The Astor Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £99,500 (71 grants in 2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 4-8 weeks post-deadline
• Grant Range: £500 - £2,500
• Geographic Focus: UK charities (working UK/overseas)

Contact Details

Website: www.astorfoundation.co.uk

Email: astor.foundation@gmail.com

Phone: 07957 954507

Secretary: Miss B Doyle

Postal: PO BOX 168, Bideford, EX39 6WB

Overview

The Astor Foundation is a UK registered charity (No. 225708) established in 1962, focusing primarily on medical research “in its widest sense” with preference for assistance with launching and initial stages of new projects and filling shortfalls. Beyond medical research, the Foundation supports children and youth groups, disabled individuals, countryside initiatives, arts, sport, carers groups, and animal welfare. With total income of £135,766 and expenditure of £115,226 in 2023-24, the Foundation maintains a steady grant-making program, awarding 71 grants totaling £99,500. The Foundation takes a broad approach to medical research rather than specializing in particular fields and demonstrates particular interest in supporting start-up and initial project stages.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Small Grants: £500 - £2,500 (occasionally higher)
• Application via online form with fixed deadlines twice annually
• Review meetings in April and October

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Medical research on broad front (not specialized fields)
• General medical equipment/research equipment
• Start-up and initial stages of new projects
• Filling gaps/shortfalls in project funding

Additional Areas:

• Children and youth groups
• Disabled support
• Countryside initiatives
• Arts and sport
• Carers groups
• Animal welfare
• Education and community cohesion
• Mental and physical health

What They Don't Fund

• Salaries
• Non-UK registered charities
• Highly specialized medical research fields

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Governance and Leadership

Governed by 6 trustees (unpaid), including medical professionals:

• Charles Astor (Chairman, from 2020)
• Dr Howard Swanton MA, MD, FRCP, FESC, FACC
• Professor Sir John Cunningham DM, FRCP, KCVO
• Lord Latymer
• The Hon Tania Astor (from 2008)
• Thomas Michael Peter Catchpole (from 2022)

The medical expertise of trustees reflects the Foundation's primary focus on medical research.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Submit online form at www.astorfoundation.co.uk including:

• Written application to secretary
• Accounts (required)
• Annual report if available

Decision Timeline

Application Deadlines:

• 28 February for April meeting
• 31 August for October meeting

Decisions typically within 4-8 weeks after meetings.

Success Rates

• 71 grants awarded in 2023-24
• Average grant: £1,400
• Application numbers not published

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented - contact foundation directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

• Project Stage: Explicitly prefer “launching/initial stages of new projects and filling shortfalls”
• Medical Research: Favor “broad front rather than specialized fields” approach
• Impact Demonstration: Clear benefit to priority areas (youth, disabled, countryside, arts, carers, animals)
• Financial Transparency: Must include accounts and annual reports
• Realistic Budget: Demonstrate meaningful impact with £500-£2,500 funding
• No Salaries: Focus on equipment, project costs, non-salary expenses

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Fixed deadlines only: Plan for February 28 or August 31 submissions - no rolling applications
• Start-up emphasis: Highlight if seeking initial funding or gap-filling support
• Broad medical focus: Avoid ultra-specialized medical research proposals
• Small but strategic: Articulate precise impact of modest funding amount
• Strong financials: Submit comprehensive accounts demonstrating organizational stability
• Consistent program: 71 grants annually shows predictable, active grant-making
• Online submission required: Use website form for both deadline periods

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• The Carmela & Ronnie Pignatelli Foundation
• The C T Thomas Trust
• Elifar Foundation Limited
• Lady Gould's Charity
• THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION
• THE G D HERBERT CHARITABLE TRUST
• Personal Best Foundation
• The George A Moore Foundation
• The Green Hall Foundation

References

• UK Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=225708&subid=0
• The Astor Foundation website: https://sites.google.com/view/astorfoundation/home
• Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum: https://cornwallvsf.org/supporting/funding/the-astor-foundation/
• Making Music: https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/funding-opportunity/the-astor-foundation
• PAVO: https://www.pavo.org.uk/news/the-astor-foundation/
• SAPCA: https://sapca.org.uk/funding-opportunities/the-astor-foundation/
• Charity Choice: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-astor-foundation-158688
• Giving is Great: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=225708

Information