The Anchor Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £352,169 (FY 2023-24 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2-3 months (from deadline to notification)
• Grant Range: £500 - £12,000 (typically under £5,000)
• Geographic Focus: UK and overseas
• Application Deadlines: 31 January and 31 July

Contact Details

Website: www.theanchorfoundation.org.uk

Email: secretary@theanchorfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 0115 950 0055

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7689, Perth PH2 1JX, Scotland, U.K.

Registered Office: Browne Jacobson LLP, Mowbray House, Nottingham NG1 7BJ

Note: Do not send applications to the registered office address - use the email or mailing address above.

Overview

The Anchor Foundation (Charity No. 1082485) was incorporated on 17 August 2000 and operates throughout England, Wales, and Scotland. The foundation exists to support Christian charities concerned with social inclusion, particularly through ministries of healing and the arts. In the financial year ending 31 March 2024, the foundation had total income of £226,979 and expenditure of £352,169, demonstrating their commitment to distributing funds to beneficiary charities. The foundation specifically targets Christian charities because, as they state, “they may find it harder, if not impossible, to obtain grants funding from secular grant givers.” The foundation does not employ staff and all trustees serve without remuneration, ensuring maximum funds reach beneficiary organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Anchor Foundation operates a single grant program with the following parameters:

• Grant Range: £500 - £12,000 (typically under £5,000)
• Grant Duration: Up to 3 years for the same project
• Application Method: Fixed deadlines (31 January and 31 July)
• Decisions Made: April and October trustee meetings
• Notification: End of May or end of November

Priority Areas

The foundation supports Christian charities working in:

• Arts: Supporting artists in challenging professional circumstances and creative programs addressing social issues
• Healing Ministries: Projects providing pastoral care, spiritual support, and holistic healing approaches
• Social Inclusion: Work addressing isolation, marginalization, and exclusion in communities

Recent funded projects include:

• Creative arts courses for women dealing with trauma (Create: New Beginnings Course)
• Support for refugees and asylum seekers (Edinburgh City Mission - Peaced Together courses)
• Day care for elderly widows in Bethlehem (Friends of the Holy Land - St Martha's House)
• Choir bursaries for talented children (Salisbury Cathedral Choral Foundation)
• Support for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery (Strength & Stem)
• Employability programs for vulnerable women (Bramber Bakehouse)

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (only registered charities eligible)
• Building work (except in exceptional circumstances)
• Organizations without equal opportunities policies on their boards
• Multiple applications (prefer single project applications)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Rev Robin Brian Anker-Petersen - Trustee
• The Reverend Canon Michael Simon Mitton - Trustee
• Nina Catherine Stewart - Trustee
• Sue Mayfield - Trustee (appointed 9 January 2014)

The foundation's governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association, which was amended by special resolutions dated 17 April 2001 and 1 November 2007. All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Read the Information for Applicants page on the foundation's website carefully
2. Complete the official application form (online preferred, but offline forms can be completed and emailed)
3. Submit by deadline: 31 January or 31 July
4. Email to: secretary@theanchorfoundation.org.uk

Important Application Requirements:

• Must be a UK registered charity
• Must request funds for a specific project (not general running costs)
• Must demonstrate equal opportunities policy on your board
• Incorrect, invalid, or incomplete applications will not be considered
• Shortlisted applicants will be asked for additional documentation

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadlines: 31 January and 31 July
• Trustee Meetings: Usually held in April and October
• Notification: Successful applicants contacted by end of May or end of November
• Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from submission to notification

Note: The foundation does not have resources to respond to all applicants. Unsuccessful applicants will not receive feedback or notification.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose application statistics or success rates. They cannot enter into communication about applications or provide feedback on unsuccessful submissions.

Reapplication Policy

• Between applications: Must wait 12 months before submitting another application
• After 3-year funding period: If a project has received funding for three consecutive years, you must wait 2 years before reapplying for that same project

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Christian ethos: The foundation specifically targets Christian charities. Your application should clearly articulate how your Christian values underpin your work.

1. Focus on the marginalized: Successful projects include work with refugees, trafficking survivors, isolated elderly people, and women in challenging circumstances. The foundation values work that reaches people on the edges of society.

1. Intersection of their three themes: The most compelling applications likely connect art, healing, and/or social inclusion. For example, "art-based courses with Christian values to support women's emotional and spiritual journey."

1. Specific project focus: The foundation states they prefer “single project applications” rather than general organizational funding. Be clear about what specific initiative you need funding for.

1. Equal opportunities commitment: The foundation explicitly states they prefer “charities with Boards demonstrating equal opportunities.” Ensure your governance demonstrates this commitment.

1. Realistic budget and timeline: With grants typically under £5,000, applications should demonstrate how modest funding will achieve meaningful impact.

1. Evidence of need: Funded projects address clear community needs - from “elderly widows in Bethlehem who are financially struggling, isolated and lonely” to women survivors of trafficking needing employment preparation.

1. Completeness and accuracy: The foundation will not consider “incorrect, invalid or incomplete applications.” Take time to ensure your submission is thorough and accurate.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Christian charities only: This is a niche funder specifically supporting Christian organizations that struggle to access secular funding. Your Christian foundation should be explicit.

• Small grants, big impact: With typical grants under £5,000, focus on targeted, achievable projects rather than large-scale programs.

• Two deadlines only: With just two application windows per year (31 January and 31 July), plan ahead and don't miss the deadline.

• No feedback culture: The foundation cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful applications or enter into correspondence. Submit your strongest application first time.

• Triple focus: Projects that combine arts, healing, and social inclusion may be particularly compelling given these are their three priority areas.

• Equal opportunities matter: Ensure your board demonstrates equal opportunities policies - this is explicitly stated as a preference.

• Be patient on reapplication: With a 12-month waiting period between applications (or 2 years after three consecutive years of funding), timing is important.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• BBC Children in Need
• The Grace Trust
• BENEFACT TRUST LIMITED
• JOHN LYON'S CHARITY
• The Westminster Foundation
• Young Westminster Foundation
• THE SCREWFIX FOUNDATION
• The Batchworth Trust
• THE STEEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• AXIS FOUNDATION
• The Howard Foundation
• The Archer Trust
• The Barleycorn Trust
• TRANSFORMING LIVES
• RELEASE INTERNATIONAL
• THE WELFARE ASSOCIATION
• SEEDS OF HOPE
• HELPING FAMILIES
• National Lottery

References

1. The Anchor Foundation official website - www.theanchorfoundation.org.uk
2. The Anchor Foundation Information for Applicants page - https://www.theanchorfoundation.org.uk/information/
3. The Anchor Foundation Vision page - https://www.theanchorfoundation.org.uk/vision
4. The Anchor Foundation Projects page - https://www.theanchorfoundation.org.uk/projects
5. UK Charity Commission Register - The Anchor Foundation (Charity No. 1082485) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1082485
6. UK Charity Commission Trustee Information - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3959018/trustees