Optigene Foundation
Charity Number: 1200710
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £140,155 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: Variable (applications reviewed by trustees)
- Grant Range: Not publicly specified
- Geographic Focus: England and Wales
Contact Details
- Website: https://funding.ludlowtrust.com
- Email: charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.com
- Phone: +441173138200
- Address: Ludlow Trust Co Ltd, Tower Wharf, Cheese Lane, Bristol, BS2 0JJ
Overview
The OptiGene Foundation (charity number 1200710) was registered on 18 October 2022 as a charitable trust operating throughout England and Wales. The foundation operates with “General Charitable Purposes” and is managed by Ludlow Trust Company Ltd alongside two individual trustees. With annual expenditure of £140,155 (as of September 2024) and income of £23,325, the foundation makes grants to charitable organizations across various sectors. The foundation is linked to OptiGene Limited, a UK molecular diagnostics company, and appears to support both educational initiatives and wider charitable causes. The foundation accepts applications through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway, a portal serving over 250 charitable trusts managed by Ludlow Trust Company.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The OptiGene Foundation operates with broad charitable purposes, allowing the trustees considerable discretion in grant-making decisions. Known funding includes:
- Educational Support: The OptiGene Foundation Engineering Bursary provides £15,000 over three years (£5,000 annually) to undergraduate engineering students at the University of Surrey from households earning less than £35,000
- Veterinary Education: One-off donations (up to £250 per student) supporting first and second-year BVMS students facing financial hardship at the University of Central Lancashire (total £3,500 donation)
- General Charitable Grants: Applications via the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway for various charitable purposes
Application Method: Applications accepted on a rolling basis through the online Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway at https://funding.ludlowtrust.com
Priority Areas
The foundation's charitable objects state it operates “for the public benefit to further such exclusively charitable purposes according to the laws of England and Wales in any part of the world as the trustees may in their absolute discretion think fit.”
Known funding interests include:
- Education and student support (particularly engineering and veterinary sciences)
- Supporting students from low-income households
- Widening participation in higher education
What They Don't Fund
Not publicly specified. As a general charitable purposes trust, the trustees have broad discretion in determining eligible causes.
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Governance and Leadership
Trustees (appointed 2022)
- Duncan Roy Clark (appointed 29 September 2022) - Also serves as Director of OptiGene Limited
- Michael Paul Andreou (appointed 29 September 2022) - Also serves as Director & Company Secretary of OptiGene Limited
- Ludlow Trust Company Ltd (appointed 28 September 2022) - Corporate trustee
The foundation maintains policies on complaints handling, financial reserves, risk management, serious incident reporting, and trustee conflicts of interest.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway at https://funding.ludlowtrust.com
The Gateway is an online platform connecting charities with over 250 charitable trusts managed by Ludlow Trust Company. Charities can:
- Submit a general application to be matched with relevant trusts
- Apply to specific trusts (including OptiGene Foundation)
- Upload supporting documents and details about their organization and funding needs
Who Can Apply: Registered and exempt charities in the UK. For organizations not registered with the Charity Commission, applications can be emailed to charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.com.
Application Requirements:
- Details of charitable purposes
- Specific project or program requiring funding
- Geographic focus and beneficiary groups
- Supporting documentation as requested
Cost: No cost to submit applications
Decision Timeline
Decision timelines are not publicly specified. Applications are reviewed by the trustees according to their standard decision-making process. Since the Gateway launched in September 2023, it has received nearly 8,000 applications across all 250+ trusts, with over £2.5 million in grants and donations facilitated.
Success Rates
Success rates are not publicly disclosed for the OptiGene Foundation or for Ludlow-managed trusts generally.
Reapplication Policy
Not publicly specified. Applicants should contact charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.com for guidance on reapplication.
Application Success Factors
Given the foundation's connection to OptiGene Limited (a molecular diagnostics company) and its demonstrated support for STEM education, applications should consider:
Alignment with Known Priorities:
- The foundation has funded engineering and veterinary science students, suggesting an interest in STEM fields and professional education
- Focus on supporting students from low-income households (household income under £35,000) and widening participation initiatives
- Small-scale, targeted interventions appear to be favored (bursaries of £250-£5,000 per student)
General Charitable Purposes Approach:
- The broad charitable objects mean trustees have wide discretion
- Applications from various charitable sectors may be considered
- Clear demonstration of public benefit is essential
Connection to Corporate Founder:
- The foundation's link to OptiGene Limited (molecular diagnostics) may indicate interest in science, technology, healthcare, or veterinary causes
- Educational initiatives that build future STEM talent may resonate with the foundation's origins
Using the Ludlow Gateway:
- Applications should clearly articulate the charitable purpose, beneficiaries, and geographic focus to facilitate matching
- The platform allows charities to be considered by multiple trusts, increasing visibility
- Complete, professional applications with supporting documentation strengthen submissions
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Broad Discretion: With “General Charitable Purposes,” the trustees have wide latitude in grant-making; clearly articulate how your work delivers public benefit under English and Welsh charity law
- STEM Education Focus: Demonstrated funding for engineering and veterinary students suggests interest in supporting STEM education and widening participation
- Low-Income Support: Previous grants targeted students from households earning under £35,000; emphasize support for economically disadvantaged beneficiaries
- Use the Gateway: Apply through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway (https://funding.ludlowtrust.com) where your application can be matched with relevant trusts
- Smaller Grants: Known grants range from £250-£5,000 per student; this may be a foundation that supports targeted, modest interventions rather than large institutional grants
- Professional Application: The Ludlow platform serves 250+ trusts and receives thousands of applications; ensure your submission is complete, professional, and clearly demonstrates impact
- Contact for Guidance: Non-registered charities or those with questions should contact charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.com directly
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References
- UK Charity Commission Register, “OPTIGENE FOUNDATION - 1200710,” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5206210/full-print
- Ludlow Trust Company, “The Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway,” https://www.ludlowtrust.com/insights/the-ludlow-funding-enquiry-gateway/
- University of Surrey, “The OptiGene Foundation Engineering Bursary,” https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries/optigene-foundation-engineering-bursary-2023
- OptiGene Limited, “Molecular diagnostics company gives boost to vet students,” https://www.optigene.co.uk/molecular-diagnostics-company-gives-boost/