Stelios Philanthropic Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £9.5 million (FY 2024)
• Annual Income: £17 million (primarily from easyGroup donations)
• Geographic Focus: UK, Greece, Cyprus, and Monaco
• Application Method: Fixed deadlines for entrepreneur awards; invitation/trustee discretion for charitable donations
• Total Donated Since 2010: Over £89 million (€107 million)

Contact Details

Website: www.stelios.org / www.stelios.foundation

Email: RSVP@STELIOS.COM

Phone: 020 8075 5044

Address: 34 Thurloe Square, South Kensington, London SW7 2SR

Program-Specific Contacts:

• Disabled Entrepreneurs enquiries: SteliosAward@leonardcheshire.org
• Disabled Entrepreneurs applications: maya.turnbull@stelios.com (Maya Turnbull, Event Coordinator)

Overview

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation was established by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyJet, and registered as UK Charity No. 1141206. In 2017, Sir Stelios signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate half his wealth to charitable causes during his lifetime. The foundation receives at least 51% of easyGroup Ltd's annual profits—£15.4 million in 2023—providing a steady revenue stream for philanthropic activities.

The foundation's mission is to support a diverse range of charitable activities primarily in places where the founder has lived and worked: the UK, Greece, Cyprus, and Monaco. With cumulative donations exceeding £89 million since 2010, the foundation focuses on three strategic pillars: education (scholarships to Sir Stelios's alma maters), entrepreneurship support (cash prizes to stimulate economic growth and job creation), and charitable donations to worthy causes including environmental projects, disaster relief, and social welfare programs.

Sir Stelios has stated: “I think all wealthy people have a debt to repay because it is thanks to their customers who bought their goods and/or services that they acquired their fortune.” This philosophy drives the foundation's commitment to giving back to society.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK

• Amount: £300,000 total for 2025 (increased from £200,000 in 2024)
• 1st Prize: £150,000
• 2nd Prize: £100,000
• 3rd Prize: £50,000
• Partnership: Run in conjunction with Leonard Cheshire
• History: Now in their 17th year
• Application Period: Fixed annual deadline (typically April-May)
• Method: Downloadable application form submitted via email

2. Stelios Young Entrepreneur Awards (UK)

• Amount: £300,000 total
• 1st Prize: £150,000
• 2nd Prize: £100,000
• 3rd Prize: £50,000
• Application Period: Fixed annual deadline (typically January-February/March)
• Method: Application form via website
• Note: Due to high response rates in 2025, the revenue requirement was increased mid-competition from £200,000 to £500,000 turnover

3. Educational Scholarships

• London School of Economics (LSE): Needs-based scholarships for UK, Greek, and Cypriot students on business-related undergraduate programs. Recent pledge of £255,000 supports 10 scholarships commencing Autumn 2025.
• Bayes Business School (formerly Cass, City University): Five scholarships worth £20,000 each (2024 intake), available for finance and entrepreneurship-related courses for UK and EU permanent residents. Since 2006, 146 Stelios Scholars have received over £1.5 million in total donations.
• Doukas High School, Athens: Scholarships for Greek students

4. Charitable Donations to UK Organizations

• Structure: Trustee-directed grants, no public application process
• Recent Examples:
• £640,000 to UNICEF UK for emergency response in Gaza (2024)
• £1 million to various COVID-19 related causes in the UK
• Support for environmental projects with WWF and Foundation of Prince Albert of Monaco
• Venue access: The foundation's Grade 2 listed building at 34 Thurloe Square is available free to other UK charities to host charitable events

Priority Areas

Primary Focus Areas:

• Entrepreneurship: Supporting job creation and economic growth through cash prizes for proven entrepreneurs
• Education: Scholarships to institutions where Sir Stelios was educated
• Disability Inclusion: Championing disabled entrepreneurs as role models
• Disaster Relief: Emergency funding in response to major disasters
• Environmental Conservation: Partnerships with established environmental charities
• Food Security: “Food from the Heart” program in Greece-Cyprus (serving 200,000 people monthly)

Geographic Priority: UK, Greece, Cyprus, and Monaco—places where the founder lived and worked

What They Don't Fund

• General grant applications from organizations (no open grant-making program)
• Organizations outside their geographic focus areas
• Projects unrelated to entrepreneurship, education, or their specified charitable priorities
• For-profit ventures (except through entrepreneur award competitions)

Ready to write a winning application for Stelios Philanthropic Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is structured as a UK company “limited by guarantee” with seven trustees who serve as directors. The trustees are supported by ten associate members, and the foundation employs five staff members.

