The Buffini Chao Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £743,817 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (proactive funding model)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales (primarily Greater London and Wales)

Contact Details

• Website: www.buffinichao.com
• Email: trustees@buffinichao.com
• Phone: 07493 652270
• Address: Po Box 1427, Northampton, NN1 9FP

Important Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or applications.

Overview

The Buffini Chao Foundation was established in 2005 by Sir Damon Buffini and Lady Debbie Buffini as a vehicle for strategic philanthropic giving focused on education and opportunities for young people. The foundation operates with total annual expenditure of approximately £744,000 (2023), directing grants to organizations working with children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The foundation takes a distinctively hands-on approach, with trustees personally visiting projects and building long-term relationships with funded organizations. Their strategic focus encompasses access to the arts, confidence building through sport and outdoor challenges, and encouraging charitable giving and volunteering among young people themselves. The foundation has impacted over 10,000 young people through its various programs and partnerships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through strategic partnerships rather than formal grant programs:

• Multi-year capital and revenue grants: Supporting major capital projects (e.g., named spaces in buildings) combined with operational funding
• Programme funding: Supporting specific educational and youth development initiatives over multiple years
• Scholarship funding: Providing named scholarships at educational institutions
• Partnership grants: Long-term support through intermediary organizations like Community Foundation for Surrey (39 grants since 2013)

Application method: Proactive identification and invitation only - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Priority Areas

Education and Training

• Access to arts education, particularly dance and performing arts
• Music education for disadvantaged children
• Alternative education pathways for NEET young people (16-21)
• Scholarships and bursaries for students from underrepresented backgrounds

Youth Development

• Confidence building through sport and outdoor activities
• Leadership development and skills training
• Youth volunteering and charitable giving programs
• Support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Geographic Focus

• Greater London (primary focus)
• Wales (select schools and programs)
• Surrey (via Community Foundation partnership)
• National organizations with local impact

Target Beneficiaries

• Children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Young people from lower socio-economic circumstances
• Students from underrepresented communities
• Young people at risk of exclusion
• Young people with SEND

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside England and Wales
• Projects not focused on children and young people
• Unsolicited applications from any organization
• General fundraising appeals
• Projects without clear impact indicators

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Lady Debbie Buffini (Chair)

• Former solicitor in London and US
• Board member of English National Ballet
• Advisory Panel member of IntoUniversity
• Received honorary doctorate from Manchester Metropolitan University (2023)
• Quote: "We want to give young people opportunities and turn on that 'light bulb' moment in their minds: to harness creativity and help that next generation flourish."

Sir Damon Buffini (Founding Trustee)

• Chair of Royal National Theatre
• Chairman of BBC Holdings
• Chair of Royal Anniversary Trust
• Led £2 billion Cultural Recovery Fund
• Co-founder of Social Business Trust
• Knighted in 2016 for philanthropic services
• Quote: "I think creativity should be part of young people's educational life. Not only are there definitely jobs in the sector but it's valuable to their wider educational experience, and our foundation is supporting the arts in the UK education system."

Maria Grazia Hindmarsh

• Trustee since foundation's establishment (2005)
• Trustee of Alma Beacon charity
• School governor
• Supports local children's hospice

Sue Gutierrez

• Trustee since 2014
• Background in marketing
• Strategic consultant for schools
• Passionate about sports' benefits for youth

Karen Platt

• Joined December 2022
• Career in sports broadcasting and documentary television
• First in her family to attend university
• Believes in providing opportunities to raise aspiration and belonging

No trustees receive remuneration from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Buffini Chao Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

According to their stated policy: "The Foundation's support is determined through experience, personal networks and their own research, and consequently, the Foundation does not accept any unsolicited proposals/approaches."

The foundation operates through:

• Personal networks and relationships
• Proactive research and identification of projects
• Direct engagement with organizations aligned with their mission
• Trustee connections and recommendations

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation works through invitation and relationship-building rather than formal application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only funding model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Seeking to Build Relationships:

While direct applications are not accepted, understanding the foundation's approach may help organizations position themselves for potential future partnership:

1. Hands-On Engagement Approach

The foundation states: “Sir Damon Buffini and Lady Debbie Buffini are determined that the foundation exists as a hands-on operation, ensuring they obtain first-hand knowledge of the projects they support.” This means they value:

• Personal visits to projects
• Direct relationships with charity leadership
• Clear visibility into day-to-day operations
• Transparent impact measurement

2. Focus on Measurable Impact

The foundation seeks “projects where their giving reaches the heart of the cause with clear indications of impact.” Organizations they support demonstrate concrete outcomes, such as World Heart Beat's metrics showing 87% of young people felt supported, 74% felt more confident, and 77% reported increased self-esteem.

3. Strategic Partnerships

Recent examples of funded organizations include:

• Young V&A: Multi-year learning programme for SEND audiences, plus capital funding for new spaces
• World Heart Beat: Capital grant for teaching space (named “Buffini Chao Room”) plus year-1 revenue support
• IntoUniversity: Partnership funding for new centres
• First Give: Supporting ~1,000 students annually since 2015 across Greater London and Wales
• Community Foundation for Surrey: 39 grants to local causes since 2013

4. Alignment with Founder Values

Lady Buffini emphasizes creativity and arts: “We need the arts, and we need that collective shared experience. Art and creativity matter — and they matter to people individually, communities together, and the national and global economy.”

Sir Damon highlights educational breadth: “Education comes in many guises and should be available to all who desire it.”

5. Long-Term Relationship Building

The foundation values sustained partnerships. First Give noted: “Aside from their generous donations, their supportive and collaborative way of working has helped us to grow from strength to strength.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No direct applications accepted: This foundation operates exclusively through proactive identification and personal networks, making traditional grant applications impossible
• Relationship-driven funding model: Building authentic connections with trustees through shared networks, events, or sector engagement is the only pathway to potential funding
• Hands-on trustees expect engagement: Trustees personally visit projects and seek deep understanding of operations, requiring organizations to be prepared for intensive due diligence
• Impact measurement is critical: Organizations must demonstrate clear, quantifiable outcomes that show tangible benefits to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Multi-year thinking: The foundation favors sustained partnerships over one-off grants, supporting organizations through both capital and revenue funding over multiple years
• Arts and education alignment: Projects that combine creativity, education, and practical skill-building for disadvantaged youth align most closely with founder values
• Geographic focus matters: Organizations working in Greater London, Wales, or through established intermediaries (like Community Foundation for Surrey) appear to receive priority consideration

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• Backstage Trust
• Cockayne Grants for the Arts
• Mayor of London
• Heritage Lottery Fund
• Bloomberg
• Financial Times

References

1. Buffini Chao Foundation official website - https://www.buffinichao.com/
2. Buffini Chao Foundation “About Us” page - https://www.buffinichao.com/about-us/
3. Charity Commission Register - THE BUFFINI CHAO FOUNDATION (1111022) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4017975
4. Buffini Chao Foundation “Our Work - First Give” - https://www.buffinichao.com/our-work/first-give/
5. Buffini Chao Foundation “Our Work - World Heart Beat” - https://www.buffinichao.com/our-work/world-heart-beat/
6. Buffini Chao Foundation "Our Work - Young V&A" - https://www.buffinichao.com/our-work/young-va/
7. Manchester Metropolitan University - “A foundation for success” - https://www.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/story/foundation-success
8. Find that Charity - GB-CHC-1111022 - https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1111022
9. IntoUniversity - Buffini Chao Foundation supporter page - https://intouniversity.org/supporter/buffini-chao-foundation/