Pink Ribbon Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £180,000 - £240,000 (estimated based on 30-40 grants at up to £6,000 each)
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: Approximately 6-8 weeks (applications close end of May, decisions announced mid-July)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £6,000 (higher amounts at discretion)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom-wide

Contact Details

Website: www.pinkribbonfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 01689 858877

Email: ENQUIRIES@PINKRIBBONFOUNDATION.ORG.UK

Address: Crofton House, 5 Morley Close, Orpington, Kent BR6 8JR

Overview

Founded in 2000, the Pink Ribbon Foundation is a grant-making trust dedicated to supporting UK charities working in the field of breast cancer. The Foundation has supported over 300 breast cancer charities since its inception, making it a significant long-term funder in this sector. Operating with minimal infrastructure and relying on three volunteer trustees, interested parties, and high-profile patrons, the Foundation maximizes the proportion of funds that reach beneficiary charities. The Foundation helps 30-40 good causes annually, with a particular focus on smaller organizations operating with limited financial resources. Chair of Trustees Jonathan Prince leads the organization, supported by patrons including Dame Joan Collins OBE, Jeff Banks CBE, and Anthea Turner. The Foundation's approach emphasizes practical projects that deliver tangible improvements to physical and mental health for individuals with or recovering from breast cancer.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Grant Programme: £1,000 - £6,000 (higher amounts may be awarded at the Foundation's discretion)

• Applications accepted once annually with a fixed deadline (end of May)
• Grants awarded in mid-July
• Successful applicants may allocate up to 15% of the total grant towards core expenses
• Projects should be deliverable within 12-18 months

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds practical projects and initiatives that:

• Provide skilled programmes of care for breast cancer patients and their families
• Offer complementary therapies for patients with or recovering from breast cancer
• Deliver counselling services for breast cancer patients and their families
• Support awareness programmes and early detection initiatives
• Provide lymphedema care and therapy sessions
• Fund specialist equipment for breast cancer care
• Support research into breast cancer treatment and detection
• Enable communication materials and awareness campaigns
• Fund nursing staff positions for breast cancer care

2025 Focus: Organizations with limited financial resources to deliver their services. The Foundation particularly welcomes applications from smaller charities operating on minimal budgets.

What They Don't Fund

• Long-term projects extending beyond 18 months
• Multiple applications from the same organization within a single year (only one application per organization per year accepted)
• Organizations that have breached grant terms within the previous three years

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Jonathan Prince

Structure: Three volunteer trustees with minimal paid staff

Patrons and Ambassadors: Dame Joan Collins OBE, Jeff Banks CBE, Anthea Turner, Lizzie Cundy, Patsy Palmer, Casey Batchelor, Nina Wadia, DJ Lisa Lashes, Sunetra Sarker, and Shaun D.

The Foundation operates on a lean model, with trustees describing their approach as focused on “maximizing the amount which goes to the charities that benefit from the funds raised.” This philosophy of keeping overheads low is central to the organization's identity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Method: Hard copy application only (download application form from website)
• Deadline: Applications must be received by 31st May annually
• Required Documents:
• Completed application form
• Most recent set of accounts
• Evaluation: Applications evaluated against strict criteria weighted according to annual giving principles

Important: Applicants are encouraged to submit applications well before the deadline “to make registration and evaluation easier.”

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: End of May
• Decision Announcement: Mid-July
• Timeframe: Approximately 6-8 weeks from deadline to decision
• Notification Method: Not specified in available materials

Success Rates

The Foundation helps 30-40 organizations annually from its application pool. Specific success rate percentages are not published. Since its founding in 2000, approximately 110 unique charities have benefited from grants, though some may have received multiple awards over the years.

Reapplication Policy

• Organizations may apply once per year
• Organizations that fail to fulfill grant terms are invalidated from applying for a three-year period
• No specific waiting period mentioned for unsuccessful applicants to reapply
• Organizations should contact the Foundation directly for clarification on reapplication after unsuccessful applications

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from the Foundation

On Funding Amounts: “Groups are advised to apply for the level of funding the project or project specifics require, rather than the maximum level of funding available.”

