The Access Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £2,180,000 (2023-2024)
• Total Grants Awarded: 119 grants (2023-2024)
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £100,000
• Geographic Focus: UK and countries where The Access Group operates (Australia, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland)

Contact Details

Website: www.TheAccessGroupFoundation.com

Email: Office@TheAccessGroupFoundation.com

Phone: 0845 345 3300

Address: Armstrong Building, 10 Oakwood Drive, Loughborough, LE11 3QF

Overview

The Access Foundation (charity number 1194267) was established in 2021 following The Access Group's remarkable growth and success over the past decade. The foundation operates as a separate organisation governed by an independent board of trustees. In its 2023-2024 financial year, the foundation donated £2.18 million through 119 grants to charities and organisations. The foundation focuses on three primary funding pillars: bridging the digital divide, supporting Access Group Charities of the Year, and funding employee-nominated charities. The digital divide pillar received the most funding, with 47 grants totaling £865,000. The foundation has increased its grant-making budget by 20% year-on-year and introduced an ambassador team to improve staff awareness and engagement with the Staff-Sponsored Charities pillar.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Digital Divide Grants (Primary Focus)

• Amount: £25,000 - £100,000
• Description: Supports organisations mitigating the digital divide by making computing facilities, support, and/or learning available to disadvantaged and vulnerable people
• 2023 Impact: 47 grants totaling £865,000
• Application: Rolling basis (estimated 30-45 minutes to complete)

2. Access Group Charities of the Year

• Amount: £5,000 - £80,000 (depending on region size)
• Description: Funding for charities that have been selected or shortlisted as The Access Group charities of the year, past or present
• 2023 Impact: £1.1 million distributed
• Application: Must be current or past charity of the year

3. Staff-Sponsored Charities

• Amount: Typically £5,000 - £10,000
• Description: Organisations where Access Group staff members have a strong emotional connection (e.g., through support they or a close relative have received)
• 2023 Impact: 54 charities supported with grants between £5,000-£10,000
• Application: Requires staff member involvement in application process

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on digital exclusion affecting people with:

• Physical and mental health challenges
• Social exclusion issues
• Young and elderly populations
• Neurodiversity (autism and learning disabilities)
• Disadvantaged and vulnerable communities

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly listed, the foundation's focus is clearly on:

• Projects addressing digital divide (primary pillar)
• Charities connected to The Access Group through charity of the year partnerships or staff connections
• Projects expected to be completed within 12 months
• Registered charities, CICs (limited by guarantee), educational establishments, and CIOs

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (appointed 2021)

Robert Neil Parkinson (Chair) - Company founder with a passion for ensuring those who have been less fortunate have access to the same opportunities. Parkinson notes the foundation gives out “over 2 million worth of grants annually, spread across approximately 150 grants in multiple countries and currencies.”

Quote: “I have a passion for ensuring those who have been less fortunate than myself have access to the same opportunities I have had in life.”

Kevin Gregory Misselbrook - Former Customer Services Director with over 33 years in the software industry, 22 of which were with Access.

Ian Little - Former Finance Director who also serves as trustee for Hope Church, Ipswich, and Waymaker International.

Piers McLeish - Former Access Group Management Team Member

Claire Craig - Researcher in Digital Services

Manesh Patel - Retired Financial Executive

The trustees operate independently from The Access Group with full discretion over funding decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application: Available at theaccessgroupfoundation.com/apply/

Application Requirements:

• Estimated completion time: 30-45 minutes
• Applications can be saved and returned to within 30 days
• Must provide detailed information including:
• Organisation details and registration information
• Grant purpose and funding requirements
• Project measurement of outcomes (quantitative and qualitative)
• Budget and financial details
• Safeguarding policy (must be attached)

Grant Application Guidance Notes: Available for both Digital Divide category and Employee Nominated/Charity of the Year categories

Eligibility:

• Registered charities
• Community Interest Companies (limited by guarantee, excluding CICs limited by shares)
• Educational establishments
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)

Decision Timeline

No specific timeline is publicly stated. The foundation notes: “The decision to progress any application is at the sole discretion of the trustees and there is no obligation on the Foundation to provide a reason for decisions made in this regard.”

Applications are assessed on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

While specific success rate percentages are not published, the foundation awarded 119 grants from available applications in 2023-2024. The foundation appears to have expanded its reach year-on-year with a 20% increase in grant-making budget.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Given trustee discretion and lack of obligation to provide reasons for decisions, unsuccessful applicants should contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Indicators

1. Clear Connection to Digital Divide: The strongest funded projects demonstrate measurable impact on digital exclusion, particularly for:

• People lacking access to computing facilities
• Communities needing digital skills training
• Vulnerable groups requiring digital support services

2. Measurable Outcomes: Applications must clearly articulate both quantitative and qualitative measures of success. The foundation emphasizes making “a real and measurable impact.”

