The Alliss Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £160,247 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: £3,000 - £13,000 (per wheelchair)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom

Contact Details

Email: jackie@alliss-promotions.co.uk

Phone: 01428 607253

Website: www.theallissfoundation.org.uk

Charity Number: 1113745

Overview

The Alliss Foundation was established in 1974 when George Makey MBE contacted Peter Alliss to be the face of a charity dedicated to raising funds for powered wheelchairs. For over 50 years, the Foundation has provided well in excess of 1,000 powered wheelchairs for children with disabilities across the UK.

The Foundation specifically addresses a critical gap in state provision by purchasing powered wheelchairs “of a type and design that the state will not provide for children with disability and special needs.” With annual expenditure of £160,247 (2024), the charity operates with six trustees and no paid staff, ensuring maximum impact from donated funds. Each wheelchair is custom-built to meet the specific needs of individual children, with costs varying between £3,000 and £13,000 depending on the level of sophistication and customization required.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Powered Wheelchair Provision: £3,000 - £13,000 (direct provision of custom-designed powered wheelchairs for disabled children)
• Note: No public application process - contact directly to discuss needs

Priority Areas

• Custom-designed powered wheelchairs for children with severe mobility limitations
• Wheelchairs that provide independence not available through NHS provision
• Equipment specifically tailored to each child's individual needs and physical requirements
• Replacement wheelchairs as children grow and their needs change

What They Don't Fund

• Manual wheelchairs (focus is on powered wheelchairs)
• Adults (focus is exclusively on children)
• Wheelchairs available through standard NHS provision
• Funding outside the UK

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Governance and Leadership

The Alliss Foundation is governed by six trustees who receive no remuneration. The charity was founded in partnership with George Makey MBE and the late Peter Alliss, whose legacy continues to drive the Foundation's mission. Jackie Alliss serves as a key contact for the charity.

The Foundation operates with no paid employees, relying entirely on volunteer trustees and supporters to deliver its mission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The charity appears to identify beneficiaries through local connections to golf clubs and societies that fundraise for the charity, regional networks and community referrals, and possibly through healthcare professionals.

Families seeking support should contact the Foundation directly:

• Email: jackie@alliss-promotions.co.uk
• Phone: 01428 607253

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timeline is publicly available. Given the charity's annual expenditure and the cost of individual wheelchairs (£3,000-£13,000), they likely provide between 15-50 wheelchairs per year depending on specifications.

Success Rates

Not available

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation has provided replacement wheelchairs as children grow (e.g., Summer received a second wheelchair after her initial 2017 grant), suggesting ongoing relationships with beneficiaries.

Application Success Factors

While specific success factors are not documented, successful beneficiaries appear to demonstrate:

• Gap in State Provision: Children whose specific mobility needs exceed what is available through NHS wheelchair services
• Clear Impact on Quality of Life: Families emphasize transformational impact such as “opened up the world” for the child
• Comprehensive Need: Children with severe mobility limitations where a sophisticated powered wheelchair will provide significant independence
• Local or Regional Connection: The Foundation's fundraising model emphasizes providing chairs “for a child near their local area” of fundraising golf clubs and societies

Recent beneficiaries include Owen (life-changing powered wheelchair), Ella (lightweight folding chair enabling travel), and Lily (age 3, received £5,000 contribution toward £24,668 specialized wheelchair).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - direct contact with the Foundation is necessary
• Local connections matter - regional links between donors and beneficiaries are emphasized
• Focus on gap provision - emphasize how the wheelchair needed exceeds NHS provision
• Demonstrate transformational impact on child's independence and quality of life
• Be prepared for possible co-funding - Foundation may contribute partial funding
• Custom specifications are key - detailed requirements for the child's specific needs matter
• Long-term commitment - Foundation provides replacement wheelchairs as children grow

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Joseph Patrick Trust
• Tishie Yong Foundation for the Disabled
• Wheelwrights' Charity
• Variety, the Children's Charity
• Starburst Foundation
• REGAIN - The Trust for Sports Tetraplegics
• IAH CHARITY COMPANY LIMITED
• Dennis Wise In The Community
• MOTABILITY Foundation
• Yorkshire Children's Charity

References

• The Alliss Foundation official website: https://www.theallissfoundation.org.uk/
• Charity Commission register entry (charity number 1113745): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/
• Family testimonials and beneficiary information from Foundation communications (2024-2026)