  • Strong leadership with clear values alignment around inclusion and poverty relief
  • Capacity to scale or replicate their model
  • Long-term approach to systemic change
  • Focus on “hand up” rather than “hand out” approaches

Geographic Presence

  • Operating in Uganda, Zambia, or Mozambique for international work
  • Operating in Surrey, UK (given SATRO partnership) for UK-based education work
  • Working with SEND populations in the UK

Note: Building awareness through shared board members, sector events where trustees are active (construction, housing, education, international development), or through existing partner organisations may create potential pathways, but there is no guarantee of consideration and organisations should not expect to receive invitations.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process. Partnership decisions are made at trustee discretion on an ongoing basis as strategic opportunities arise.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no open application process means no published success rates.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organisations cannot apply unless specifically invited by the foundation.

Application Success Factors

For Organisations Seeking to Understand This Funder

While direct application is not possible, understanding what the Leo Lion Foundation values in partners can help organisations assess potential fit should an invitation ever arise:

Values Alignment is Paramount

The foundation emphasises that they “engage in long-term partnerships with carefully selected NGOs and Charities where their values align with the leadership.” Their core values include:

  • Believing that privilege comes with responsibility to help others
  • Focus on “hand up” rather than “hand out”
  • Using business as a force for social and economic prosperity
  • Addressing exclusion, disenfranchisement, disability, and poverty

Business Acumen and Sustainability

The foundation doesn't just provide funding - they “support these organisations with funding and broad business acumen.” They value:

  • Organisations with strong business models
  • Potential for sustainable, self-sufficient operations
  • Capacity to use business expertise effectively
  • Long-term strategic thinking

Demonstrated Impact in Priority Areas

Their partnerships consistently focus on:

  • Education (especially SEND and alternative provision)
  • Disability inclusion and services for disabled people
  • International development in Africa
  • Creating inclusive communities
  • Helping people generate sustainable income

Long-Term Partnership Approach

The foundation states they engage in “long-term partnerships” - they are not interested in short-term grants. Examples include:

  • PEAS partnership since 2009 (15+ years)
  • Habitat for Humanity partnership since 2008 (16+ years)
  • Undershaw established in 2016 (8+ years of ongoing support)

Geographic Focus

Strong preference for work in:

  • Uganda, Zambia, and Mozambique (international)
  • UK-based education and disability services
  • Developing world community development

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications: This foundation explicitly does not accept applications from organisations they have not invited. Do not submit proposals.
  • Invitation-only partnerships: The foundation identifies partners through trustee networks, sector connections, and strategic opportunities aligned with their values.
  • Business-oriented philanthropy: They seek partners who can use both funding and business expertise to create sustainable impact, not just recipients of grants.
  • Long-term commitment: Partnerships span many years (often 8-16+ years), indicating they seek deep, transformational relationships rather than project-based funding.
  • Values-driven selection: Alignment of organisational values with foundation leadership is explicitly stated as essential - this is about shared philosophy, not just shared mission.
  • Trustee connections matter: With trustees connected to Habitat for Humanity, Pathways Education, and construction/housing sectors, organisations in these networks may have higher visibility.
  • Geographic specificity: Strong focus on East/Southern Africa (Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique) and UK-based SEND services suggests new partnerships will likely fall within these parameters.

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References

All information compiled from the following sources:

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