Standard Chartered Foundation

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1184946
• Annual Giving: USD 18.4 million (2024 contribution to Futuremakers)
• Total Commitment: USD 120 million (2024-2030)
• Jobs Target: 140,000 jobs by 2030
• Geographic Focus: International (Asia, Africa, Middle East, Americas, Europe)
• Application Process: No public application process - invitation/partnership only

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.sc.com/en/sustainability/investing-in-communities/scfoundation/
• Email: zane.du-toit@SC.com
• Phone: 020 7885 6701
• Charity Registration: England and Wales (1184946)
• Company Registration: 11968592

Overview

Established in 2019 by Standard Chartered Bank, the Standard Chartered Foundation (SCF) is a UK-registered charity that tackles inequality by promoting greater economic inclusion for disadvantaged young people. As the lead delivery partner for Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, the Foundation works with diverse, innovative, and impactful NGOs to deliver programmes across the bank's global footprint in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Between 2024 and 2030, Futuremakers is committed to raising USD 120 million to help create and sustain 140,000 jobs for disadvantaged young entrepreneurs and job-seekers, predominantly women and people with disabilities. To date, the initiative has enabled almost 89,000 jobs and reached over 2.1 million young people globally. In 2024, Standard Chartered contributed USD 18.4 million to Futuremakers, including USD 2.2 million fundraised from employees and partners.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates primarily through its Futuremakers by Standard Chartered initiative, which includes:

• Women in Tech Accelerator: Over three years, 400 women entrepreneurs receive specialized training, catalytic funding, and access to a global network. The initiative provides more than 32 catalytic grants totalling almost USD 1.9 million, with more than USD 600,000 in grant funding distributed annually across markets. Available across 14 markets including Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, Uganda, and Zambia.

• Regional Entrepreneurship Programmes: Multi-year partnerships with established NGOs delivering employment and entrepreneurship support. Examples include USD 200,000 to the BEST by Futuremakers project in Poland, and USD 1 million to IRC for entrepreneurship projects in Sierra Leone and Cameroon.

• Youth Employment and Skills Programmes: Partnerships across Asia (Indonesia, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam), Africa, and other markets including Brazil, Poland, Turkey, the UK, and USA.

Application Method: Invitation only - the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Priority Areas

Target Beneficiaries:

• Disadvantaged young people (focus on under-35s)
• Young women and girls
• People with disabilities (particularly visual impairments)
• Young people from low-income households
• Refugees and displaced persons
• Young entrepreneurs and job-seekers

Thematic Focus:

• Employability (skills training, job placement)
• Entrepreneurship (business development, access to finance)
• Disability inclusion
• Gender equality and women's economic empowerment
• Financial inclusion and financial health
• Green and sustainable jobs

Geographic Priorities:

• Markets where Standard Chartered operates
• Strong focus on Asia, Africa, and Middle East
• Specific countries include: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, South Africa, Vietnam, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Poland, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, UK, USA

What They Don't Fund

While the Foundation does not publish a formal exclusions list, their narrow strategic focus means they do not fund:

• Projects unrelated to youth employment, employability, or entrepreneurship
• Programs not targeting disadvantaged young people
• Initiatives outside markets where Standard Chartered operates
• Organizations that do not align with their focus on economic inclusion
• General charitable causes outside their specific mission

Critical Note: The Foundation will not consider unsolicited grant applications.

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Tracey McDermott (Chair, appointed 29 April 2019) - Former Group Head of Conduct, Financial Crime & Compliance at Standard Chartered (January 2019 - December 2024); previously Group Head of Corporate, Public and Regulatory Affairs and former acting CEO of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

• Patrick Fook Yau Lee (Trustee, appointed 29 April 2025)
• Raymond Ang (Trustee, appointed 16 January 2025)
• Daniel James Hodge (Trustee, appointed 21 October 2024)
• Tanuj Kapilashrami (Trustee, appointed 04 September 2024)
• Bella Deborah Mary Bird (Trustee, appointed 04 September 2024)
• Marieta Mtawa (Trustee, appointed 17 March 2021)
• Mirza Iraj Ispahani (Trustee, appointed 30 April 2019)

Governance Structure: The Foundation is a wholly owned subsidiary undertaking of Standard Chartered Bank. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Standard Chartered Foundation will not consider unsolicited grant applications. Instead, the Foundation operates through a strategic partnership model where they identify and approach organizations to deliver their Futuremakers programmes.

Grants are awarded to selected NGO partners who deliver programmes aligned with the Foundation's mission and geographic footprint. The Foundation describes its partners as “trusted and experienced NGO and charity partners” who can “deliver programmes seamlessly and directly into the communities where they can have the greatest impact.”

