Mark Evison Foundation

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 1158382
• Annual Income: £90,837 (year ending 31 August 2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £113,457 (year ending 31 August 2024)
• Success Rate: Approximately 30% (based on 2017-18 data: 67 awards from 225 applications)
• Grant Range: £500 (standard awards) - £5,000 (major awards, usually to groups)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily London state schools (96 partner schools as of 2022), with some national awards
• Beneficiaries to Date: 3,566 young people across over 500 awards (as of 2026)

Contact Details

Website: www.markevisonfoundation.org

Email: info@markevisonfoundation.org

Phone:

• +44 (0)20 8693 2254
• +44 (0)7789 765 867

Address: 118 Court Lane, London, SE21 7EA, United Kingdom

Contact for Schools: Schools interested in becoming partners should contact the foundation at info@markevisonfoundation.org

Overview

The Mark Evison Foundation was established in 2014 in memory of Lieutenant Mark Evison, who died in 2009 while serving as a British army officer in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The foundation's mission is to promote the personal development of young people aged 16-25 through the undertaking of non-academic challenges. With an annual expenditure of approximately £113,000, the foundation has grown from supporting 14 schools in 2015 to 96 partner schools across London by 2022, primarily in areas with high indices of deprivation. The foundation provides both mentoring and financial support (up to £500 for individual awards, £5,000 for major group awards) for student-designed projects that push young people outside their comfort zones. In 2026, Executive Trustee Margaret Evison was awarded an OBE for services to Young People, recognizing the foundation's significant impact in supporting 3,566 young people through over 500 awards since inception.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

School Awards (£500 per award)

• Available to students aged 16-18 at 96 partner state-run schools in London
• Applications made through partner schools
• Foundation delivers Year 12 assemblies to encourage applications
• In 2017-18, delivered assemblies to over 7,500 students across 64 schools
• Supports both individual and group projects

Major Awards (up to £5,000)

• Usually awarded to groups
• Same eligibility criteria as standard school awards
• For more ambitious, larger-scale projects

Memorial School Awards (up to £500)

• Annual awards given at Dulwich College and Charterhouse (the two schools Mark Evison attended)
• Available to current students at these institutions

Australian Outback Award (all expenses paid)

• Open to young people aged 18-25 nationally
• Six-month opportunity to work as a jackaroo or jillaroo (working farm hand) on a sheep station in southern New South Wales, Australia
• Based at 'Mungadal' (part of Paraway Pastoral Co. Ltd), 145,000 acres on the Murrumbidgee River, 5km from Hay, NSW
• Includes airfares, funding for vehicle hire/purchase, and pocket money
• Separate application process - download application guide from website

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate:

• Personal Challenge: Projects must be genuinely challenging and well outside the applicant's comfort zone
• Self-Design: Projects must be created from scratch by the applicant(s), not pre-packaged experiences
• Non-Curricular Focus: Must be separate from academic work or coursework
• Character Development: Projects that build confidence, resilience, grit, innovation, integrity, and team support
• Personal Growth: Clear demonstration of how the project will develop the individual

Past funded projects have included:

• Physical challenges (hiking West Highland Way, Hadrian's Wall, cycling expeditions)
• Creative projects (film production, music EPs, art installations)
• Technical innovations (robotics, drone projects)
• Community engagement initiatives
• International expeditions

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

• Curricular or Academic Projects: Projects that form part of school coursework or academic requirements
• Commercial Ventures: Projects with commercial or profit-making purposes
• Pre-Packaged Experiences: Off-the-shelf trips or experiences offered by companies or charities
• Projects Within Comfort Zones: Activities the applicant is already comfortable with or experienced in
• Vocational Projects: Career-focused or professional development activities

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Mark Evison Foundation is governed by eight trustees:

• Margaret Evison - Executive Trustee (appointed 28 August 2014)
• Mark's mother and a consultant clinical psychologist with extensive NHS experience
• Recently awarded OBE in the King's 2026 New Year Honours for services to Young People
• Contact: 020 8693 2254 or 07789 765 867

• Elizabeth Evison - Trustee (appointed 28 August 2014)

• Dr Joseph Arthur Francis Spence - Trustee (appointed 28 August 2014)
• Also a trustee for Bryanston School Incorporated

• Ian Macauslan - Trustee (appointed 28 August 2014)

• David Harris - Trustee (appointed 01 September 2019)

• Georgina Elizabeth Speller - Trustee (appointed 19 March 2023)

• Amy Zambon - Trustee (appointed 09 July 2023)

• Lucien Mulberg - Trustee (appointed 09 July 2023)

The foundation operates with 4 volunteers and no paid employees earning over £60,000. No trustees receive remuneration or payments from the charity.

Leadership Philosophy

Margaret Evison's quote reflects the foundation's ethos: “This is a real honour and award for the whole team, but also for the thousands of students – 3,566, to be exact – who have pushed themselves through multiple difficulties to realise a dream.”

