St. James's Place Charitable Foundation

Charity Number: 1144606

Annual Expenditure: £7.6M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??7.63 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by programme level
  • Grant Range: ??1,000 - Multi-year awards (??100,000+)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (85%), with 15% supporting overseas charities
  • Charities Supported: 896 charities (2023)

Contact Details

Website: www.sjpfoundation.co.uk

Email: SJP.Foundation@sjp.co.uk

Phone: 01285 878037

Address: St James's Place House, 1 Tetbury Road, Cirencester, GL7 1FP

Overview

Established in 1992 by the founders of St. James's Place Wealth Management Group (Mike Wilson CBE, Sir Mark Weinberg and Lord Rothschild), the St. James's Place Charitable Foundation has raised and distributed over ??100 million to date. Now the third largest corporate foundation in the UK, the Foundation awarded ??7.63 million in grants in 2023 and pledged a further ??6.85 million in multi-year commitments. The Foundation uniquely combines financial support with hands-on volunteering from the SJP community, creating partnerships rather than simple grant relationships. In 2023, they supported 896 UK and overseas charities, with 79% of beneficiaries reporting “substantive or transformative change.” The Foundation won the 'Best Partnership with a National Children's Charity' award at The Better Society Awards 2020 for its work with Panathlon.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Local Office Allowance

Quick turnaround grants for smaller projects with greater flexibility for charities or projects that don't fit core programmes. CICs can receive up to ??1,000. As Head of Foundation Lisa Cousins notes, “Even ??2,500 or ??5,000 can be transformative for a small charity.”

Small Grants Programme

For UK registered charities with annual income under ??1,000,000 and reserves less than 50% of income. Covers direct delivery costs including salary and activity costs. Applications by invitation only through SJP community connections.

Major Grants Programme

For UK registered charities with annual income between ??1,000,000 and ??9,000,000. Provides funding for direct delivery costs, salary costs, and specific activity costs. Offers multi-year funding to support sustained service delivery. Applications by invitation only.

Priority Areas

Supporting Young People (Primary Focus)

Charities supporting disadvantaged and disabled young people under age 25, whether socially or economically disadvantaged or with mental/physical disabilities. The Foundation seeks projects promoting inclusion, accessibility, and life skills development.

Cancer Support

Organizations providing practical and emotional support to people with all types of cancer across the UK.

Mental Health

Mental health charities and services. The Foundation awarded ??420,000 to mental health charities in 2020.

Hospices

Both adult and children's hospices. The Foundation partners with Hospice UK for specialized programmes.

What They Don't Fund

  • NHS charities
  • Pilot programmes
  • Retrospective funding
  • Research projects
  • Events
  • Advertising
  • Holidays
  • Sponsorship
  • Charities raising funds on behalf of other charities
  • Charities with reserves over 50% of annual income
  • Activities primarily the responsibility of statutory agencies
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Andrew Humphries - Chair of Trustees
  • Malcolm Cooper-Smith - Long-standing trustee since 1992, former Chairman for 15 years, part of original SJP management team
  • Medwyn Edwards
  • Mark FitzPatrick
  • Alison Wright
  • Mike Harper
  • Matthew Fowler

All trustees serve without remuneration.

Foundation Team

  • Catherine Ind - Head of St. James's Place Charitable Foundation (formerly Lisa Cousins)
  • Martina Nertney - Grants Manager
  • Jennifer Gillstrap - Grants Officer
  • Carole Gray - Foundation Coordinator
  • Kate Smith - Foundation Administrator
  • Kym Rutterford - Fundraising Manager

Leadership Perspectives

Andrew Humphries, Chair: “We are honoured to work with so many incredible charities and are committed to facilitating real and impactful change to those in need.”

Catherine Ind, Head of Foundation (on Youth Zones): "It's a simple decision when you can see something that works and makes a positive difference in a time of real need for services for young people. We want to focus on charities that have a significant impact."

Lisa Cousins, Former Head (on application processes): "Quick application processes, clear criteria and avoiding unnecessary reporting ??? that's what fundraisers want... For us, it's not only about funding a programme but supporting charities on their journey ??? looking at their leadership, ambitions and resilience."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

All grant programmes operate by invitation only. Applications require a pre-existing connection or affiliation with a member of the St. James's Place community. Prospective applicants must refer their request through their SJP contact.

