Ovingdean Hall Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £281,138 (2023/24)
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: Quarterly review (March, June, September, December)
• Grant Range: Up to £1,500 (Small Grants Programme)
• Geographic Focus: National (UK)

Contact Details

• Website: www.ovingdeanhall.org.uk
• Email: info@ovingdeanhall.org.uk
• Phone: 01273 301929
• Mobile/Text: 07778 599939
• Address: Ovingdean Hall Foundation, 15 Great College Street, London SW1P 3RX (not suitable for visits)

Overview

Ovingdean Hall Foundation emerged from Ovingdean Hall School for Deaf Children, which closed in 2010 due to declining enrollment. Since July 2012, it has operated as a grant-making charity, maintaining the original charity registration number (1052478) and continuing the school's aims and ethos. With an annual expenditure of £281,138 (2023/24) and total income of £56,397, the foundation is described as a “small national charity and grantmaker supporting education projects for deaf children.” The foundation is managed by the Ewing Foundation, another charity supporting deaf children and professionals, and is supported by many individuals and trusts that supported the original school.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme

• Amount: Up to £1,500
• Eligibility: Charities and voluntary groups with annual income under £25,000
• Focus: Projects supporting deaf children and young people
• Application Method: Email short summary to info@ovingdeanhall.org.uk (rolling basis)

Note: The foundation has closed its main grants programme and is currently “focusing limited resources on existing partnerships.” They offer a limited small grants programme only.

Scholarship Programme

• Purpose: Scholarships for teachers training to become Teachers of Deaf Children
• Number: Up to 5 scholarships annually
• Application: Details available on request

Priority Areas

The foundation supports education projects for deaf children and young people in the following areas:

• Music and sensory rooms
• Specialist equipment
• Sports experiences and activities
• Theatre and drama experiences
• Support workers
• Spaces for living and learning
• Research
• Scholarships for teachers of deaf children

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations with annual income over £25,000 (for small grants)
• Projects not directly benefiting deaf children and young people
• General operating costs (emphasis on specific projects)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The foundation is governed by five trustees who meet quarterly (March, June, September, December) to review projects and assess new applications:

1. Hamish McAlpine - Chair
2. Pauline Hughes
3. Ian Johnson
4. Ted Moore - Active contributor to BATOD magazine, writing on topics including “Preparing for life beyond school” and “Communication for deaf children and young people”
5. Lindsey Rousseau

The foundation is managed by the Ewing Foundation, another charity supporting deaf children and professionals. No trustees receive remuneration, and the foundation has no employees with total benefits over £60,000.

Foundation Statement: “Ovingdean Hall Foundation is a tribute to the generations of staff, students, student families, donors and trustees who made Ovingdean Hall School such a special place to live and learn.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Small Grants Programme:

• Email a short summary of your project to info@ovingdeanhall.org.uk
• No specific application form required
• No fixed deadlines - rolling basis
• Clearly demonstrate how the project directly benefits deaf children and young people
• Show how a small grant can make significant impact
• Keep the summary concise

Important Note: The foundation no longer accepts applications to their main grants programme. They are “focusing limited resources on existing partnerships” and are selective about new grant recipients.

Scholarship Programme:

• Contact the foundation directly for application details

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet quarterly in March, June, September, and December to review projects and assess new applications
• Timing of decision depends on which quarterly meeting your application is considered at
• Email or phone contact available for inquiries: info@ovingdeanhall.org.uk or 01273 301929

Success Rates

Success rates are not published. The foundation notes they are “selective about new grant recipients” and focus on “existing partnerships.”

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Contact the foundation directly to discuss reapplication if previously unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

The foundation's website and materials provide the following guidance:

• Direct Benefit: Ensure your project directly benefits deaf children and young people - this is the foundation's core mission
• Significant Impact: Demonstrate how even a small grant (up to £1,500) can make meaningful difference to your project
• Size Matters: The small grants programme is specifically for organizations with annual income under £25,000
• Concise Communication: Keep your summary short and to the point when applying
• Educational Focus: Projects should relate to education broadly defined - including music, drama, sports, equipment, and support workers
• Existing Partnerships: The foundation prioritizes existing relationships, so building a relationship through a smaller grant may open doors for future support

The foundation has supported partnerships with organizations including National Deaf Children's Society, Doncaster Deaf Trust, Music and The Deaf, Go Live Theatre Projects, Panathlon, and SignHealth.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation has closed its main grants programme - only the small grants programme (up to £1,500) is currently open to new applicants
• Your organization must have annual income under £25,000 to be eligible for the small grants programme
• The foundation is highly selective and focuses on existing partnerships - be prepared for a competitive process
• Projects must have clear, direct benefit to deaf children and young people - this is non-negotiable
• Quarterly decision-making means timing matters - trustees meet in March, June, September, and December
• The foundation values its heritage as the former Ovingdean Hall School - demonstrating knowledge of their history and ethos may strengthen your application
• Consider applying for a small grant first to build relationship before seeking larger support in the future

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• Paul Hamlyn Foundation
• BBC Children in Need
• The Wolfson Foundation
• The London Community Foundation
• The Big Give Trust
• THE CALLEVA FOUNDATION
• The Wimbledon Foundation
• THE CHILDHOOD TRUST
• Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation
• THE JOHN HORSEMAN TRUST
• THE DAVID FAMILY FOUNDATION
• THE PETER STEBBINGS MEMORIAL CHARITY
• THE CHARLES SKEY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Patricia Routledge Foundation
• The Weinstock Fund
• THE BOSHIER-HINTON FOUNDATION
• THE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
• THE JOHN THAW FOUNDATION
• THE BARBARA WHATMORE CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• Ovingdean Hall Foundation official website: www.ovingdeanhall.org.uk
• Ovingdean Hall Foundation “Apply to Us” page: www.ovingdeanhall.org.uk/apply-to-us
• Ovingdean Hall Foundation “About Us” page: www.ovingdeanhall.org.uk/about-us
• Ovingdean Hall Foundation “Trustees” page: www.ovingdeanhall.org.uk/trustees
• Ovingdean Hall Foundation “Contact” page: www.ovingdeanhall.org.uk/contact
• Charity Commission Register: Ovingdean Hall Foundation (1052478) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1052478