The foundation takes inspiration from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not go where the path may lead, instead go where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For School Awards:

• Applications are made exclusively through partner schools
• Schools not currently partnered should contact the foundation at info@markevisonfoundation.org to enquire about partnership
• The foundation delivers Year 12 assemblies at partner schools to introduce the program
• Follow-up sessions help students develop their project proposals
• Students present their projects at a final judging session

For Australian Outback Award:

• Download the application guide from the foundation's website
• Submit application directly to the foundation
• Contact info@markevisonfoundation.org for queries about the application process

Application Requirements

A strong application must include:

• Personal Details: Name, age, contact information
• Project Description: Detailed explanation of what you want to do
• Challenge Statement: Clear explanation of why this is personally challenging for you
• Specific Goals: What you aim to achieve and how you will develop personally
• Project Timeline: When and where the project will take place
• Motivation: Why you want to undertake this challenge
• Previous Experience: Relevant background (to establish why this is outside your comfort zone)
• Detailed Budget: Comprehensive cost breakdown including:
• Training costs
• Equipment
• Travel expenses
• Accommodation
• Insurance
• Other potential expenses
• Fundraising Plan: If your budget exceeds £500, detail how you will raise the remaining funds

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on an academic year cycle:

• Assemblies delivered in autumn term to Year 12 students
• Follow-up sessions and application development throughout the year
• Final judging sessions where students present their projects
• One former participant mentioned "November's judging day," suggesting decisions are made in the autumn/winter term
• Successful applicants receive mentoring support from the foundation throughout their project

Specific timelines may vary by school and program - contact your school coordinator or the foundation directly for details.

Success Rates

Based on 2017-18 data (the most recent comprehensive statistics available):

• 7,500+ students attended assemblies across 64 schools
• 1,600+ initial responses received
• 225 final applications submitted
• 67 awards granted (253 young people benefited as many projects were group-based)
• Success rate: approximately 30%

In more recent years (including during the pandemic), the foundation has awarded over 100 awards annually to over 300 students.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Students interested in reapplying after an unsuccessful application should discuss this with their school coordinator or contact the foundation directly at info@markevisonfoundation.org.

Application Success Factors

Key Criteria from the Foundation

1. Genuine Challenge: The project must genuinely push you outside your comfort zone. The foundation looks for evidence that this is a real personal challenge, not something you're already comfortable with.

1. Thorough Planning: Former participants note that “the application process is arduous and requires lot of effort and rigour.” Demonstrate comprehensive research and detailed planning.

1. Personal Ownership: Projects must be self-designed from scratch. The foundation wants to see your creativity and initiative, not a pre-packaged experience you found online.

1. Clear Personal Development Goals: Articulate specifically how this challenge will develop your confidence, resilience, and other personal qualities.

1. Realistic Budgeting: Provide detailed, realistic cost breakdowns. If your project costs more than £500, demonstrate how you'll raise the additional funds.

1. Strong Presentation Skills: The application process includes presenting your project to the foundation. Practice explaining your idea clearly and passionately.

Values the Foundation Seeks

The foundation was established in memory of Lt Mark Evison, whose character embodied:

• Grit and resilience
• Kindness
• Innovation
• Integrity
• Team support

Applications that demonstrate these values, or projects that will develop these qualities, align well with the foundation's mission.

Examples of Successful Projects

The foundation has funded diverse projects including:

• Multi-day hiking expeditions (West Highland Way, Hadrian's Wall)
• International cycling challenges
• Film and documentary production
• Music recording projects
• Technical and engineering innovations
• Community engagement initiatives
• Cross-country and international adventure challenges

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Vocational or Career-Focused Projects: The foundation specifically excludes these
• Academic or Curricular Projects: Must be non-curricular and separate from school work
• Commercial Ventures: Projects cannot have profit-making goals
• Insufficient Challenge: Projects that are clearly within your existing skillset or comfort zone
• Lack of Detail: Vague proposals without thorough planning and research
• Pre-Packaged Trips: Organized tours or experiences that don't require personal planning and creation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• School Partnership is Essential: For standard awards, your school must be a partner with the foundation. If not, encourage your school to contact the foundation to establish a partnership.

• Personal Challenge is Paramount: Every aspect of your application should emphasize why this project is personally challenging for you. Generic adventure tourism won't cut it - show what makes this YOUR challenge.

• Detail Demonstrates Commitment: The more thorough your planning, budgeting, and research, the more serious you appear. Former participants emphasize the application process is demanding - embrace this.

• Think Outside the Box, Then Plan It: The foundation values creativity and innovation in project design, but also expects rigorous planning and realistic execution strategies.

• Group Projects Can Access More Funding: If you're planning something ambitious, consider forming a team to access the major awards of up to £5,000.

• The Memorial Awards Offer Dedicated Opportunities: If you attend Dulwich College or Charterhouse, you have access to dedicated annual awards with less competition than the broader school awards.

• The Australian Award is a Life-Changing Opportunity: The six-month outback experience is fully funded and open nationally to 18-25 year olds - a unique opportunity inspired by Mark Evison's own transformative experience in Australia.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Jack Petchey Foundation
• Educational Opportunity Foundation
• James Marshall Foundation CIO
• The Aldgate and Allhallows Foundation
• Alpkit Foundation
• Gilchrist Educational Trust
• EDUFUND UK
• Rand's Educational Foundation
• The Lytham Schools Foundation
• THE LINDER FOUNDATION

References

• Mark Evison Foundation official website: www.markevisonfoundation.org
• UK Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 1158382: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5048616
• Mark Evison Foundation - Application Guidelines: https://www.markevisonfoundation.org/awards/guidelines/
• Mark Evison Foundation - The Foundation page: https://www.markevisonfoundation.org/the-foundation/
• Mark Evison Foundation - How to Apply: https://www.markevisonfoundation.org/awards/how-to-apply/
• Tobacco Livery profile: https://www.tobaccolivery.org/mark-evison-foundation.html
• Dulwich Society Journal, Spring 2022: https://www.dulwichsociety.com/the-journal/spring-2022/mark-evison-foundation
• 2026 New Year Honours List announcement (29 December 2025)