The Ashmore Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £394,618 (charitable spending, latest year)
• Total Giving Since 2008: Over £4 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (examples found: $32,589-$45,528)
• Geographic Focus: Colombia, India, Indonesia, Peru (Emerging Markets)

Contact Details

Website: www.ashmorefoundation.org

Email: info@ashmorefoundation.org

Phone: 020 3077 6000

Address: 61 Aldwych, London WC2B 4AE, United Kingdom

Note: Due to the volume of communication, the Foundation may be unable to respond to enquiries from organisations that are ineligible for support.

Overview

The Ashmore Foundation was established in January 2008 as the charitable arm of Ashmore Group plc, a specialist Emerging Markets investment manager based in London. The Foundation is funded solely by Ashmore employees globally and operates as an independent registered charity (1122351) and limited company (6444943). With total income of £980,318 in its latest financial year and charitable spending of £394,618, the Foundation seeks to tackle inequality and social injustice to make a positive and sustainable difference in emerging markets communities. Since inception, the Foundation has donated over £4 million to charitable causes. The Foundation's strategic approach involves establishing long-term relationships with high-impact local NGOs staffed by local people with requisite skills and commitment, focusing particularly on education, livelihoods, and social enterprise initiatives that support long-term self-development of the most vulnerable populations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Core Grant Making

• Focus: Education, livelihoods, skills training, and wellbeing
• Application method: Unsolicited applications and recommendations accepted
• No fixed deadlines or grant amounts publicly disclosed

2. Social Investments

• Focus: Program-related investments for organizations generating revenues through social impact activities
• Requirements: Working capital to grow and scale impact
• Examples: Root Capital (2016), Unltd Indonesia (2019)

3. Emergency Funding

• Focus: Response to natural disasters, refugee crises, health outbreaks, and conflicts in Emerging Markets
• Examples: COVID-19 support (2020), Lombok Earthquake (2018), Nepal Earthquake (2015), Ebola outbreak (2014)

Priority Areas

Education & Youth Development

• Bringing marginalized children and young people into mainstream education
• Improving quality of life and job prospects for youth
• Vocational training for disadvantaged young people
• Internship programs to increase post-education employability

Livelihoods & Social Enterprise

• Supporting social enterprise to benefit disadvantaged groups
• Building community knowledge, resources, and capacities for sustainable local enterprise
• Providing resources for independent dignified livelihoods
• Equipping people with skills and opportunities to become self-sufficient

Climate Change & Environment

• Projects aligned with Paris Agreement objectives and UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Forest preservation and conservation
• Alternative energy for agriculture (e.g., solar-powered irrigation)
• Initiatives that mitigate carbon whilst contributing to societal development

Health

• Improving health outcomes for vulnerable children

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not publish explicit exclusion criteria, but implicit restrictions include:

• Organizations outside priority countries (Colombia, India, Indonesia, Peru) - though emergency funding may extend to other Emerging Markets
• Organizations not registered as non-profit organizations
• Projects that do not demonstrate clear social need for disadvantaged and low-income groups
• Organizations without demonstrable track record or ability to measure results

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Governance and Leadership

Foundation Director: Esther Arthur

Board of Trustees (12 trustees total):

• Chair: Matthew Hill
• 10 Ashmore employees
• 1 Ashmore Group Non-executive Director
• 1 independent trustee

Current Trustees: Oscar Ardila, Jennifer Bingham, Elizabeth Brown, Andrew Brudenell, Patrick Cadell, James Carleton, Mark Coombs, Tim Jenkins, Nicole Olivares, Lydia Toisuta, Cemil Urganci

The Foundation employs 1 staff member and benefits from 10 volunteers. No trustees receive remuneration. The board is composed entirely of individuals connected to Ashmore Group, reflecting the Foundation's origins as the charitable arm of the investment firm.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation accepts both unsolicited applications and recommendations. There is no formal online application portal or published application form. Organizations interested in applying should contact the Foundation directly:

Contact: info@ashmorefoundation.org

The Foundation seeks organizations operating in emerging markets as registered non-profit organizations, with priority given to those in Colombia, India, Indonesia, and Peru.

Important Note: Due to the volume of communication, the Foundation may be unable to respond to enquiries from organizations that are ineligible for support.

