The Astra Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £895,733 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Variable - from small grants to £395,000+ for major projects
• Geographic Focus: Predominantly UK and France, with some support for Africa
• Application Method: Invitation only - not accepting unsolicited proposals

Contact Details

• Website: astrafoundation.co.uk
• Email: info@astrafoundation.co.uk
• Phone: 020 3981 6109
• Address: 4th Floor, Silverstream House, 45 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6EB
• Charity Number: 1196829
• Company Number: 13052579

Overview

The Astra Foundation is a UK-based family foundation registered as a charitable company in November 2021. In its 2024 financial year, the foundation had a total income of £1,203,434 (all from donations and legacies) and charitable expenditure of £895,733. The foundation operates with one employee and three trustees who receive no remuneration. Its mission focuses on three core areas: combating loneliness and isolation among young adults, empowering youth to reach their potential regardless of their circumstances, and reducing plastic pollution. The foundation takes a strategic approach to grant-making, working predominantly in the UK and France, with additional activity in Zambia. Notable recent partnerships include match-funding collaborations with the Co-op Foundation, contributing almost £750,000 over three years to support youth organizations tackling loneliness.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Astra Foundation operates through trustee-directed grant-making rather than open application programs. Recent grant sizes vary significantly, from smaller organizational support grants to major multi-year commitments:

• Multi-year partnership grants: £250,000+ (three-year commitments to organizations like UK Youth, Youth Focus: North East, and Depaul UK)
• Match-funding initiatives: £300,000 (partnership with Co-op Foundation for Depaul's National Schools Programme)
• Major institutional grants: £395,000 (Voltaire Foundation at Oxford University for digital humanities research)
• Core organizational support: Variable amounts to support ongoing programs of aligned organizations

All grants are awarded by trustee discretion. The foundation does not operate fixed grant rounds or application deadlines.

Priority Areas

1. Combating Loneliness and Isolation Among Young Adults

Theory of Change: “By strengthening the knowledge base around how to address loneliness and isolation and supporting best in class interventions, the Foundation can act as a catalyst to improve support for young adults.”

Current grantees include:

• Jo Cox Foundation (convening organizations and advocating for sustained momentum on loneliness)
• Warm Welcome Campaign (supporting community connection)
• Unite Foundation (supporting estranged and care-experienced university students)
• Fédération Française pour les Liens Sociaux (convening stakeholders interested in loneliness in France)
• Association Astrée (preventing isolation and exclusion in middle school)
• Association Aïda
• La Maison de la Conversation

2. Youth Empowerment

Theory of Change: “Preparing young people for the challenges they will face is key to enhancing their success in reaching their full potential.”

The foundation focuses on programs that use innovative and proven strategies, particularly those deploying sports and the arts to give youth the life skills, vocational training, and confidence they need to succeed.

Current grantees include:

• London Screen Academy (breaking barriers in the film and TV industry)
• Street League (supporting young people through sport)
• The Brilliant Club (supporting young people to access university)
• SAYes Mentoring (providing long-term mentoring)
• Art History Link-Up (supporting access to art history education)
• A Zeldin Company (theater-based youth engagement)

3. Plastic Pollution

The foundation supports initiatives to reduce plastic pollution globally, with a focus on systemic change and policy advocacy.

Current grantees include:

• Ellen MacArthur Foundation (convening the Business Coalition advocating for an ambitious treaty on plastic pollution)
• Plastic Solutions Fund (grant funding organizations tackling the plastic production and pollution cycle globally)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not published explicit exclusions, but their focus is clearly on youth-related issues (particularly ages 16-25), loneliness intervention, and environmental sustainability related to plastics. Organizations working outside these three priority areas are unlikely to be considered.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Elisabeth de Kergorlay (Chair, appointed December 2020) - Elisabeth serves as President of the foundation and has demonstrated particular interest in cultural initiatives and digital humanities, as evidenced by the major grant to Oxford's Voltaire Foundation.

• Katherine Elizabeth Francey (Trustee, appointed September 2022)

• Victoire Newman (Trustee, appointed December 2020)

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Staff:

• Sarah Hale - Foundation Manager. Sarah has been quoted regarding the foundation's partnership approach: “We are delighted to partner with the Co-op Foundation to double our impact” in supporting organizations tackling youth loneliness.

The foundation operates with one employee and maintains a lean operational structure focused on strategic grant-making.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Astra Foundation does not have a public application process. They explicitly state on their website: “We are not accepting unsolicited proposals at this time.”