Board of Trustees

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou - Founder and President

Founder of easyJet and the easy brand family. Signed the Giving Pledge in 2017. Sir Stelios stated: “One of the most rewarding and satisfying things about my business model is that it provides me with a steady revenue stream, and I use that stream to give back to society what it gave me.”

Peter Barton - UK Trustee

Oxford University alumnus with over 20 years as a corporate lawyer followed by 13 years as an investment banker. Former Deputy Chairman of Alliance & Leicester plc. Non-executive director of easyGroup Holdings Ltd.

David Watson - Trustee

Senior banking executive with experience at Citibank and Piraeus Bank, based in Athens. American and Greek citizen with MBA from US universities.

Donald Manasse - Trustee

Practicing lawyer based in Nice and Monaco. Tri-lingual with dual nationality, admitted to multiple bar associations.

Jean-Claude Eude - Trustee

Harvard Business School graduate with background in public finance (IMF, European Commission). Non-executive director of easyGroup Holdings and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Monaco.

Nikos Mourkogiannis - Trustee

Business consultant and author of “Purpose: The Starting Point of Great Companies.” Honorary professor at Bayes Business School.

Rena Rouvitha Panou - Trustee (joined 2022)

LSE and MIT graduate with extensive financial services experience. Former executive at Laiki Group and Cyprus Development Bank. Independent Non-Executive Director of Eurobank SA and Eurobank Holdings in Greece.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Entrepreneur Awards (Public Application Process):

Disabled Entrepreneurs Awards:

1. Applications open annually (typically early April)
2. Download application form from www.stelios.foundation
3. Email completed form to maya.turnbull@stelios.com
4. Deadline: Typically mid-May at 5pm (no late entries accepted)
5. Winners announced: Typically early June via Zoom

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be over 18 and operate in the UK only
• Meet Equality Act 2010 definition of disability (including long-term mental and physical health conditions)
• Own at least 50% of the applying company
• UK-registered for-profit company only
• Filed accounts with UK Companies House showing minimum £100,000 turnover in one year
• Active business online presence
• Past winners and applicants welcome to reapply

Young Entrepreneur Awards:

1. Applications open annually (typically early January)
2. Apply via application form on website
3. Deadline: Typically late February/March at 5pm
4. Shortlisted entrants face interview with Sir Stelios
5. Winners announced: Typically spring/early summer

Eligibility Requirements:

• Age 34 or under (born 1990 or later)
• Company registered at UK Companies House within last 5 years
• Own more than 50% of shares and be a director
• Minimum £200,000 annual revenue (note: this increased to £500,000 for 2025 due to high application volumes)
• Filed audited accounts with Companies House

For Charitable Donations:

The foundation does not have a public application process for charitable grants to organizations. Donations to charities are made at trustee discretion, typically focusing on:

• Organizations aligned with the founder's interests (environmental, disaster relief, social welfare)
• Established major charities (e.g., UNICEF, WWF)
• Strategic partnerships that further the foundation's mission

Decision Timeline

Entrepreneur Awards:

• Application review period: Approximately 4-6 weeks
• Shortlisting and interviews: 1-2 weeks
• Total time from application to decision: Approximately 2 months
• Winners receive immediate notification followed by public announcement

2025 Application Statistics:

• Young Entrepreneurs: 177 applications received
• Disabled Entrepreneurs: Application data for 2025 not yet published

Reapplication Policy

Entrepreneur Awards: Past winners and applicants are explicitly welcome to reapply. There are no restrictions or mandatory waiting periods between applications.

Application Success Factors

For Entrepreneur Awards

What the Foundation Values:

1. Proven Financial Performance: All awards require demonstrated turnover (£100,000-£500,000 minimum depending on program), evidenced by filed accounts at Companies House. The foundation rewards existing success rather than early-stage ventures.

1. Entrepreneurial Excellence and Job Creation: Sir Stelios emphasizes “rewarding entrepreneurial excellence” and hopes substantial cash prizes will create role models who “create jobs and wealth for themselves, their families, their staff and suppliers.”

