Science Museum Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Foundation's stated purpose is to raise funds for major projects that develop the museums of the Science Museum Group, alongside other work that supports its charitable objects, so a small nonprofit fits best if its work is in science and technology, public education, collection care or museum exhibitions.
- The annual report shows £3,500,000 paid in grants, but no typical grant size is stated, so a request should rest on a specific, costed project rather than an assumed amount.
- No application process is published, so the sensible first step is to use the contact shown for getting in touch and ask how to proceed before writing a full application, because the trustees make the final decision.
- Its registered area of operation is throughout England and Wales, but no geographic focus is stated, so location alone should not be read as a barrier.
- Neither the annual report nor its register entry sets out who should not apply, and the two grants described in its overview were both for large museum projects, which a grant seeker should weigh when shaping a request.
Overview
Science Museum Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1148691).
The Science Museum Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. It exists to raise funds for major capital projects that develop the museums within the Science Museum Group, and to support other projects that advance its charitable objectives, holding funds and receiving donations in anticipation of grant requests. In its annual report it shows £3,500,000 paid in grants. Two grants stand out in its reporting: £3,000,000 for the Science Museum Group's Science Education and Communications projects, and £500,000 for feasibility and design work on its SIM Wonderlab project.
What they fund
Profile based on the charity's Charity Commission register entry and annual report (year to 31 March 2025) only: no website or other web source for the charity was found. Every statement is checked against them. Sources read on 30 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Foundation makes grants to advance public knowledge and enjoyment of its collections and of science and technology, provide educational facilities, instruction and information, and support collection care, preservation, related research and exhibitions. Its primary goals are to raise funds for major projects to develop its museums, alongside other projects supporting its charitable objectives. It receives donations and holds funds in anticipation of grant requests. Grants may enable associated or unassociated organisations to undertake activities that advance exclusively charitable purposes. The trustees make the final decision on grant applications.
Themes
- Science and technology
- Public education
- Collection care and research
- Museum exhibitions
- Museum development
How to apply
No application process is published in the charity's annual report, its register entry or other pages about it. The contact shown is for getting in touch.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- The trustees make the final decision on grant applications.
Where they fund
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to Science Museum Foundation.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 March 2021 | £603,775 | £139,332 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2021 |
| year to 31 March 2022 | £294,574 | £60,212 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2022 |
| year to 31 March 2023 | £5,932,172 | £1,595,828 | £1,532,289 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2023 |
| year to 31 March 2024 | £931,453 | £8,430,417 | £8,250,000 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2024 |
| year to 31 March 2025 | £1,010,389 | £3,683,376 | £3,500,000 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2025 |
Income vs grants paid
IncomeGrants paid
Total value each financial year
In 2 of the 3 years shown, grants paid exceeded income.
- Grants paid, year to 31 March 2023; year to 31 March 2024: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
- Grants paid, year to 31 March 2025: grants paid out in the year.
— No grants figure for that year.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
- Annual report (year to 31 March 2025)
This profile rests on the charity’s filed accounts and register entry only, so check with the funder directly before applying.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to Science Museum Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- financeoperations@sciencemuseum.ac.uksource
- SCIENCE MUSEUM, EXHIBITION ROAD, LONDON, SW7 2DDsource
Applying to Science Museum Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- financeoperations@sciencemuseum.ac.uksource
- SCIENCE MUSEUM, EXHIBITION ROAD, LONDON, SW7 2DDsource