The Foundation offers three tiers:

  1. Local Office Allowance - Quick turnaround for smaller requests
  2. Mid-sized grants - Standard processing
  3. Multi-year main grants - Extended assessment for larger commitments

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by programme level. Local Office Allowance grants offer the quickest turnaround. Specific timeframes are not publicly disclosed but vary based on grant size and complexity.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation supported 896 charities in 2023, demonstrating broad reach across UK and international charities.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy is not publicly stated. The Foundation does provide multi-year funding and maintains long-term partnerships with charities, suggesting they value sustained relationships. For example, Panathlon has received core funding since 2008 with over ??2 million invested, and Acorns Hospice for Children received salary funding for an Outreach Nurse for three consecutive years.

Application Success Factors

Funder's Direct Advice

Lisa Cousins emphasizes: "It's about funding what's truly needed, not just following trends. Listening to our partners and focusing on sustainability and intentionality will be vital.“ She also notes that ”if something works, it doesn't need to be changed just to meet criteria."

Catherine Ind stresses the importance of demonstrable impact: “We want to focus on charities that have a significant impact” and look for organizations that are "purposeful... not just somewhere to go; they're about skills development."

Recently Funded Projects

Panathlon - Multi-year core funding since 2008 (??2 million+ total) for competitive sport opportunities for young people with disabilities and special educational needs. Partnership recognized with 'Best Partnership with a National Children's Charity' award (2020).

Street League - ??118,046 over three years supporting young people into employment through sport and education.

Jamie's Farm - Multi-year funding for therapeutic programmes centered around farming, family, and therapy for disadvantaged young people at risk of school exclusion.

Acorns Hospice for Children - Three consecutive years of salary funding for an Outreach Nurse position.

OnSide Youth Zones - Support for eight Youth Zones providing safe spaces, skills development, and life guidance for young people.

Mental Health Resource - ??2,500 grant for mental health training in the community.

International China Concern - ??10,000 for three wheelchairs for children.

Language and Terminology

The Foundation uses language emphasizing:

  • “Substantive or transformative change”
  • “Open access and fully inclusive”
  • “Direct delivery costs”
  • “Sustainable” and “intentional” funding
  • “Supporting charities on their journey”
  • “Leadership, ambitions and resilience”

Standing Out

Build SJP connections first: Access is entirely through the SJP community network. Cultivate relationships with St. James's Place advisors, staff, or partners.

Demonstrate sustainability: The Foundation values charities ready to grow sustainably and become attractive to other funders, not just those seeking one-off funding.

Show measurable impact: 79% of their beneficiaries reported substantive or transformative change???they want evidence of real difference.

Emphasize inclusivity: Projects must be “open access and fully inclusive, irrespective of race, faith or religion.”

Focus on organizational strength: They evaluate “leadership, ambitions and resilience,” not just the project itself.

Welcome volunteering opportunities: The Foundation values hands-on engagement from the SJP community alongside financial support.

Keep processes simple: The Foundation deliberately avoids excessive bureaucracy and reporting requirements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Access is relationship-based: All funding is by invitation only through SJP community connections. Network building is essential before applying.
  • The Foundation funds organizations, not just projects: They assess organizational leadership, ambition, resilience, and long-term sustainability alongside project merit.
  • Think long-term partnerships: Multi-year funding is available, and the Foundation has supported some charities for over a decade. Position your organization for sustained collaboration.
  • Size matters for programme selection: Annual income determines eligibility???under ??1 million for Small Grants, ??1-9 million for Major Grants.
  • Demonstrate transformation, not just activities: With 79% of beneficiaries reporting substantive change, show how your work creates lasting impact.
  • Embrace added value beyond funding: Be prepared to engage with SJP volunteers for skills-sharing, mock interviews, financial education, or hands-on support.
  • Reserves are scrutinized: Charities with reserves over 50% of annual income are ineligible. The Foundation targets organizations with genuine financial need.
  • Even small amounts matter: As leadership notes, ??2,500-??5,000 can be transformative for the right charity, so don't dismiss smaller grant tiers.

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