The Cadbury Foundation

Charity Number: 1050482

Annual Expenditure: £0.7M
Geographic Focus: Devon, Ireland, Birmingham City, Sheffield City, City Of London, Reading, Wrexham

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £685,815 (2024)
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £12,000 (typical individual awards)
  • Geographic Focus: UK & Ireland, particularly Birmingham, Sheffield, Reading, Wrexham, London, Devon
  • Founded: 1935
  • Total Distributed: £10 million+ over the last 15 years

Contact Details

Website: www.cadbury.co.uk/about/impact/cadbury-foundation/

Email: kelly.farrell@mdlz.com

Phone: 0121 393 6988

Foundation Manager: Kelly Farrell, Corporate Government Affairs Manager - Community and Sustainability

Overview

The Cadbury Foundation was established in 1935 in recognition of Richard and George Cadbury's commitment to employee welfare and community investment. Now operating as the charitable arm of Mondelēz International UK (Cadbury's parent company), the Foundation has distributed over £10 million to hundreds of local causes across the UK and Ireland over the past 15 years. In 2024, the Foundation awarded £685,815 in unrestricted grants, primarily funded by an annual £600,000 donation from Mondelēz International. The Foundation focuses on three key areas: skills and employability, healthy lifestyles, and the passions of Mondelēz employees, supporting both local and national partners close to their operational sites. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated nearly 90 years of charitable giving, maintaining the Cadbury family's legacy of social responsibility.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Your Charity Your Choice Programme: £65,000-£90,000 annually distributed across multiple charities

  • Individual grants typically £5,000-£12,000 per charity
  • Wellbeing-focused charities only
  • Determined by employee nomination and voting
  • Awarded annually

Longstanding Partnership Grants: Amount varies

  • Multi-year strategic partnerships with select national organizations
  • Current partners include The British Paralympic Association, Down Syndrome Ireland, and Grocery Aid

Priority Areas

The Foundation prioritizes:

  • Skills and employability: Programs that help people develop workplace skills and find employment
  • Healthy lifestyles: Wellbeing initiatives, physical activity programs, mental health support
  • Employee passions: Causes that matter personally to Mondelēz International employees
  • Local community needs: Projects in communities close to Mondelēz sites (Birmingham, Sheffield, Reading, Wrexham, London, Devon, Ireland)
  • Social deprivation: Programs supporting “at risk” client groups or areas of social deprivation
  • Genuine community need: Evidence-based interventions addressing documented needs

Geographic Focus

The Foundation operates in specific areas where Mondelēz International has facilities:

  • Birmingham City (headquarters)
  • Sheffield City
  • Reading, Berkshire
  • Wrexham, Wales
  • City of London (Uxbridge)
  • Devon
  • Ireland

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation's employee-driven model means they don't fund:

  • Organizations without a connection to Mondelēz employees
  • Causes outside their priority areas (skills/employability, healthy lifestyles)
  • Projects outside their geographic operating areas
  • Individual requests (only registered charities)
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Governance and Leadership

Foundation Manager: Kelly Farrell (Corporate Government Affairs Manager - Community and Sustainability at Mondelēz International) has sole responsibility for all aspects of the Foundation's management including trustees, finance, programmes, and partners.

The Foundation operates under a board of trustees, though individual trustee names are not publicly listed. Kelly Farrell works closely with the trustees to continue the Cadbury family's legacy of social responsibility.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Cadbury Foundation does not have a public application process.

Grants are awarded exclusively through two channels:

  1. Employee Nomination Programme: All Mondelēz International UK employees are invited annually to nominate wellbeing-related charities or projects close to their hearts. The final shortlisted charities are then voted on by the wider workforce. Charities cannot apply directly - they must be nominated by a Mondelēz employee.
  1. Strategic Partnerships: The Foundation maintains longstanding partnerships with select national organizations (e.g., British Paralympic Association, Down Syndrome Ireland, Grocery Aid). These partnerships are established at the trustee/leadership level and are not open to application.

Getting on Their Radar

The most viable route to Foundation funding is through employee connection:

Build Relationships with Mondelēz International Employees:

  • Mondelēz International operates major sites in Birmingham (Bournville headquarters), Sheffield, Reading, Wrexham, London (Uxbridge), and Devon
  • Engage employees through local community events, corporate volunteering opportunities, or workplace partnerships
  • Consider approaching Mondelēz International's Corporate Social Responsibility or Community Affairs teams to explore employee engagement opportunities

Focus on Wellbeing Alignment:

  • The “Your Charity Your Choice” programme specifically targets wellbeing-related charities
  • Ensure your organization's wellbeing focus is clear and compelling for employee nominators

Local Community Presence:

  • The Foundation prioritizes causes “local to their UK and Ireland sites”
  • Organizations operating in areas with Mondelēz facilities have better chances of employee awareness and nomination

Contact the Foundation Manager:

  • Kelly Farrell (kelly.farrell@mdlz.com) manages all aspects of the Foundation
  • While there's no formal application process, establishing an initial introduction may be valuable if your organization has a strong wellbeing focus and operates near Mondelēz sites

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application route: This Foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - all funding decisions are made through employee nomination/voting or strategic trustee partnerships
  • Employee connection is essential: The only realistic pathway to funding is through a Mondelēz International employee who nominates your charity for the annual voting programme
  • Wellbeing focus is mandatory: The “Your Charity Your Choice” programme specifically seeks wellbeing-related charities
  • Geographic proximity matters: Organizations near Mondelēz sites (Birmingham, Sheffield, Reading, Wrexham, London, Devon) have better employee visibility
  • Typical award is £5,000: While the annual programme distributes £65,000-£90,000, individual charities typically receive £5,000-£12,000
  • Heritage matters: The Foundation maintains the Cadbury family's 90-year legacy of social responsibility - understanding this history may help in conversations with employees or leadership
  • Limited opportunity for most organizations: Unless you can establish an employee connection or are positioned for a strategic partnership, this Foundation is not accessible through traditional grant-seeking approaches

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