The Allen Overy Shearman Sterling Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,242,180 (FY2024)
• Total Income: £2,039,971 (FY2024)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £150,000
• Geographic Focus: International (developing countries) and UK-focused programs
• Application Method: Rolling/annual rounds (currently closed)

Contact Details

Email: allenoveryfoundation@allenovery.com

Phone: 020 3088 0000

Website: https://www.aoshearman.com/en/about-us/social-impact/charity-support

Charity Number: 1153738

Company Number: 08636434

Regional Application Contacts:

• Belfast Grants: belfastgrants@allenovery.com

Overview

The Allen Overy Shearman Sterling Foundation (formerly Allen & Overy Foundation) was registered on 9 September 2013 as an independent charity funded by A&O Shearman partners worldwide. Following the 2024 merger between Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling, the foundation now operates under its current name. With total income of £2,039,971 and charitable expenditure of £1,242,180 in FY2024, the foundation distributes 25% of partners' contributions via a global grants programme to charities, social enterprises and community interest companies. The foundation focuses on access to justice, education and employment, as well as disaster relief efforts. Notable partnerships include a £500,000 five-year commitment to UNHCR and raising £1.2 million for Women for Women International (2023-2025 global charity partner), exceeding the initial target.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Global Grants Programme

• One-year grants: Up to £50,000
• Two-year grants: Up to £100,000
• Three-year grants: Up to £150,000
• Application method: Annual open grants round (currently closed, reopening late 2025)
• Additional support: Up to 100 hours of pro bono legal/professional skills volunteering
• Organizations can ring-fence 20% of grant for core funding (not necessarily related to the project funded)
• Requirement: Must be championed by an A&O Shearman staff member

London Grants Programme

• Grant range: Typically £5,000 - £10,000
• Application method: Annual round (reopening September 2025)
• Focus: England and Wales organizations

Belfast Grants Programme

• Grant range: Typically £5,000 - £10,000
• Application method: Annual round (reopening mid-2026)
• Focus: Northern Ireland organizations

Priority Areas

Access to Justice

• Legal aid and access to legal services
• Human rights advocacy
• Refugee and asylum support

Education and Employment

• Skills training and employment support
• Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) pupils (London programme)
• Educational access in developing countries

Geographic Focus

• Global Grants: Countries described as 'developing' in UNDP's Global Multidimensional Poverty Index
• Regional programmes: England, Wales, and Northern Ireland

What They Don't Fund

• Direct grants to individuals
• Projects outside of developing countries (Global Grants Programme)
• Organizations without an A&O Shearman champion/sponsor (Global Grants Programme)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (as of April 2024)

• Hilde van der Baan (Chair)
• Sean James Skiffington
• Frances Ruth Longley
• Chrisann Suzanne Jarrett MBE
• Mary Elaine Johnston
• Joanna Margaret Page
• Brendan Hannigan
• Angela Helen Clist
• Mark Jeremy Mansell
• Philip Mansfield

All trustees are current or former members of Allen & Overy LLP (now A&O Shearman). The foundation has no employees, with support services provided pro bono by A&O Shearman LLP. No trustees receive remuneration or expenses.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Global Grants Programme:

• Request an application form by contacting the foundation
• Must secure a champion from A&O Shearman to support the application
• Applications accepted for access to justice, education, and employment projects
• Currently closed; reopening late 2025

Belfast Grants Programme:

• Email belfastgrants@allenovery.com requesting an application form
• Outline how work meets criteria of increasing access to justice or advancement of education/employment

London Grants Programme:

• Applications reopening September 2025

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applications are reviewed through annual grant rounds with decisions communicated after each round closes.

Success Rates

In FY2024, five organizations received grants through the open Global Grants Programme: Action on Poverty, Christian Action Centre for Refugees, Consortium for Street Children, Equal Education Law Centre, and Planète Enfants & Développement. Additionally, 15 charities in Northern Ireland received funding totaling £136,328, a 54% increase from the previous year.

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

• One-year grant recipients: Can apply in the next funding round after the grant ends
• Two-year grant recipients: Must wait two years after the last year of the grant period before reapplying
• Three-year grant recipients: Must wait three years after the last year of the grant period before reapplying

Application Success Factors

Champion Requirement

The most critical factor for Global Grants Programme success is securing a champion from A&O Shearman. Charities must be "supported by a champion from A&O Shearman" to apply for the annual open grants round.

Recent Funded Projects

FY2024 Global Grant Recipients:

• Action on Poverty: Working to reduce poverty and inequality
• Christian Action Centre for Refugees: Supporting refugees and asylum seekers
• Consortium for Street Children: Protecting street-connected children's rights
• Equal Education Law Centre: Advancing educational rights through legal advocacy
• Planète Enfants & Développement: Supporting vulnerable children internationally

Northern Ireland Recipients (2024):

• NSPCC Northern Ireland: Funding for Speak out Stay safe programme, reaching 10,000 children aged 4-11 over three years
• Action Mental Health: Supporting EVOLVE and SPEER programmes for 35 young people recovering from mental ill health

Geographic Focus

Projects must be in areas of “considerable need,” particularly countries in the UNDP's Global Multidimensional Poverty Index for Global Grants.

Value-Added Support

Beyond financial support, successful applicants receive up to 100 hours of pro bono legal and professional skills volunteering, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to holistic support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Champion relationship is essential: For the Global Grants Programme, establishing a relationship with an A&O Shearman staff member who will champion your application is mandatory—start building these connections early
• Focus on the three pillars: Applications must clearly align with access to justice, education, or employment; the foundation consistently emphasizes these areas across all programmes
• Think multi-year: The foundation offers substantial three-year grants up to £150,000, allowing for long-term project planning and sustainability
• Request core funding: Organizations can ring-fence up to 20% of grants for core funding, providing valuable operational support
• Leverage pro bono support: Beyond funding, successful applicants receive up to 100 hours of professional support—highlight in applications how this could enhance project delivery
• Demonstrate need: Applications should clearly articulate working in areas of “considerable need,” particularly for Global Grants in developing countries
• Plan reapplication timing: Understand the waiting periods between grants (1-3 years depending on grant length) when planning long-term funding strategies

References

• A&O Shearman Charity Support page: https://www.aoshearman.com/en/about-us/social-impact/charity-support
• The Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 1153738: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/5040308/full-print
• Companies House, Company Number 08636434: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08636434
• A&O Shearman News: "A&O Shearman Foundation boosts funding for 15 charities in Northern Ireland": https://www.aoshearman.com/en/news/ao-shearman-foundation-boosts-funding-for-fifteen-charities-in-northern-ireland
• A&O Shearman: “Pioneering corporate leadership in global emergency response”: https://www.aoshearman.com/en/insights/ao-shearman-pioneering-corporate-leadership-in-global-emergency-response