Singer Foundation

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 277364
• Annual Giving: £108,287 (FY 2024)
• Annual Income: £129,774 (FY 2024)
• Grant Range: Average just under £4,000, typically less than £10,000
• Geographic Focus: England-wide, with preference for Birmingham-Bristol-Reading triangle
• Application Timing: Rolling basis - applications accepted at any time
• Decision Timeline: Trustees meet three times annually

Contact Details

Registered Address: 6 New Street, Deddington, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 0ST

Telephone: 07979 860136

Email: davidejones@me.com

Administrator: Mr D E Jones (Clerk/Administrator)

Website: No dedicated website

Charity Commission: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/277364

Overview

The Singer Foundation was established in 1960 by initial gifts from Richard Singer, a Bristol engineer who died in 1964, and his late wife Kathleen Singer, who died in 1976. Operating for over six decades, the Foundation is a grant-making trust focused on supporting “the enterprise of individuals” through UK registered charities. With an annual expenditure of approximately £108,287 (2024), the Foundation makes a limited number of grants each year to charities supporting individuals and groups in enterprise, employment, and training. The Foundation is governed by three trustees who meet three times annually and maintain a personal approach to grant-making, often visiting charities before making funding decisions. All income is derived from investments, and the Foundation operates without paid staff, ensuring maximum resources go directly to grant-making activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Singer Foundation operates a single, flexible grant program with the following characteristics:

• Grant Size: Averaging just under £4,000, with grants typically under £10,000
• Application Method: Rolling basis - applications accepted at any time via application form available on request
• Focus Areas: Enterprise development, employment support, and training initiatives

Priority Areas

The Foundation awards grants to UK registered charities that demonstrate:

1. Enterprise Support: Helping individuals develop enterprising skills and self-sufficiency
2. Employment Programs: Supporting people into employment and helping them contribute to others
3. Training Initiatives: Broadening skills, creating self-belief and confidence, and raising hope
4. Mentoring and Inspiration: Programs that inspire and mentor individuals to become self-sufficient
5. Knowledge Transfer: Projects enabling beneficiaries to help others with their knowledge and skills

Geographic Preference: While the Foundation will consider applications from across the UK, preference is given to charities operating within the Birmingham-Bristol-Reading triangle.

Organizational Characteristics: Strong preference for organizations demonstrating good governance and a proven track record of successfully supporting individuals.

What They Don't Fund

• Direct grants to individuals: The Foundation only makes grants to UK registered charities, not to individuals directly
• Non-UK organizations: Must be a UK registered charity

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (as of 2025)

• Also serves as trustee for Adderbury Music Trust, Adderbury Concerts Trust, and Coffee Concerts Trust

1. Roger Kenneth Carter - Trustee since 19 October 2007

1. Geoffrey Keith Taylor - Trustee since 19 October 2007

Administrative Structure

• Administrator/Clerk: Mr D E Jones
• Number of Trustees: 3
• Employees: None with benefits over £60,000
• Trustee Remuneration: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity

Banking and Professional Advisors

• Bankers: HSBC, 13 Chapel Street, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6ET
• Solicitors: Henmans Freeth LLP, 5000 Oxford Business Park South, Oxford, OX4 2BH
• Investment Manager: Brewin Dolphin

Foundation Philosophy

The Foundation's mission emphasizes making “a permanent difference to the lives of those supported” by working through well-managed UK registered charities that broaden skills, create self-belief, and enable beneficiaries to contribute to others.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Email: davidejones@me.com
• Telephone: 07979 860136

1. Submit at Any Time: Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year - no fixed deadlines

1. Prepare for Possible Visit: Trustees frequently decide to visit charities before making funding decisions

1. Demonstrate Track Record: Highlight your organization's good governance and proven success in supporting, inspiring, and mentoring individuals

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Three times annually
• Site Visits: Trustees may visit before making decisions, which can extend the timeline
• Processing Time: Varies depending on meeting schedule and whether a site visit is conducted

Reporting Requirements

• Major Grants: Formal reports required for significant awards
• Long-term Projects: Interim reports requested to monitor progress
• Ongoing Communication: Foundation maintains contact with funded charities to ensure appropriate use of funds

Success Rates

Success rate data not publicly available. However, the Foundation makes “a limited number of grants each year,” suggesting a selective but accessible process for charities that align well with their mission.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation welcomes “a wide range of appeals” and accepts applications at any time, suggesting unsuccessful applicants may reapply. No specific waiting period is documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated preferences and approach, successful applications are likely to demonstrate:

1. Strong Governance: Clear evidence of good organizational governance and management practices

1. Proven Track Record: Documented history of successfully supporting, inspiring, and mentoring individuals

1. Enterprise Focus: Programs that help individuals become “enterprising and self-sufficient” - not just providing services but enabling long-term capability

1. Individual Transformation: Projects focused on individual development rather than broad community initiatives

1. Skills and Self-Belief: Programs that broaden skills, create self-belief and confidence, and raise hope

1. Ripple Effect: Demonstrating how beneficiaries will be “able to contribute to others with their knowledge and skills”

1. Geographic Alignment: While not essential, location within the Birmingham-Bristol-Reading triangle is advantageous

1. Funding Level: Realistic budget requests averaging around £4,000, typically under £10,000

Known Funded Organizations

• acta Bristol (Elevate Programme): Supported training for community theatre practitioners and socially engaged artists working with specific communities, developing knowledge and practice in community-based theatre and arts over nine months

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Personal Touch Matters: With only three trustees who may visit your organization, this is a Foundation that values personal connection and understanding of your work - be prepared for site visits

• Think Individual Impact: The Foundation's roots are in supporting “the enterprise of individuals” - frame your work around how you transform individual lives, not just community outcomes

• Demonstrate Sustainability: Richard and Kathleen Singer wanted to make “a permanent difference” - show how your work creates lasting change and self-sufficiency, not dependency

• Good Governance is Essential: With limited grants made each year, the Foundation prioritizes well-managed organizations - ensure your governance credentials are clear and strong

• Rolling Applications Work in Your Favor: No deadline pressure means you can apply when your project is fully developed and your organization is ready

• Size Matters (Small is Good): With average grants under £4,000, this is ideal for smaller charities or specific project elements within larger organizations

• Geographic Sweet Spot: If you operate within the Birmingham-Bristol-Reading triangle, emphasize this alignment with the founders' connection to Bristol

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
• BBC Children in Need
• The London Community Foundation
• The National Foundation for Youth Music
• The Big Give Trust
• Backstage Trust
• The Rayne Foundation
• The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• The Nisbet Trust
• THE SIMON GIBSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Clare Milne Trust
• THE JOHN HORSEMAN TRUST
• THE DAVID FAMILY FOUNDATION
• P H Holt Foundation
• The Marchus Trust
• THE NORMAN FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST
• Schroder Charity Trust
• The Vernon Ellis Foundation
• National Lottery

References

1. UK Charity Commission - Singer Foundation Charity Overview (Charity Number 277364)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/277364

Accessed: January 2025

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council - The Singer Foundation

https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/86715

Accessed: January 2025

1. UK Charity Commission - Singer Foundation Trustees' Annual Report (Year Ended 5 April 2019)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/sector-data/top-10-charities

Accessed: January 2025

1. Charity Choice - Singer Foundation Profile

https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/singer-foundation-162320

Accessed: January 2025

1. acta Bristol - Funders Page (Elevate Programme)

https://acta-bristol.com/about-us/funders/

Accessed: January 2025

1. UK Charity Commission - Singer Foundation Trustee Information

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/277364/trustees

Accessed: January 2025