The Bryan Adams Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £283,771 (2023/24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only basis)
• Decision Time: Variable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Variable (project-specific)
• Geographic Focus: International (UK, India, Sri Lanka, Canada, Ukraine, Palestine, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Haiti)

Contact Details

Website: www.thebryanadamsfoundation.com

Email: foundation@bryanadams.com

Phone: 020 7376 3819

Note: The foundation does not currently accept unsolicited applications. Grant decisions are made by trustees with advisory support from New Philanthropy Capital.

Overview

The Bryan Adams Foundation was established in 2006 by musician and photographer Bryan Adams following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Registered as charity number 1117863, the foundation is classified as a grant-giving body with total expenditure of £283,771 in 2023/24. Operating under the motto “Helping People Help People,” the foundation's mission is to advance education and learning opportunities for children and young people worldwide, and to relieve financial hardship, sickness and poor health among elderly people. The foundation takes a highly personal approach to philanthropy, with Bryan Adams stating: “Instead of giving money to UNICEF or something like that, I decided that I would raise my own money and personally allocate it to specific projects that needed direct attention.” The foundation is almost completely supported through Adams' photography work and syndication. The trustees work with New Philanthropy Capital to advise on grant decisions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate fixed grant programs with set amounts. Instead, grants are awarded at trustee discretion for specific projects aligned with the foundation's mission. Funding is tailored to project needs and ranges from equipment purchases to multi-year educational support.

Priority Areas

Education & Youth Development

• Instrumental and vocal music tuition (supporting 61% of students at Chelsea Academy - approximately 840 students)
• Learning centres for girls' education (10 centres in Jaipur, Rajasthan through IIMPACT, educating 600 girls)
• University scholarships for disadvantaged students (e.g., Masters degree funding for student from Gaza at Sheffield University)
• School infrastructure improvements (playgrounds, outdoor spaces)

Healthcare

• Medical equipment for children's hospitals (angio biplane machine at Great Ormond Street Hospital)
• HIV support programs for teenagers (Body & Soul centre in London)
• Healthcare initiatives for vulnerable populations

Community Infrastructure

• Swimming pools and sports facilities (original tsunami relief pool in Seenigama, Sri Lanka)
• Veterans support (berth sponsorship at Royal Hospital Chelsea)
• Youth organizations (Cowes Sea Cadets headquarters)

Disaster Relief & International Aid

• Refugee support (Ukraine refugees in Romania through “White Stork - Aid for Ukraine”)
• Post-disaster reconstruction (tsunami relief, school rebuilding)
• Food security projects (refrigeration unit for Harvest Project, Vancouver)

Geographic Priorities: England, Palestine, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Canada, Haiti, Sri Lanka, India, Ukraine

What They Don't Fund

The trustees generally do not:

• Make grants in response to unsolicited applications
• Make grants to individuals (scholarships are arranged through partner organizations)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Bryan Adams - Founder and Trustee

Musician and photographer who established the foundation in 2006. Adams takes a hands-on approach, personally visiting funded projects and stating: “I give back because my music has given my name the ability to help others.”

Alicia Grimaldi - Trustee and Co-founder

Former personal assistant to Bryan Adams and co-founder of the foundation.

Rafi Manoukian - Trustee

Andrew David Trotter - Trustee (appointed March 2022)

Julie Symes - Advisor

Director of YMU Group Accounting, serving as financial advisor to the foundation.

No trustees receive remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The foundation works with New Philanthropy Capital for grant advisory services.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation's website currently states: “The Bryan Adams Foundation is not currently accepting Applications for Grants.”

According to the Charity Commission filing, “The Trustees generally do not make grants in response to unsolicited applications and do not normally make grants to individuals.”

Grants are awarded through:

• Trustee identification of projects aligned with the foundation's mission
• Advisory input from New Philanthropy Capital
• Personal connections and visits by Bryan Adams to potential beneficiary organizations
• Strategic partnerships with established charities and organizations

Getting on Their Radar

The Bryan Adams Foundation identifies projects through personal connections and strategic partnerships rather than open applications. Specific approaches that have led to funding include:

Partner Through Established Organizations: The foundation works with established charities like IIMPACT, Foundation of Goodness, Body & Soul, and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Organizations working within these networks may be considered.

Geographic and Thematic Alignment: Projects in the foundation's priority countries (particularly India, Sri Lanka, UK, Canada) focused on children's education have received support.

Personal Visits: Bryan Adams personally visits many funded projects. He has attended Chelsea Academy music lessons, met IIMPACT students in Delhi when touring India, and unveiled projects at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, suggesting relationship-building opportunities when he is in a region.

