The Brownsword Charitable Foundation

Charity Number: 1012615

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £218,718 (2024)
  • Annual Income: £407,727 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Variable - from community grants to major projects of £500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Predominantly Bath and North East Somerset

Contact Details

Registered Address: 4 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HA, United Kingdom

Phone: 01225 339661

Website: No public website

Email: Not publicly available

Note: The foundation does not have a public application process.

Overview

The Brownsword Charitable Foundation (charity number 1012615) was registered on 3 July 1992 and is chaired by Andrew Brownsword CBE DL, a successful entrepreneur who sold his Forever Friends greeting card business to Hallmark Cards in 1994 for an estimated £195 million. The foundation, governed alongside trustees Dr Nicole Lyn Howse (appointed November 2023) and Alessandra Brownsword-Matthews (appointed November 2020), operates with substantial discretion in its grant-making, supporting causes across Bath and North East Somerset. The foundation's governing document states it makes donations “to such charitable institution or institutions at such time or times and in such manner as the trustees may in their absolute discretion think fit.” Andrew Brownsword was appointed CBE in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to the arts, heritage, and health in Bath and South-West England, reflecting his significant philanthropic impact in the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate structured grant programs with set application cycles. Instead, trustees exercise discretion in selecting charitable causes to support, with grant amounts varying significantly based on the project:

  • Major capital projects: £500,000 - £1,000,000 (match funding)
  • Mid-sized community projects: Amounts not publicly specified
  • Smaller local grants: Amounts not publicly specified

Priority Areas

The foundation's funding priorities focus on Bath and North East Somerset, supporting:

  • Children and Young People: Educational projects and support services for physical and learning disabilities
  • The Arts: Museums, galleries, and cultural institutions
  • The Elderly: Services and facilities for older people
  • Community and Neighbourhood Work: Local community development initiatives
  • Medical Projects: Healthcare facilities, therapeutic services, and hospital improvements
  • Educational Projects: Learning opportunities and educational infrastructure
  • Physical and Learning Disabilities: Specialized support and facilities

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publish explicit exclusions. As a discretionary trust focused on Bath and North East Somerset, projects outside this geographic area are unlikely to receive funding.

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Andrew Douglas Brownsword CBE DL - Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and hotel owner who chairs Brownsword Hotels, The Bath Priory Group, and two family charitable foundations

Trustees:

  • Dr Nicole Lyn Howse (appointed 28 November 2023)
  • Alessandra Brownsword-Matthews (appointed 24 November 2020)

Andrew Brownsword has stated about his support for Bath Abbey: “The Abbey plays a vital role in the city, making a significant impact on those who live, work and visit Bath.” This reflects the foundation's commitment to supporting institutions that benefit the entire Bath community.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation operates through trustee discretion, with grants typically awarded to organizations and projects already known to the trustees or identified through their community connections in Bath. There is no online portal, application form, or published deadline for submissions.

The foundation's governing document grants trustees “absolute discretion” in selecting charitable institutions to support, suggesting that grant decisions are made proactively by trustees rather than in response to applications.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available, as there is no formal application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's discretionary nature and lack of public application process, organizations that have successfully received funding share these characteristics:

Major Projects Funded by the Foundation:

  • Bath Abbey Footprint Project: £500,000 match funding pledge (2017), with an additional £175,000 grant, totaling support that helped raise £1 million
  • Royal United Hospital RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre: Up to £1 million in match funding as part of a £20 million capital project, with the center bearing the Brownsword name
  • Holburne Museum: Ongoing support through The Brownsword Charitable Trust, including the Brownsword Picture Gallery
  • Royal United Hospital Premature Babies Unit: Historical support (specific amounts not publicly disclosed)
  • Dorothy House: Historical support (specific amounts not publicly disclosed)

Common Characteristics of Funded Projects:

  • Significant community impact across Bath and North East Somerset
  • Capital projects with lasting infrastructure benefits
  • Alignment with the foundation's priority areas (arts, health, education, disability support)
  • Often large-scale projects requiring substantial philanthropic support
  • Frequently involve match funding arrangements that leverage community fundraising
  • High-profile institutions with established reputations in Bath

Strategic Approach:

The foundation favors transformational projects that create permanent facilities or capabilities, such as the Therapies Centre that bears the Brownsword name. Match funding arrangements appear particularly appealing, as they multiply community engagement and overall project impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - the foundation operates entirely through trustee discretion and existing relationships
  • Geographic focus is paramount - virtually all known grants support Bath and North East Somerset organizations
  • Major capital projects attract significant support - grants of £500,000 to £1 million have been awarded to transformational infrastructure projects
  • Match funding appeals to the trustees - several major grants have been structured as match funding challenges that engage the wider community
  • Long-term community impact matters - funded projects typically create permanent facilities or lasting benefits (hospitals, museums, heritage sites)
  • Trustee connections are essential - all publicly known grants involve well-established Bath institutions likely known to the Brownsword family through their business and community involvement
  • Arts, heritage, and health are core interests - reflecting Andrew Brownsword's CBE citation “for services to the arts, heritage, and health in Bath and South-West England”

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