The Cayo Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £267,000 - £312,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly review cycles (4 times per year)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £25,000 (occasionally up to £125,000)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Address: 7 Cowley Street, London SW1P 3NB

Phone: 020 7248 6700

Contact: Angela McCarville

Charity Number: 1080607

Note: Applicants may call for details about making a submission, but all other enquiries should be made in writing.

Overview

The Cayo Foundation was established in November 1999 via a Trust Deed as a discretionary grant-making charity supporting other bodies qualifying as charities under English law. The foundation operates throughout England and Wales with the flexibility to support a wide range of charitable causes. In 2017, the foundation distributed £706,742 to 27 charities. More recently, for the financial year ending September 2023, the foundation had total expenditure of £266,886, demonstrating continued active grant-making. The foundation also has the unique capability to provide loans to registered charities in addition to traditional grants. Since 2009, the foundation has ceased publicly reporting the names of individual grant recipients.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Cayo Foundation operates a single discretionary grant program with rolling applications reviewed quarterly.

• General Grants: £1,000 - £25,000 (typically), with grants occasionally reaching up to £125,000
• Loans: The foundation also provides loans to registered charities (terms not specified)
• Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly trustee review meetings

Priority Areas

The Cayo Foundation has supported registered charities working in the following areas:

• Children and young people: Projects supporting youth development and welfare
• Crime prevention: Initiatives aimed at reducing crime and supporting crime-fighting efforts
• Education: Educational programs and learning initiatives
• Medical research and training: Healthcare research projects and medical training programs
• Military history: Projects preserving and promoting military heritage
• Performing arts: Supporting arts organizations and cultural programming

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations not registered as charities in England and Wales
• Organizations operating outside England and Wales
• Specific exclusions are not publicly documented

Ready to write a winning application for The Cayo Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

• Angela Elizabeth McCarville - Chair (original trustee since 1999)
• The foundation currently operates with 2 trustees

Historical Background:

The foundation was originally established by Susan Mary Anstey and Angela Elizabeth McCarville as trustees. Susan Anstey was reported in 2009 to be the wife of Lord Ashcroft, the Conservative party's deputy chairman, providing some context about the foundation's origins.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application is by letter to The Cayo Foundation, stating the purpose for which the funding is needed. Letters should be addressed to:

Angela McCarville

The Cayo Foundation

7 Cowley Street

London SW1P 3NB

Application Process:

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
• Written applications only (by letter)
• Applicants may call 020 7248 6700 for details about making a submission
• All other enquiries should be made in writing

Eligibility:

• Must be a registered charity under English law
• Must be based and operating within England and Wales

Decision Timeline

• Review Frequency: Trustees meet quarterly (4 times per year) to assess grant applications
• Flexibility: Trustees may meet more frequently if necessary
• Specific Timeline: Exact decision timeframes from application to notification are not publicly specified

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. Based on historical data from 2017, the foundation made 27 grants totaling £706,742. However, the total number of applications received is not disclosed, making it impossible to calculate a precise success rate.

Reapplication Policy

No specific information is available regarding reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information available about the Cayo Foundation's selection criteria, applicants should focus on:

Alignment with Funding Areas: The foundation has demonstrated consistent interest in crime prevention, military history, education, medical research and training, children's issues, and the performing arts. Ensure your application clearly falls within these established areas of interest.

Clear Purpose Statement: The application requirement specifically requests that applicants “state the purpose for which the funding is needed.” Applications should include:

• A clear, concise explanation of the project or program requiring funding
• Specific objectives and intended outcomes
• How the grant will make a measurable difference

Flexibility in Grant Size: With grants typically ranging from £1,000 to £25,000, but occasionally reaching £125,000, consider the appropriate scale for your request. The foundation's 2017 giving pattern (£706,742 across 27 charities) suggests an average grant of approximately £26,200, though this likely includes a mix of smaller and larger awards.

Geographic Focus: Ensure your organization is both registered in and operating within England and Wales, as this is a strict eligibility requirement.

Discretionary Nature: As a discretionary grant-making trust, the foundation has significant flexibility in its decision-making. Applications should demonstrate both charitable merit and alignment with the trustees' interests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Simple Application Process: The foundation requires only a written letter, making the initial application straightforward and accessible
• Broad Remit: With six distinct funding areas, the foundation has wide-ranging interests, offering opportunities for diverse charitable causes
• Quarterly Reviews: Applications are reviewed four times annually, providing multiple opportunities to apply throughout the year
• Significant Grants Available: While most grants range from £1,000-£25,000, awards up to £125,000 have been made, suggesting flexibility for substantial projects
• Limited Public Information: The foundation ceased publishing grant recipient names in 2009, making it difficult to research recent funding patterns or successful applications
• Personal Contact Available: The foundation welcomes phone calls for submission guidance, offering an opportunity to clarify application requirements before submitting
• Unique Loan Option: Beyond traditional grants, the foundation also provides loans to charities, offering potential alternative funding structures

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Patrick Rowland Foundation
• THE KENNETH & SUSAN GREEN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• Edwin Fox Foundation
• The Lockwood Charitable Foundation
• The Graham Kirkham Foundation
• The Duke of Cornwall's Charitable Foundation
• THE LILI TAPPER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation
• THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION
• Coral Samuel Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register: THE CAYO FOUNDATION - Charity Number 1080607. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1080607
• Cayo Foundation - Funding Eye. Available at: https://www.jonmatthews.co.uk/cayo-foundation/
• Cayo Foundation | Making Music. Available at: https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/funding-opportunity/cayo-foundation
• CAYO FOUNDATION | Borough Wide Community Network. Available at: https://www.bwcn.org.uk/cayo-foundation/
• Cayo Foundation - Powerbase. Available at: https://powerbase.info/index.php/Cayo_Foundation
• Charity Commission financial records for years ending September 2022 and September 2023