Levine Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £429,561 (Year ending April 2022)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only process)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Global (Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, South America, UK)

Contact Details

Website: www.levinefamilyfoundation.com

Email: info@levinefamilyfoundation.com

Phone: +44 7966653061

Grants Portal: levinefamilyfoundationgrants.smapply.io (invitation-only access)

Overview

The Levine Family Foundation (LFF) is a UK-registered charity (No. 1178749) established in June 2018 by founders Miranda and Ben Levine, making its first grants in April 2019. The foundation is a philanthropic organisation seeking to address the catastrophic stresses marine life currently faces, with the ambitious goal to “reverse the current spiralling trends which so threaten our oceans.” With an annual expenditure of approximately £430,000, LFF takes a strategic, partnership-based approach to ocean conservation, working collaboratively with scientists, conservationists, lawyers, policymakers, activists and other grant makers across multiple continents. The foundation operates with a lean structure, employing a Director of Funding and Grants Coordinator, while trustees donate their time without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Levine Family Foundation operates an invitation-only grant application process. Throughout each fiscal year, the foundation proactively researches and identifies individuals and organisations whose work closely aligns with LFF's priority focus areas. Only invited applicants may submit applications through their online portal.

Application Method: By invitation only - The trustees select a small number of individuals/organisations with whom to partner in grant funding rounds, and these invited organisations are sent relevant application forms.

Priority Areas

LFF focuses on ocean rehabilitation and conservation through five key intervention strategies:

• Advocacy and awareness raising: Public engagement and education about ocean health
• Legislation and policy change: Working with lawmakers and policymakers to strengthen ocean protection
• Habitat protection: Conserving critical marine ecosystems
• Fisheries management: Promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting vulnerable species
• Scientific research: Supporting evidence-based conservation approaches, including doctoral research programs

Geographic Focus

The foundation maintains a global remit with active grantmaking in:

• Africa
• Asia (including Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong)
• Central America
• Europe (EU and UK)
• South America

Note: Geographic focus areas have evolved; during 2020/21, LFF concentrated on Europe and Asia.

Current Partner Organizations

• African Leadership University (Africa)
• BLOOM (Global)
• Blue Alliance (Africa/Asia)
• ClientEarth (EU/UK)
• Mangrove Action Project (Africa)
• OceanCare (EU/Global)

What They Don't Fund

Given the invitation-only model and specialized focus, LFF does not fund:

• Unsolicited applications from any organization
• Projects outside marine/ocean conservation
• Work not aligned with their five key intervention strategies

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Miranda Levine (Founder/Trustee): A biology graduate and experienced diver who previously worked in media recruitment and spent seven years in Hong Kong. Miranda's passion for marine conservation drives the foundation's mission.

Ben Levine (Advisor): Holds degrees in economics and econometrics; former professional at Goldman Sachs and UBS; currently CEO of LMR Partners, specializing in quantitative trading. Provides strategic guidance to the foundation.

Emma Holyoake (Trustee): Ethical investor with a focus on environmental sustainability and humanitarian impact.

Sophia Leventis (Trustee): Brings over 13 years of experience in mentoring and restorative justice work, with expertise in human connection and support systems.

Staff

Melissa Spiteri (Director of Funding): Oversees day-to-day grant management with a conservation background and extensive NGO experience across homelessness, development, and environmental issues. All trustees are involved in grant application review, scoring, and decision-making alongside the Director of Funding.

Nina Levy (Grants Coordinator): Manages grant administration; previously worked at the University of Birmingham and National Lottery Community Fund.

Advisors

J. Charles Fox: Executive Director for Oceans 5 with 30 years of government, nonprofit, and philanthropic experience in ocean conservation.

Baroness Bryony Worthington: Over 20 years of environmental policy experience, particularly in climate change and energy; serves as lawmaker in the House of Lords.