Getting on Their Radar

While the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations can position themselves for potential partnership by:

Demonstrated Track Record: The Foundation works with “trusted and experienced” NGOs, indicating they select partners with proven capability in youth employment, entrepreneurship, or disability inclusion programmes. Known partners include Youth Business International, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Sightsavers, Plan International, VSO, FATE Foundation, Liverpool FC Foundation, Enactus, Village Capital, Akua Kuenyehia Foundation, Light for the World, Challenges Worldwide, and DeafTawk.

Geographic Alignment: Operating in Standard Chartered's markets (primarily Asia, Africa, Middle East) increases relevance for potential partnership.

Strategic Fit: Organizations delivering employability and entrepreneurship programmes for disadvantaged youth (particularly young women and people with disabilities) align with the Foundation's core mission.

Network Connections: Futuremakers is delivered “in partnership with the Standard Chartered Foundation, NGOs and business and client networks,” suggesting that connections through Standard Chartered's business network may create partnership opportunities.

Programme Co-delivery: Some partnerships involve collaboration with multiple organizations (e.g., Liverpool FC Foundation and Enactus together), suggesting consortium approaches may be considered.

Application Success Factors

Since the Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis without a public application process, the following factors appear critical for organizations seeking to become partners:

Partnership Characteristics Valued by the Foundation:

1. Proven Delivery Capability: All described partners are “trusted and experienced,” indicating the Foundation prioritizes organizations with demonstrated track records in youth economic empowerment programmes.

1. Strategic Alignment: Projects must focus on employability and/or entrepreneurship for disadvantaged young people, with particular emphasis on young women, girls, and people with disabilities.

1. Geographic Presence: Partners operate in markets where Standard Chartered has a banking presence, enabling leverage of the bank's networks and employee engagement.

1. Focus on Measurable Impact: The Foundation's commitment to enabling 140,000 jobs by 2030 demonstrates emphasis on quantifiable employment and business creation outcomes.

1. Cross-cutting Themes: All programmes emphasize “disability, gender and financial inclusion, and green and sustainable jobs,” suggesting successful partners integrate these dimensions.

1. Scale and Innovation: Partners are described as “diverse, innovative and impactful,” suggesting the Foundation values both creative approaches and ability to deliver at scale.

1. Collaborative Approach: Futuremakers “harnesses the skills and knowledge of colleagues” and involves “business and client networks,” indicating partners should be comfortable with multi-stakeholder collaboration including corporate volunteers.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application route: This Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - partnerships are by invitation only based on strategic fit with the Futuremakers initiative
• Established NGO partners only: The Foundation works with “trusted and experienced” organizations with proven track records in youth economic empowerment
• Specific beneficiary focus: Must serve disadvantaged young people (under 35), with particular emphasis on young women and people with disabilities
• Geographic constraints: Partnerships align with Standard Chartered Bank's operational markets, primarily in Asia, Africa, and Middle East
• Long-term programme funding: Examples show multi-year commitments (e.g., September 2024 to February 2028) rather than one-off grants
• Significant funding available: Individual partnerships range from USD 200,000 to USD 1 million+, with catalytic grants of USD 600,000+ distributed annually through some programmes
• Employment outcomes essential: The Foundation's 140,000 jobs target by 2030 indicates strong emphasis on measurable employment creation and business sustainability metrics

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Societe Generale UK Foundation
• Anglo American Foundation
• THE GSR FOUNDATION
• Halcrow Foundation
• The Breadsticks Foundation
• The Neon Foundation
• BELRON RONNIE LUBNER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• MARR-MUNNING TRUST
• The Ashmore Foundation
• The Carmela & Ronnie Pignatelli Foundation

References

• Standard Chartered Foundation official website: https://www.sc.com/en/about/investing-in-communities/scfoundation/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1184946
• Trustee Information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5140621/trustees
• Tracey McDermott profile: https://www.sc.com/en/about/investing-in-communities/scfoundation/tracey-mcdermott/
• IRC press release: https://www.rescue.org/announcement/irc-and-standard-chartered-foundation-improve-economic-inclusion-outcomes-over-800
• Youth Business International partnership: https://youthbusiness.org/blog/partner/standard-chartered-foundation/
• BEST by Futuremakers announcement: https://www.sc.com/pl-en/2023/10/10/best-by-futuremakers-project-will-continue-with-funding-from-standard-chartered-foundation/
• Women in Tech programme: https://www.sc.com/en/press-release/standard-chartered-boosts-investment-in-its-futuremakers-women-in-tech-programme-across-africa-the-middle-east-and-pakistan/
• Community Impact page: https://www.sc.com/en/about/investing-in-communities/
• Futuremakers Awards 2024: https://www.sc.com/de-en/2025/02/05/futuremakers-award-2024-honouring-the-next-generation-of-young-entrepreneurs/
• Rising Entrepreneurs programme: https://www.sc.com/pl-en/2025/04/09/rising-entrepreneurs-best-by-futuremakers-celebrates-winners-of-the-1st-acceleration-programme-with-financial-grants/