The Author's Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £435,883 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not available
• Decision Time: Not available
• Grant Range: £2,000-£6,000
• Geographic Focus: UK

Contact Details

• Website: www2.societyofauthors.org
• Email: info@societyofauthors.org
• Phone: 020 3880 2230

Overview

The Author's Foundation is a UK registered charity (number 326605) that provides financial support to professional writers. With total expenditure of £435,883 in 2024, the foundation gives grants to professional writers working on books, specifically to help cover research expenditure or to buy time for writing. The foundation is administered by the Society of Authors, supporting the literary community through targeted financial assistance.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides grants of £2,000-£6,000 for:

• Research expenditure related to book projects
• Travel costs associated with writing projects
• Buying time for writers to focus on their book projects
• Other essential expenses related to completing a book

Eligibility

• Authors commissioned by a British or Irish publisher, or
• Authors who have had at least one book published commercially by a British or Irish publisher with strong likelihood of future UK/Ireland publication
• Self-published books are not currently eligible
• Successful applicants must wait four years before reapplying

Priority Areas

• Professional writers working on book projects
• Fiction, poetry, and non-fiction works
• Scripts professionally performed on stage, screen, or radio
• Research costs associated with writing
• Time-based support for writing activities

What They Don't Fund

• Self-published books
• Repeat applications within four years of previous grant

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by 5 trustees. One or more trustees receive payments or benefits for services provided to the charity.

How to Apply to The Author's Foundation

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. Contact the foundation through grants@societyofauthors.org for application forms and current requirements.

Decision Timeline

Due to high volumes of applications, allow up to five months for a decision.

Success Rates

Information not available from current sources

Reapplication Policy

Successful applicants must wait four years before reapplying to the Foundation.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated purpose, successful applications likely demonstrate:

• Professional writer status
• Clear book project in development with publisher interest or previous publication history
• Specific research, travel, or time requirements
• How the grant will directly support book completion

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation specifically supports professional writers working on books
• Grants range from £2,000-£6,000 covering research costs, travel, and living expenses (“buying time”)
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines
• Allow up to five months for application decisions
• Must wait four years between successful applications
• Self-published authors are not currently eligible
• Focus applications on specific book projects with clear publisher pathway

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The John S Cohen Foundation
• The Greenslade Family Foundation
• Schroder Charity Trust
• The Peter Cruddas Foundation
• The Stanley Grundy Foundation Limited
• The Victoria Wood Foundation
• Edwin Fox Foundation
• Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation
• Thriplow Charitable Trust
• The Fidelio Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales, The Author's Foundation (Charity Number 326605)
• Financial data from 2024 Charity Commission filings
• Society of Authors grant programme information