On Project Focus: The Foundation prefers applications for specific projects rather than “business as usual” or core costs, though acknowledges the necessity of core costs and may fund these if deemed vital to organizational continuity.

On Project Duration: “Projects funded by the Foundation are expected to last between 12 and 18 months, as long-term projects are generally not supported.”

On Reporting: “All applicants must be prepared to inform the Foundation of their projects progress at least twice in the year of the grant, unless it is to be used for a specific event then only one report is required.”

Examples of Funded Organizations and Projects

The Foundation has supported organizations including:

• Bosom Buddies UK
• The Haven
• Cancerkin
• Farleigh Hospice
• The Primrose Centre
• East Kent Breast Cancer Mammography Appeal

Special 25th Anniversary Grants (five £25,000 awards):

• The House of Hope Drop-in Centre (Edinburgh, Scotland) - drop-in center services
• Hull & East Riding Breast Friends (Yorkshire, England) - regional support
• The Primrose Centre (Kent, England) - comprehensive care services
• Hello Beautiful Foundation (Central London, England) - support services
• Star Throwers (Norfolk, England) - practical and emotional support, NHS partnerships

Project Types That Stand Out

• Counselling services with clear delivery plans
• Complementary therapy programmes with specific outcomes
• Awareness campaigns with measurable reach
• Specialist equipment purchases with defined impact
• Support services for chemotherapy patients
• Research projects with clear applications
• Capacity-building for smaller organizations

Language and Terminology

The Foundation emphasizes:

• “Practical projects and initiatives”
• “Good physical and mental health”
• “Limited financial resources”
• “Tangible impact”
• “Smaller organizations operating on a shoestring”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Think smaller and practical: The Foundation explicitly favors organizations with limited resources and practical projects over large initiatives. Don't ask for the maximum unless truly needed.

• Be specific about deliverables: Projects should have clear outcomes achievable within 12-18 months. Vague or open-ended proposals are less likely to succeed.

• Core costs are acceptable: Unlike many funders, the Foundation acknowledges that core costs matter and allows up to 15% for this purpose. Be honest about operational needs.

• Timing matters: Submit early rather than at the deadline to ease the evaluation process and demonstrate organizational competence.

• Plan for reporting: Build in capacity for progress reports twice annually. This demonstrates accountability and increases chances of future funding.

• Single annual opportunity: With only one application cycle per year, ensure your application is comprehensive and compelling. There's no second chance until the following year.

• Align with annual priorities: The Foundation's criteria change year to year (e.g., preference for smaller organizations one year, special projects another). Research current priorities before applying.

References

1. Pink Ribbon Foundation official website - www.pinkribbonfoundation.org.uk

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Pink Ribbon Foundation, Charity Number 1080839, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3971247

1. Richmond CVS - “FUNDING: Pink Ribbon Foundation - apply by 30 May 2025,” https://richmondcvs.org.uk/funding-pink-ribbon-foundation/

1. fundsforNGOs - "Pink Ribbon Foundation's Grant Programme in the UK," https://www2.fundsforngos.org/latest-funds-for-ngos/pink-ribbon-foundations-grant-programme-in-the-uk/

1. UK Fundraising - “Inside the success of the Pink Ribbon Foundation,” https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/05/08/inside-success-pink-ribbon-foundation/

1. Wellbeing Magazine - "Rediscovering Beauty and Strength: The Pink Ribbon Foundation's Journey of Empowerment," https://wellbeingmagazine.com/rediscovering-beauty-and-strength-the-pink-ribbon-foundations-journey-of-empowerment/

1. Supporting Communities - “The Pink Ribbon Foundation,” https://supportingcommunities.org/funding-news-1/2024/6/26/the-pink-ribbon-foundation

1. Action Together - “Pink Ribbon Foundation,” https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/pink-ribbon-foundation