Palle Moeller Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £262,957 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified (individual student sponsorships and organizational grants)
• Geographic Focus: Uganda (registered in UK/Jersey)

Contact Details

Registered Address: Les Marais House, La Rue A Don, Grouville, Jersey, JE3 9GB

Uganda Office: Plot 10, Old Port Bell Road, Uganda

Email: mark@dawsonjer.com

Phone: 01992 468536 (UK), 0393 216497 (Uganda)

Website: www.charitychoice.co.uk (note: direct foundation website not accessible)

Charity Number: 328535

Company Number: 02473092

Overview

The Palle Moeller Foundation was established in 1990 as a UK registered charity, though it began operating in Uganda in 1985. Named after its founder, Danish businessman Palle Moeller, who arrived in Uganda in 1959 and dedicated profits from his business ventures to assist disadvantaged Ugandans. The foundation operates as the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of General Machinery Limited (GMACH) Group of Companies.

With an annual expenditure of £262,957 (as of March 2024), the foundation provides grants to both organizations and individuals across Uganda. By 2001, the foundation had supported 254 students in the education sector across various districts, and continues to sponsor hundreds of students while conducting developmental work aimed at fighting poverty, particularly in rural areas. The foundation is governed by a committee of voluntary members who submit and select deserving cases for support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides support across multiple areas:

• Education Sponsorships: Student sponsorships for various levels of education including subjects such as agriculture, medicine, crafts, business, and liberal arts
• Social Welfare Grants: Support for Cheshire Homes, schools for the deaf, and children's homes
• Healthcare Support: Medical assistance and health promotion initiatives
• Sports Programs: Support for sporting activities
• Community Development: Economic development and employment initiatives

Priority Areas

• Education and training at all levels
• Relief of poverty
• Housing and accommodation for those in need
• Public health and healthcare provision
• Support for elderly people
• Support for children and young people
• Support for people with disabilities
• Economic and community development
• Relief for persons suffering from natural disasters or economic hardship

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation's focus is exclusively on Uganda-based projects and beneficiaries.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Mr. Palle Moeller - Founder (deceased 2019, lived in Uganda for 60 years)
• Mr. William Mark Dawson - Trustee and Company Director (appointed October 5, 2011)
• Mrs. Dorothy Moeller - Trustee and General Manager (appointed June 16, 2015)

Operational Structure

The foundation operates with 2 trustees and 6 volunteers. Day-to-day operations in Uganda are managed by a part-time assistant secretary and accounts assistant, overseen by a supervisory committee of volunteer Ugandans. No trustees receive remuneration, and the foundation has no employees earning over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Palle Moeller Foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through a committee-based selection process where voluntary members submit and select deserving cases for assistance.

The foundation appears to identify beneficiaries through its established networks in Uganda, particularly through its connection to the GMACH Group of Companies and its volunteer committee members who work directly with communities.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation operates through trustee discretion and established community networks in Uganda. While there is no formal public application process, the foundation has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to:

• Educational institutions serving disadvantaged students across various Ugandan districts
• Established social welfare organizations such as Cheshire Homes, schools for the deaf, and children's homes
• Community-identified individuals and families in need of educational or social support

Organizations already working in Uganda's education, healthcare, or social welfare sectors, particularly those serving disadvantaged populations in rural areas, may be considered through the foundation's existing volunteer committee network.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed as grants are awarded through committee discretion rather than formal application cycles.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available due to the invitation-based nature of the foundation's grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

While there is no formal application process, the foundation's documented grant-making history reveals clear priorities:

Focus on Educational Access: The foundation has a strong track record of supporting students pursuing education at various levels. By 2001, 254 students had been supported, with hundreds continuing to benefit from sponsorships.

Community-Based Approach: The foundation works “with communities in Uganda to promote excellence and human dignity,” suggesting that community integration and grassroots impact are valued.

Social Welfare Infrastructure: The foundation's support for Cheshire Homes, schools for the deaf, and children's homes indicates a commitment to established organizations serving vulnerable populations.

Poverty Alleviation Focus: The foundation's stated objective includes “helping fight poverty especially in rural areas,” making rural development and poverty relief central to their mission.

Sustainable Development: As the CSR arm of a business group (GMACH), the foundation appears to value initiatives that promote long-term economic and community development alongside immediate relief.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - This foundation operates through trustee discretion and established networks in Uganda rather than open applications
• Strong education focus - Documented history of student sponsorships across multiple districts and subjects
• Social welfare institutions - Track record of supporting established organizations like Cheshire Homes and schools for the deaf
• Uganda-specific - All work is focused on Uganda; the UK/Jersey registration is administrative
• Committee-driven - Volunteer committee members submit and select cases, suggesting networking with committee members or existing beneficiaries could be valuable
• Poverty and rural focus - Clear emphasis on fighting poverty, particularly in rural areas of Uganda
• Business connection - As the CSR arm of GMACH Group, the foundation may prioritize initiatives aligned with business community values and economic development

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales. (2024). PALLE MOELLER FOUNDATION - Charity Overview. Register of Charities. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=328535

• OpenCharities. PALLE MOELLER FOUNDATION - Charity Profile. http://opencharities.org/charities/328535

• Africa2Trust. About PALLE MOELLER FOUNDATON (Uganda). https://www.africa2trust.com/Member/?l=1&c=1&sid=20276&glx=0&CatID=4

• Companies House. PALLE MOELLER FOUNDATION - Company Officers. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02473092/officers

• Financial data from Charity Commission annual return for financial year ending March 31, 2024