3. Regional and Demographic Focus: Projects addressing digital poverty among:

• Young people and elderly populations
• People with physical/mental health challenges
• Individuals with neurodiversity needs
• Socially excluded communities

Examples of Funded Projects

Digital Skills Training:

• Media Savvy: £38,500 for digital skills training to bridge the digital divide
• Social Square (UK): £20,250 for IT courses for young adults aged 16-25 (Frontend, Web-design, Data Analytics, Business)
• Future Female Society: Woman2Woman radio project teaching digital technology to women with English as a second language

Digital Infrastructure:

• St Francis Employability: £16,383 for computer resources, WiFi, Microsoft licenses in Coventry
• Brandles School: Music and film production facility
• Clifford Holroyde SEN School: Suite of desktop PCs and laptops

Community Digital Access:

• NEPHRA Good Neighbours: iPad classes, digital equipment advice, online appointment booking assistance
• Big League CIC: Community hub digital suite for those experiencing digital exclusion
• Berkshire Vision Project: Equipment and Tech Buddies for 300+ visually impaired adults

Youth Digital Inclusion:

• Centrepoint Partnership: Digital skills programme for homeless and disadvantaged young people in Northeast England for Essential Digital Skills Qualification (EDSQ)

Application Preparation Guidance

Before Applying:

• Have all information ready before starting (30-45 minutes completion time)
• Ensure safeguarding policy is current and ready to attach
• Prepare detailed budget breakdown
• Develop clear outcome measurement framework
• Plan for 12-month project completion timeline

During Application:

• Use the “save and return” feature if needed (valid for 30 days)
• Focus on demonstrable impact on digital divide
• Provide specific examples of who will benefit
• Include both quantitative targets and qualitative outcomes

Post-Application:

• Be prepared that trustees have full discretion
• No feedback obligation exists for unsuccessful applications
• Consider engaging with foundation through staff connections where applicable

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Primary Focus is Digital Divide: The strongest applications (47 of 119 grants, £865K of £2.18M) address digital exclusion through computing facilities, digital skills training, or technology access for disadvantaged groups.

1. Three Clear Pathways: Choose your application route carefully - Digital Divide (£25K-£100K), Charity of the Year (£5K-£80K), or Staff-Sponsored (£5K-£10K) - each has different criteria and funding levels.

1. Measurable Impact is Critical: The foundation repeatedly emphasizes “real and measurable impact” - develop robust outcome metrics before applying.

1. 12-Month Project Window: Projects are generally expected to be completed within 12 months, so focus on achievable, time-bound initiatives.

1. Trustee Discretion is Absolute: Decisions are made solely at trustee discretion with no obligation to provide reasons - ensure your application is comprehensive and compelling from the start.

1. Staff Connections Matter: If you have connections to Access Group employees who have been supported by your charity, leverage the Staff-Sponsored route with their involvement.

1. Growing Foundation: With 20% year-on-year budget increases and expansion from 2021 founding, this is a growing funder worth building a relationship with for digital inclusion projects.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Awards for All
• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• THE EVESON TRUST
• THE FEBRUARY FOUNDATION
• Bernard Sunley Foundation
• The Dyers' Company Charitable Trust
• The Kirby Laing Foundation
• THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION
• John James Bristol Foundation
• THE SIR JAMES RECKITT CHARITY
• P F Charitable Trust
• The Chalk Cliff Trust
• Sandra Charitable Trust
• The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• THE ROGER DE HAAN CHARITABLE TRUST
• PILKINGTON CHARITIES FUND
• The Swire Charitable Trust
• National Lottery
• JINGLE JAM

References

1. The Access Foundation Website - About Page. https://theaccessgroupfoundation.com/about/

1. The Access Foundation - Apply Page. https://theaccessgroupfoundation.com/apply/

1. Charity Commission Register - THE ACCESS FOUNDATION (1194267). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5176052

1. The Access Group (2024). “The Access Foundation donates £2.18m over last financial year, helping to address digital poverty.” https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/about/news/the-access-foundation-donates-218m-over-last-financial-year-helping-to-address-digital-poverty/

1. The Access Foundation Annual Report 2023. https://theaccessgroupfoundation.com/annual-reports/annual-report-2023/

1. The Access Foundation (2024). “Access Foundation Grants £52,500 to Support Social Exclusion Projects.” https://theaccessgroupfoundation.com/news/access-foundation-grants-52500-to-support-social-exclusion-projects/

1. The Access Foundation News. “The Access Foundation and Media Savvy drive positive change with new digital skills projects.” https://theaccessgroupfoundation.com/news/the-access-foundation-and-media-savvy-drive-positive-change-with-new-digital-skills-projects/

1. Support Staffordshire - The Access Foundation. https://supportstaffordshire.org.uk/the-access-foundation/

1. Devon Funding News - Access Foundation. https://www.devon.gov.uk/fundingnews/fund/access-foundation-2/