The Alice Ellen Cooper-dean Charitable Foundation

Charity Number: 273298

Annual Expenditure: £0.9M

Geographic Focus: Dorset, Hampshire, Ecuador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Nepal, Pakistan, Rwanda ... [4 more]

Stay updated on changes from The Alice Ellen Cooper-dean Charitable Foundation and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £930,000 (148 grants awarded)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (approximately 3 months rolling)
Grant Range: £2,000 - £10,000 (typical range, with some higher and lower)
Geographic Focus: Dorset and West Hampshire

Contact Details

Address:

Unity Chambers

34 High East Street

Dorchester, Dorset

DT1 1HA

Phone: 01305 251333

Email: cooperdean@edwardsandkeeping.co.uk

Contact for applications: Rupert J A Edwards (rupertedwards@edwardsandkeeping.co.uk)

Note: The Foundation does not have a website.

Overview

The Alice Ellen Cooper-Dean Charitable Foundation was established in 1977 following a gift from Miss Alice Ellen Cooper Dean and supplemented by a legacy following her death in 1994. Registered with the Charity Commission in 1978 (charity number 273298), the Foundation is administered through Edwards and Keeping solicitors in Dorchester. In its most recent reporting year (ending March 2024), the Foundation had total income of £1,556,362 and total expenditure of £1,664,310. The Foundation distributed £930,000 in grants to 148 charitable bodies in its latest year, compared to £1.2 million to 185 groups the previous year. The Foundation's mission focuses on relieving poverty, distress, and sickness, and advancing education, religion, and other charitable purposes that benefit communities in Dorset and West Hampshire. No trustees receive remuneration from the charity, and it has no trading subsidiaries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single grant program with applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year:

General Grants: £2,000 - £10,000 (typical range, with some grants awarded outside this range)
Applications accepted year-round
Decisions made quarterly at trustee meetings

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds registered charities working in the following areas:

Relief of poverty, distress, and sickness - Supporting vulnerable individuals and communities
Advancement of education - Educational programs and initiatives
Advancement of religion - Religious charitable activities
Other charitable purposes - Broader community benefit initiatives

Geographic Focus: Projects and services that benefit residents of Dorset and West Hampshire are strongly favoured, though the Foundation supports both local and national charities (including occasional overseas grants for education, poverty relief, and disaster response).

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly listed. The Foundation requires that all applicants must be registered charities with the Charity Commission or have equivalent charitable status.

Ready to write a winning application for The Alice Ellen Cooper-dean Charitable 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 administered through Edwards and Keeping solicitors in Dorchester. Rupert J A Edwards serves as the primary contact for applications.

Key Personnel:

Rupert J A Edwards - Administrator (Edwards and Keeping solicitors)

The Foundation operates with a board of trustees who meet four times a year to review applications. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all funds go directly to charitable purposes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Written applications only (no online portal)

Required Materials:

Summary of the proposed project
Project costings and budget breakdown
Organization's financial accounts
Details of other fundraising activities

Submission: Applications should be sent by post or email to:

Alice Ellen Cooper-Dean Charitable Foundation

Unity Chambers, 34 High East Street

Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1HA

Email: cooperdean@edwardsandkeeping.co.uk

Decision Timeline

Trustee Meetings: Four times per year (quarterly)
Application Deadline: At least 10 days before a trustee meeting to be considered at that meeting
Site Visits: Trustees may visit projects before making decisions
Notification: Not specified in available sources

Success Rates

The Foundation awarded 148 grants totaling £930,000 in the most recent year, down from 185 grants totaling £1.2 million the previous year. This represents an average grant of approximately £6,284. Success rate percentages are not publicly available as the Foundation does not publish total application numbers.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Organizations should contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors

Geographic Alignment: Applications for projects and services that benefit Dorset and West Hampshire residents are strongly favoured. While the Foundation supports national charities and occasionally makes overseas grants, local impact is prioritized.

Charitable Registration: Organizations must be registered with the Charity Commission or have equivalent charitable status.

Regular Support Pattern: The Foundation states it supports “local and national charities mainly on a regular basis,” suggesting they favour ongoing relationships with charities they trust.

Clear Project Proposals: Applications must include a clear project summary with detailed costings, demonstrating financial planning and transparency.

Financial Transparency: Submission of financial accounts and details of other fundraising activities shows the Foundation values understanding the applicant's overall financial health and diversified funding sources.

Site Visit Readiness: The Foundation may conduct site visits before making decisions, so organizations should be prepared to demonstrate their work firsthand.

Examples of Funded Organizations

Poole Communities Trust (supporting community initiatives including the Bourne Community Hub)

The Foundation has supported a wide range of charitable activities across education, poverty relief, healthcare, religion, and community development.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic focus is critical - Emphasize how your project directly benefits Dorset or West Hampshire communities. Local impact is strongly favoured over national or international projects.

Aim for the £2,000-£10,000 range - Most grants fall within this bracket, though outliers exist. Budget your project proposal accordingly.

Plan ahead for quarterly cycles - With only four trustee meetings per year and a 10-day advance deadline, timing your application is important. Contact the Foundation to confirm meeting dates.

Prepare comprehensive documentation - Include project summary, detailed costings, financial accounts, and information about other fundraising efforts. The Foundation values transparency and financial planning.

Build relationships for repeat funding - The Foundation favours supporting charities “on a regular basis,” suggesting successful applicants may receive ongoing support.

Be ready for a site visit - Trustees may visit your project before deciding. This demonstrates their hands-on approach and commitment to understanding the work they fund.

Keep it simple and written - There's no complex online portal or application form. A well-written letter or email with supporting documents is the preferred method.