• Cedric Bloch (Brigit's Bakery, 2024 Disabled Entrepreneurs 1st Prize): Continued growing his afternoon tea bus tour business after a 2021 bike crash left him paralysed from the chest down, demonstrating “unwavering determination and unbreakable spirit.”
• Amelia Peckham (Cool Crutches, 2024 Disabled Entrepreneurs 2nd Prize): Created innovative, customizable mobility aids after a quad bike accident at age 19 left her with a life-altering disability, aiming to “empower those with disabilities.”
• Debra Cartlidge (School of Sign Language, 2024 Disabled Entrepreneurs 3rd Prize): Deaf entrepreneur who overcame being told she “would never amount to anything” to build a successful business while raising a family.
• Bold Bean Co (2024 Young Entrepreneurs Winner): Founder leveraged chef background to create a sustainable protein alternative, achieving distribution in Waitrose, M&S, and Sainsbury's within one year.

1. Creativity, Drive, and Talent: The awards spotlight entrepreneurs who demonstrate innovation in their field and commitment to business growth.

1. Active Online Presence: Required for disabled entrepreneurs awards, demonstrating professional business operations and market engagement.

1. Meeting Technical Requirements: Applications must be complete, submitted on time (no late entries accepted), and include all required documentation including Companies House filed accounts.

Recent Success Rates

• 2025 Young Entrepreneurs: 177 applications for 3 prizes = approximately 1.7% success rate (highly competitive)
• Disabled Entrepreneurs: Success rate not publicly disclosed, but program has run successfully for 17 years with consistent prize distribution

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• For Entrepreneurs: The Stelios Foundation offers significant cash prizes (£50,000-£150,000) with no equity requirements or repayment obligations—true prizes for established entrepreneurs demonstrating measurable success.

• Revenue Requirements Are Serious: Minimum turnover thresholds (£100,000-£500,000) are strictly enforced and must be evidenced by Companies House filed accounts. The foundation increased requirements mid-cycle in 2025 due to high application volumes, demonstrating competitive demand.

• Storytelling Matters: All recent winners have compelling personal narratives of overcoming adversity while building successful businesses. Applications should highlight both business metrics and inspirational journey.

• No General Grant Program: Organizations seeking charitable donations should note the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Charitable grants are trustee-directed to established major charities and causes aligned with the founder's personal interests.

• Timing Is Critical: Both entrepreneur programs have fixed annual deadlines with no late entries accepted. Applications typically open in early January (young entrepreneurs) and early April (disabled entrepreneurs).

• Reapplication Is Encouraged: Past winners and applicants can reapply without restriction, suggesting the foundation values persistence and continued business growth.

• Scholarship Opportunities: Students at LSE or Bayes Business School should explore scholarship opportunities through their institutions, as the foundation provides substantial funding to both schools.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Swire Charitable Trust
• THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
• The Gosling Foundation Limited
• The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
• THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION
• The Wimbledon Foundation
• MOONDANCE FOUNDATION
• Swarovski Foundation
• The Constance Travis Charitable Trust
• THE MICHAEL BISHOP FOUNDATION
• Lloyd's Register Foundation
• The Band Aid Charitable Trust
• THE FORRESTER FAMILY TRUST
• RSM UK Foundation
• The Elizabeth and Prince Zaiger Trust
• THE WILLIAM ALLEN YOUNG CHARITABLE TRUST
• Wellcome Trust
• THE CASTANEA TRUST
• BRINGING HOPE
• THE HUGH SYMONS CHARITABLE TRUST

References

1. Stelios Philanthropic Foundation UK website - https://stelios.foundation/
2. Stelios Philanthropic Foundation Global Portal - https://stelios.org
3. UK Charity Commission Register, Charity No. 1141206 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1141206
4. Leonard Cheshire - Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs - https://www.leonardcheshire.org/get-support/employment-support/stelios-awards-disabled-entrepreneurs
5. “Sir Stelios announces winners of the 16th year of the Disabled Entrepreneur Awards” - Stelios Foundation News, July 2024
6. “Stelios launches young entrepreneur awards 2025” - Stelios.org News, January 2025
7. “A total of 177 applications received for the 2025 Stelios Foundation UK Young Entrepreneur Awards” - Stelios Foundation News, February 2025
8. The Giving Pledge - Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou - https://www.givingpledge.org/pledger/sir-stelios-haji-ioannou/
9. “The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation donates £640,000 to UNICEF” - UNICEF UK Press Release, 2024
10. Bayes Business School Stelios Scholarships - https://www.bayes.city.ac.uk/study/masters/funding-your-study/scholarships/stelios-scholarships
11. LSE Stelios Scholarships - https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/fees-and-funding/LSE-Stelios-Scholarships
12. “Sir Stelios: over €100m donated to his charitable foundations since 2010” - Monaco Tribune, December 2024