Decision Timeline

The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific decision timelines or notification methods. Given the emphasis on long-term partnerships and thorough due diligence, applicants should expect the process to take several months.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation maintains a focused portfolio of partners, suggesting a selective approach.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Looks For:

The Foundation seeks organizations that meet a clearly defined social need for disadvantaged and low-income groups and show success in implementing interventions that make a positive change. Specific criteria include:

1. Innovation: Innovative approaches to addressing social challenges
2. Local Knowledge: Deep knowledge of the local context and culture
3. Community Engagement: Demonstrable involvement of and commitment to the community served
4. Track Record: A good track record of delivering results
5. Professionalism: Professional organizational structures and governance
6. Measurability: Ability to measure results and demonstrate impact
7. Cost-effectiveness: Efficient use of resources

Due Diligence Process:

The Foundation assesses:

• Governance structures
• Organizational structures
• Financial situation
• Registration documentation

Strategic Alignment:

Organizations that align with the Foundation's emphasis on enduring support that lasts long beyond a project's end are particularly well-positioned. The Foundation values partnerships that deliver resources people need to access independent dignified livelihoods and equip people with skills and opportunities to become self-sufficient.

Examples of Funded Organizations:

• Aangan Trust (India): Establishing child safety hubs in West Bengal, benefiting 3,200 children
• Lend-a-Hand India (LAHI): Education and skills development, vocational training, and internship programs
• Minga Peru: Radio programs for marginalized Amazon communities addressing unemployment and poverty
• IED-VITAL (Peru): Plaza Local virtual marketplace to boost producer livelihoods
• Unltd Indonesia: Incubation program for early-stage social enterprises
• Salva Terra (Colombia): Rural education centers providing skills for establishing orchards
• IDEP Foundation (Indonesia): Forest preservation project (Grant: $45,528, estimated to absorb 3,000+ tonnes CO2)
• PROGRESO (Peru): Solar-powered irrigation systems (Grant: $32,589, estimated to save 14.8 tonnes CO2)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is critical: Priority is given to organizations in Colombia, India, Indonesia, and Peru, reflecting Ashmore Group's investment presence in these markets
• Long-term partnership approach: The Foundation values establishing ongoing relationships rather than one-off grants
• Local expertise matters: Deep knowledge of local context and culture, with local staff, is highly valued
• Demonstrate sustainability: Show how your intervention will create lasting impact beyond the project's end
• Measure and communicate results: Ability to track and report on outcomes is essential
• Emphasize self-sufficiency: Projects that equip communities with skills and resources for independent livelihoods align with Foundation priorities
• Consider social investment: Organizations with revenue-generating models may be candidates for program-related investments rather than traditional grants
• Emergency funding available: The Foundation has a track record of responding to crises in Emerging Markets
• Climate alignment: Projects that address climate change while supporting societal development are increasingly prioritized, aligned with Paris Agreement and UN SDGs
• Ashmore employee engagement: The Foundation is supported by Ashmore employees who provide additional support through fundraising, mentoring, and expanding NGO contact networks

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Breadsticks Foundation
• THE GENESIS CHARITABLE TRUST (GenEM Foundation)
• THE JMCMRJ SORRELL FOUNDATION
• Anglo American Foundation
• James Percy Foundation
• Halcrow Foundation
• The Monsoon Accessorize Trust
• AKO Foundation
• T. & J. Meyer Family Foundation Limited
• BE GLOBAL FOUNDATION

References

• Ashmore Foundation official website: https://www.ashmorefoundation.org
• The Ashmore Foundation, UK Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 1122351: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1122351&subid=0
• Ashmore Foundation - About Us: https://www.ashmorefoundation.org/about-us
• Ashmore Foundation - Grants and Partners: https://www.ashmorefoundation.org/grants-and-partners
• Ashmore Foundation - Livelihoods, Skills training and Wellbeing: https://www.ashmorefoundation.org/livelihoods-skills-training-and-wellbeing
• Ashmore Foundation - Climate Change: https://www.ashmorefoundation.org/climate-change
• Ashmore Foundation - Emergency Funding: https://www.ashmorefoundation.org/emergency-funding
• Ashmore Foundation - Social Investments: https://www.ashmorefoundation.org/social-investments
• Ashmore Foundation - Contact Us: https://www.ashmorefoundation.org/contact-us
• Ashmore Group - Ashmore Foundation: https://www.ashmoregroup.com/en-gb/about-us/ashmore-foundation