Photography Connections: Since the foundation is funded through Adams' photography work, organizations connected to his professional photography network may have access.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made on a rolling basis by trustees as they identify suitable projects rather than through application rounds.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on an invitation/identification basis rather than competitive application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on a trustee-directed model rather than accepting applications, the key factors for receiving support appear to be:

Alignment with Personal Philosophy: Bryan Adams' approach emphasizes direct allocation to specific projects rather than general organizational support. He stated: “I decided that I would raise my own money and personally allocate it to specific projects that needed direct attention, as opposed to letting the money go and never knowing what happened.” Projects should have tangible, specific outcomes.

Focus on Education: The foundation believes “an education is the best gift that a child can be given.” Projects demonstrating clear educational impact for children and young people are strongly favoured.

Sustainable Impact: The 10-year anniversary grant to improve the original tsunami swimming pool in Seenigama demonstrates long-term commitment to projects. The foundation looks for lasting community benefit.

Vulnerable Populations: Priority is given to “the most vulnerable or disadvantaged individuals in society,” including out-of-school girls in India (600 never-been-to-school girls through IIMPACT), refugees, and disaster victims.

Partnership with Established Organizations: Rather than funding unknown groups, the foundation works with established charities like IIMPACT, Foundation of Goodness, and major hospitals, suggesting credibility and track record matter.

Geographic Focus: Recent grants show concentration in UK (particularly London), India (Rajasthan), Sri Lanka, Canada (Vancouver, Toronto), and current humanitarian priorities (Ukraine, Gaza).

Personal Connection Opportunities: Projects where Bryan Adams can visit and engage directly appear more likely to receive support, as evidenced by his visits to Chelsea Academy, IIMPACT centres, Royal Hospital Chelsea, and Cowes Sea Cadets.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not Open for Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Traditional grant writing approaches will not work here.

• Relationship-Based Funding: Work through established partner organizations or seek connection points through the foundation's existing network (New Philanthropy Capital, established beneficiary organizations).

• Education is Primary: Children's education projects, particularly for disadvantaged groups, are the clearest route to alignment with foundation priorities.

• Geographic Concentration: Focus areas include London, India (especially Rajasthan), Sri Lanka, and Canada, with responsiveness to major humanitarian crises (Ukraine, Gaza).

• Specific Projects Over General Support: The foundation funds concrete projects (swimming pools, medical equipment, learning centres) rather than general operating costs.

• Long-term Relationships: The 10-year follow-up to the Seenigama pool demonstrates the foundation maintains relationships with successful projects.

• Photography Connection: The foundation is funded through Bryan Adams' photography work, creating potential connection points through the photography and arts communities.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• KHOO TECK PUAT UK FOUNDATION
• The Hinduja Foundation
• THE KENNETH & SUSAN GREEN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The Rumi Foundation
• The Greenslade Family Foundation
• The Altenburg Foundation
• C A Redfern Charitable Foundation
• THE PETER STEBBINGS MEMORIAL CHARITY
• TARA GETTY FOUNDATION
• The Desmond Foundation

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The Bryan Adams Foundation (Charity No. 1117863)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1117863&subid=0

Accessed: December 2024

1. The Bryan Adams Foundation Official Website

https://www.thebryanadamsfoundation.com

Accessed: December 2024

1. “The Bryan Adams Foundation Is Doing Remarkable Work” - Samaritanmag

https://www.samaritanmag.com/bryan-adams-foundation-doing-remarkable-work

Accessed: December 2024

1. UK Charity Commission - Full Print Page for The Bryan Adams Foundation

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4029223/full-print

Accessed: December 2024

1. “Girls at IIMPACT Share a Very Special Afternoon With Bryan Adams” - IIMPACT

https://www.iimpact.org/girls-at-iimpact-share-a-very-special-afternoon-with-bryan-adams/

Accessed: December 2024

1. "AKG Supports Chelsea Academy's Music Center Through The Bryan Adams Foundation" - ProSoundWeb

https://www.prosoundweb.com/akg-supports-chelsea-academys-music-center-through-the-bryan-adams-foundation/

Accessed: December 2024

1. “Foundation of Goodness and a Bryan Adams Swimming Pool” - Canadian Sri Lankan Partnerships

https://canadiansrilankanpartnerships.wordpress.com/2012/08/12/foundation-of-goodness-and-a-bryan-adams-swimming-pool/

Accessed: December 2024

1. UK Charity Commission - Trustees Page for The Bryan Adams Foundation

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4029223/trustees

Accessed: December 2024