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their strategic priorities and existing relationships. The foundation identifies potential grantees through:

• Trustee knowledge and networks within their three priority areas
• Strategic partnerships with other foundations (such as the Co-op Foundation)
• Research and convening work within their focus sectors
• Existing relationships with organizations demonstrating impact in loneliness prevention, youth empowerment, or plastic pollution reduction

Organizations interested in the foundation's work should direct inquiries to info@astrafoundation.co.uk, though unsolicited funding requests are not currently being considered.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there are specific ways organizations working in their priority areas might come to the trustees' attention:

1. Partnership Networks

The foundation actively works in partnership with other funders. Their match-funding collaboration with the Co-op Foundation demonstrates they identify potential grantees through peer foundation networks. Organizations should:

• Ensure they are well-known to other foundations working in youth loneliness, youth empowerment, or plastic pollution
• Participate in sector convenings where foundation representatives may be present
• Build relationships with current grantees who may refer aligned organizations

2. Sector Convening Organizations

The foundation funds convening organizations like the Jo Cox Foundation (on loneliness) and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (on plastics). Organizations active in these networks may be identified through these intermediaries.

3. Direct Inquiry

While unsolicited proposals are not accepted, organizations with highly relevant work that aligns precisely with the foundation's theory of change in one of their three areas could consider a brief introductory email to info@astrafoundation.co.uk. This should focus on building a relationship rather than requesting funding, and should clearly demonstrate:

• Deep alignment with one of their three specific priority areas
• Evidence of “best in class interventions” (their language)
• Innovative approaches using proven strategies
• Work with young adults specifically (rather than children or older adults)

4. French Organizations

The foundation has a clear interest in France alongside the UK, with multiple French grantees. French organizations working on youth loneliness should particularly note this geographic focus.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As grants are made by trustee discretion rather than through application rounds, there are no fixed decision timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications, so success rates are not calculated or published.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only grant-making model.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept applications, their grant-making patterns and stated theories of change reveal what they value:

1. Best in Class Interventions

The foundation explicitly seeks to support “best in class interventions” in their loneliness work. They prioritize organizations with:

• Evidence-based approaches
• Demonstrated impact and evaluation
• Innovative strategies with proven results
• Contribution to the knowledge base (research and practice)

2. Strategic Use of Sports and Arts

For youth empowerment, they specifically highlight programs “deploying sports and the arts to give youth the life skills, vocational training, and confidence they need to succeed in life.” Organizations using these methodologies are clearly prioritized.

3. Systems Change and Convening

Multiple grantees are convening organizations (Jo Cox Foundation, Fédération Française pour les Liens Sociaux, Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Business Coalition). The foundation values organizations that:

• Bring together multiple stakeholders
• Advocate for policy change
• Build sector-wide momentum
• Create systemic solutions beyond direct service delivery

4. Focus on Young Adults

The foundation is specifically focused on young adults (roughly ages 16-25), not children or older adults. Organizations must demonstrate clear focus on this demographic.

5. Multi-year Vision

Several grants are multi-year commitments (e.g., three-year partnerships with youth organizations). The foundation appears to favor sustained relationships over one-off grants.

6. Partnership Approach

As Sarah Hale (Foundation Manager) stated about their Co-op Foundation partnership: “We are delighted to partner with the Co-op Foundation to double our impact.” The foundation values collaborative funding approaches and may be more likely to support organizations that other respected funders are backing.

7. Geographic Specificity

Organizations working in the UK, France, or Zambia align with the foundation's current geographic scope. French organizations working on youth loneliness should particularly note the foundation's active interest in France.

8. Education Access

Several grantees focus on educational access and attainment (The Brilliant Club, Unite Foundation, Art History Link-Up, London Screen Academy). Breaking down barriers to education for disadvantaged youth is a clear theme.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation only: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - do not submit proposals without a pre-existing relationship or invitation
• Focus on loneliness in young adults: If working on this issue, particularly with evidence-based interventions or convening approaches, this is a highly relevant funder worth building awareness with
• Sports and arts for youth empowerment: Organizations using these methodologies to build life skills and vocational training should ensure they're visible in sector networks where trustees might identify them
• Think systems change: The foundation favors organizations that convene, advocate, and build knowledge - not just those delivering direct services
• French connection: French organizations working on youth loneliness have a clear opportunity given the foundation's explicit focus on France
• Partnership approach: Being known to other foundations (particularly Co-op Foundation and other youth/loneliness funders) may create pathways to visibility
• Young family foundation: Registered in 2021, this is a relatively new foundation still developing its grant-making approach and may expand their model over time

References

• The Astra Foundation website: https://astrafoundation.co.uk/
• UK Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 1196829: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5177340/full-print
• Co-op Foundation partnership announcement: "We're partnering with the Astra Foundation to combat youth loneliness" https://www.coopfoundation.org.uk/blog/astra-foundation/
• University of Oxford Development Office: “Astra Foundation supports Research Fellow in Digital Humanities” https://www.development.ox.ac.uk/news/astra-foundation-supports-research-fellow-in-digital-humanities
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation funding and support: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/astra-foundation