Foundation Philosophy: As stated on their website, “The LFF offers a flexible and light-touch granting approach, which enables our funding to add value and make a difference to the programs we support.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Critical Note: The Levine Family Foundation operates an invitation-only application process. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Process:

1. The foundation conducts year-round research to identify potential partners
2. Trustees select a small number of individuals/organisations whose work aligns with LFF's priorities
3. Invited applicants receive application forms and access to the online portal
4. Applications are submitted through levinefamilyfoundationgrants.smapply.io

Pre-Application: Organizations cannot pre-apply or register interest. The foundation identifies and contacts potential grantees directly.

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines from invitation to decision are not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on an annual fiscal cycle (ending April 30) with grant rounds coordinated throughout the year.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. Given the invitation-only model where trustees pre-select aligned organizations, the conversion rate from invitation to award is likely higher than open-application processes. However, being invited does not guarantee funding.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful invited applicants is not publicly available. Organizations should clarify this directly with the foundation if invited to apply.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

Given the foundation's proactive identification model, organizations most likely to be invited demonstrate:

1. Clear alignment with intervention strategies: Work must directly address advocacy/awareness, policy change, habitat protection, fisheries management, or scientific research in marine conservation

1. Geographic presence in priority regions: Active operations in Africa, Asia, Central/South America, or Europe

1. Evidence of impact: Track record of achieving measurable conservation outcomes

1. Collaborative approach: Willingness to work with other stakeholders including scientists, policymakers, and activists

1. Systems-change orientation: The foundation seeks to “contribute to coordinated global action and the transition to positive systemic change” - demonstrating how your work contributes to broader transformation is crucial

Example Funded Work

• Doctoral research on sustainable fisheries: Supporting PhD research on protecting sharks, rays and skates in India (one of the top three elasmobranch fishing nations), with focus on addressing data gaps and assessing management measures

• Policy and legal interventions: Partnership with ClientEarth for environmental law and policy work in EU/UK

• Advocacy campaigns: Support for BLOOM's global campaigns on ocean issues

• Regional conservation: Blue Alliance's work across Africa and Asia

Standing Out

While you cannot apply unless invited, organizations can increase visibility by:

• Demonstrating expertise in one or more of the five intervention strategies
• Publishing research or impact reports that showcase evidence-based approaches
• Engaging in collaborative networks where LFF trustees and advisors are active (e.g., Oceans 5 network)
• Working on systemic change rather than isolated projects
• Showing flexibility and adaptability in program implementation

Foundation's Own Guidance

The foundation describes their approach as “flexible and light-touch granting,” suggesting they value:

• Organizations that don't require extensive bureaucratic oversight
• Partners who can adapt to changing conditions and opportunities
• Efficient use of funds without excessive reporting requirements

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only model means visibility is crucial: You cannot apply directly. Focus on building reputation in ocean conservation circles where LFF trustees and advisors are active.

• Alignment with the five intervention strategies is non-negotiable: Your work must clearly fit into advocacy/awareness, policy change, habitat protection, fisheries management, or scientific research.

• Think systems-change, not just projects: LFF seeks partners contributing to “positive systemic change” in ocean conservation, not isolated interventions.

• Geographic focus matters: Active operations in Africa, Asia, Central/South America, or Europe increase likelihood of invitation.

• Lean operations are valued: The “flexible and light-touch” philosophy suggests they prefer efficient partners who don't require heavy oversight.

• Collaborative mindset essential: The foundation emphasizes partnerships and coordinated global action; demonstrate your ability to work with diverse stakeholders.

• Quality over quantity: With annual giving around £430,000 spread across select partners, this is a small but strategic funder making carefully considered investments.

References

• Levine Family Foundation official website, “About” page: https://www.levinefamilyfoundation.com/about
• Levine Family Foundation official website, “Projects” page: https://www.levinefamilyfoundation.com/projects
• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities, Charity No. 1178749: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1178749&subid=0
• Levine Family Foundation Annual Report and Accounts, Year ended 30 April 2021, UK Charity Commission
• Levine Family Foundation Annual Report and Accounts, Year ended 30 April 2022, UK Charity Commission
• University of Oxford Department of Biology, “Levine Family Foundation supports graduate study in marine conservation at Oxford”: https://www.biology.ox.ac.uk/article/levine-family-foundation-supports-graduate-study-in-marine-conservation-at-oxford