The Behrens Foundation
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £367,178 (2023-24)
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: Not specified (trustee discretion)
- Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
- Geographic Focus: England and Wales
- Application Method: No public application process
Contact Details
- Email: behrensfoundation@outlook.com
- Phone: 020 7448 4700
- Address: C/o Fiske PLC, 4th Floor, 100 Wood Street, London
The foundation does not offer pre-application support as there is no public application process.
Overview
The Behrens Foundation, formerly known as the E M Behrens Charitable Trust, was established by trust deed dated 4 April 1973 and registered as a charity on 15 May 1974 (amended by resolution 9 December 2004). Operating for over 50 years, the foundation is a traditional grant-making trust that distributes grants to charitable organisations throughout England and Wales. With an annual expenditure of £367,178 (2023-24) and income of £121,277, the foundation operates primarily by distributing from its endowment. The foundation's governing documents give trustees broad discretionary powers to support “any qualified charity or qualified charities” in “such shares and proportions between them and generally in such manner as the trustees shall in their absolute discretion think fit.” The foundation has a particular focus on arts, culture, heritage, and science, though operates under general charitable purposes.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with fixed deadlines or published criteria. All grants are awarded at the trustees' absolute discretion. Based on the foundation's classification, priority areas appear to include:
- Arts/Culture/Heritage/Science: Primary focus area for grant-making
- General Charitable Purposes: Broad remit allowing support for any qualified charity
Grant amounts and frequency are not publicly disclosed. With annual expenditure of £367,178, the foundation makes multiple grants each year, though specific recipients are not published.
Priority Areas
- Arts organisations
- Culture and heritage projects
- Science and discovery initiatives
- Qualified charitable organisations throughout England and Wales
What They Don't Fund
The foundation's exclusions are not publicly documented. However, as a private trust operating under trustee discretion, they:
- Do not accept unsolicited applications
- Do not operate an open grants program
- Awards are made based on trustees' knowledge and networks
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Governance and Leadership
The foundation is governed by five trustees, none of whom receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The foundation has no employees or trading subsidiaries.
Current Trustees:
- Dr Hermione Cockburn OBE (appointed 2024): Dr Cockburn brings extensive experience in science engagement and museum governance. She was awarded an OBE for services to public engagement in science in 2020, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and serves as a Trustee of National Museums Scotland (appointed October 2024). She previously served as Scientific Director of Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh and as a Trustee of the Association of Science and Discovery Centres.
- Stephen John Cockburn: Director of Stephen Cockburn Limited and co-trustee alongside Dr Hermione Cockburn.
- Jonna Behrens: Trustee, likely connected to the founding Behrens family.
- Harriet Frazer (appointed 2021)
- Priscilla Parish (appointed 2024)
The foundation is administratively supported by Fiske PLC, an investment services firm that provides services to private, corporate and institutional clients including charities and trustees.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on a trustee discretion model, where grants are awarded to organisations known to the trustees or identified through their networks. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.
Grants are awarded at trustees' meetings based on their knowledge of organisations and causes that align with the foundation's broad charitable purposes. The trustees exercise “absolute discretion” in determining which charities to support and in what amounts.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - the foundation does not operate an application process with defined timelines.
Success Rates
Not applicable - there is no public application process to generate success rate data.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
Application Success Factors
Given the foundation's invitation-only nature, success in receiving support depends on:
Trustee Connections and Networks: The foundation awards grants to organisations known to trustees or within their professional networks. With Dr Hermione Cockburn OBE recently appointed as a trustee, organisations in the science engagement, museum, and heritage sectors may have stronger connections.
Alignment with Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Science: While the foundation has general charitable purposes, its classification indicates a focus on arts, culture, heritage, and science organisations. Projects in these areas are more likely to be considered.
Established Track Record: As a traditional discretionary trust, the foundation is likely to support organisations with proven track records and strong governance, reflecting the trustees' fiduciary responsibility.
Connection to Fiske PLC Network: The foundation uses Fiske PLC as its administrative base. Organisations within Fiske PLC's network of clients (which includes charities, pension funds, and institutional clients) may have better visibility.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No Public Application Process: The Behrens Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. All grants are awarded at trustee discretion.
- Trustee-Led Identification: Focus on building relationships within arts, culture, heritage, and science sectors where trustees have expertise and connections.
- Dr Hermione Cockburn's Appointment: The 2024 appointment of Dr Cockburn, an OBE recipient with extensive museum and science engagement experience, suggests potential interest in science communication, museums, and heritage organisations.
- Annual Expenditure of £367,000: The foundation distributes substantial grants annually, drawn primarily from its endowment rather than fundraising.
- 50-Year History: As a long-established trust founded in 1973, the foundation has a sustained commitment to grant-making in England and Wales.
- Administrative Efficiency: With no employees and no trustee remuneration, the foundation operates with minimal overhead, maximizing grant distributions.
- Discretionary Model Common for Family Trusts: This approach is typical for family foundations and private trusts, where trustees identify beneficiaries through their networks rather than through competitive application processes.
Similar Funders
These funders frequently fund the same charities:
- The National Churches Trust
- THE PAUL BASSHAM CHARITABLE TRUST
- VAUGHAN WILLIAMS FOUNDATION
- The Arts Council of England
- The Patrick Rowland Foundation
- National Lottery Heritage Fund
- The Idlewild Trust
- National Lottery
- THE FOYLE FOUNDATION
- SALISBURY HOUSE
- Heritage Lottery Fund
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References
- Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Behrens Foundation (266324), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/266324 (accessed 8 December 2024)
- Charity Commission: Accounts and Annual Returns for The Behrens Foundation (266324), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/266324/accounts-and-annual-returns (accessed 8 December 2024)
- Charity Commission: Trustees for The Behrens Foundation (266324), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/266324/trustees (accessed 8 December 2024)
- Gov.scot: “Public appointment: Trustees appointed to the Board of National Museums Scotland”, https://www.gov.scot/publications/public-appointment-trustees-appointed-to-the-board-of-national-museums-scotland/ (accessed 8 December 2024)
- Association for Science and Discovery Centres: “Dr Hermione Cockburn”, https://www.sciencecentres.org.uk/about/past-trustees/dr-hermione-cockburn/ (accessed 8 December 2024)
- Fiske PLC: Investor Relations, https://www.fiskeplc.com/investor-relations/ (accessed 8 December 2024)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Behrens Foundation fund?
Grant Programs The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with fixed deadlines or published criteria. All grants are awarded at the trustees' absolute discretion.
How much funding does The Behrens Foundation provide?
The Behrens Foundation provides grants ranging from Not publicly disclosed, with total annual giving of approximately £367,178 (2023-24).
How do I contact The Behrens Foundation?
Email: behrensfoundation@outlook. com Phone: 020 7448 4700 Address: C/o Fiske PLC, 4th Floor, 100 Wood Street, London The foundation does not offer pre-application support as there is no public application process.
Is The Behrens Foundation a registered charity?
Yes, The Behrens Foundation is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 266324). They primarily serve organisations in Throughout England And Wales.
How do I apply to The Behrens Foundation?
The Behrens Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. They typically identify and approach charities they wish to support directly.
Where is The Behrens Foundation based?
The Behrens Foundation is based in London. They fund organisations in Throughout England And Wales.