The Cibc World Markets Children's Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £197,217 (FY 2023/24)
• Success Rate: 5.7% (4 selected from 70 applications for 2019-2021 cycle)
• Decision Time: Early in year; annual selection for 2-year partnerships
• Grant Range: £28,000 - £56,000 per year (based on recent awards)
• Geographic Focus: UK and Europe
• Partnership Duration: 2-year cycles
• Registered Charity Number: 1105094

Contact Details

Email: ukchildrensmiracle@cibc.co.uk

Phone: 020 7234 6000

Address: c/o Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, 150 Cheapside, London EC2V 6ET

Website: www.cibc.com/ca/miracleday/international/childrens-foundation.html

Chairperson: Andrew Ryde

Overview

The CIBC World Markets Children's Foundation was established as part of the global CIBC Children's Foundation (founded 1984) and became a registered charity in England and Wales in July 2004. The foundation's mission is to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of children or children's charities worldwide through financial assistance and promoting volunteerism. With £150 million raised globally since inception, CIBC Capital Markets' European operation has donated more than £6 million to numerous children's charities across the UK and Europe since 1994. The foundation operates through a selective 2-year partnership model, selecting a small cohort of charities every two years following a rigorous selection process. The cornerstone of their fundraising is CIBC Miracle Day, held annually on the first Wednesday of December, when CIBC Capital Markets employees donate their fees and commissions to the foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a 2-Year Partnership Programme where selected charities become official partners for a two-year cycle:

• Primary Partners: Historically £56,000 per year for two primary partners
• Secondary Partners: Historically £28,000 per year for additional partners
• Total Partners per Cycle: Typically 3-4 charities selected every 2 years

Recent Partnership Cycles:

• 2019-2021: XLP, Stem4, CHICKS, and Honeypot
• 2025-2027: WellChild, Lifelites, and Hackney Quest

Partners benefit from unrestricted grants at year-end, allowing flexibility in how funds are deployed.

Priority Areas

The foundation supports registered UK and European charities dedicated to:

• Health and medical care for children
• Welfare of children affected by disability, illness, social deprivation, or life-limiting conditions
• Education of children
• Children's hospitals
• Counselling services for children
• Special programs for at-risk children
• Projects providing tangible benefits to children in their communities

Eligibility Requirements:

• UK or European registered charities
• Annual income under £5 million
• Well-administered with record of achievement or potential for success
• Potential for CIBC to contribute time and resources beyond financial support

What They Don't Fund

• Donations to individuals
• Political groups or advocacy organizations
• Private schools
• Groups limiting benefits to specific ethnic or religious populations
• Endowments or permanent funds
• Multi-year projects beyond the 2-year partnership commitment
• Organizations selected as annual charities twice within any 5-year period (reapplication restriction)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: 5 trustees, none of whom receive remuneration

Volunteers: 12 active volunteers

Chairperson: Andrew Ryde

Employees: No employees with benefits exceeding £60,000

The foundation operates with minimal overhead, relying on trustee governance and volunteer support. All funds raised go directly to charitable purposes, with operational support provided by CIBC Capital Markets.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Email submission

Application Frequency: The foundation operates on 2-year partnership cycles. Applications are accepted early in the year when new partnerships are being selected.

Application Steps:

1. Review the Eligibility Guidelines on the CIBC website
2. Download and complete the Charity Application Form (XLS format)
3. Email completed form to ukchildrensmiracle@cibc.co.uk
4. Strictly follow all form instructions and dropdown menu selections

Important Note: There are no additional documentation requirements beyond the application form for initial submission.

Current Status: The foundation works with charity partners on a 2-year cycle. When not actively selecting new partners, applications are not accepted. Check the website or contact the foundation early in the year to confirm if a new selection cycle is opening.

Decision Timeline

• Application Period: Early in the year when selection cycles open
• Selection Process: Rigorous review involving comprehensive evaluation
• Notification: Not publicly specified, but occurs before the partnership year begins
• Partnership Duration: 2 years
• Payment Schedule: End of year unrestricted grants

Success Rates

Highly Competitive: For the 2019-2021 partnership cycle, the foundation received 70 applications and selected 4 charities, representing a 5.7% success rate.

This exceptionally competitive process reflects the foundation's selective approach and commitment to developing deep partnerships with a small number of high-impact charities.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations selected as annual charities cannot be selected again within any 5-year period. This policy ensures the foundation spreads its impact across a diverse range of children's charities rather than repeatedly funding the same organizations.

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent cycles, provided they meet eligibility criteria and the 5-year restriction does not apply.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Based on their stated priorities and funded projects, successful applicants demonstrate:

1. Tangible Impact on Children: The foundation explicitly seeks “projects or programs that provide a tangible benefit to European children and the communities where they live.” Concrete, measurable outcomes for children are essential.

1. Organizational Competence: Charities must be “well administered, with a record of achievement or potential for success.” This suggests they value both established track records and emerging organizations showing promise.

1. Engagement Opportunities: The eligibility criteria mention “potential for CIBC to contribute time and resources beyond financial support,” indicating they seek partners where employees can volunteer and engage meaningfully, not just write checks.

1. Appropriate Scale: With the £5 million annual income cap, they target small to medium-sized charities where their funding can make a significant difference.

Examples of Funded Work

Recent partnerships illustrate the foundation's priorities:

• WellChild: National charity enabling seriously ill children to thrive at home
• Lifelites: Developing inclusive assistive technology for children with life-limiting conditions
• Stem4: Mental health charity providing counselling services for young people
• XLP: Youth development programs for at-risk children
• Honeypot: Supporting vulnerable children and young carers

These examples show preference for charities addressing health challenges, disabilities, mental health, and social deprivation—all core focus areas in the foundation's mission.

Strategic Application Advice

• Be Specific About Impact: Demonstrate how your work provides tangible, measurable benefits to children
• Show Organizational Strength: Provide evidence of good governance, financial management, and either proven results or strong potential
• Highlight Engagement Opportunities: Explain how CIBC employees could volunteer or engage with your work beyond funding
• Emphasize Unrestricted Funding Value: Since grants are unrestricted, explain how flexible funding would enable greater impact
• Demonstrate Scale-Appropriate Need: Show how this level of funding would meaningfully advance your work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Extremely Competitive: With a 5.7% success rate, applications must be exceptional. Only apply if you strongly align with all criteria.
• Two-Year Commitment Focus: The foundation seeks partnerships, not one-off grants. Demonstrate how a two-year relationship would create sustained impact.
• Employee Engagement Matters: Beyond funding, show how CIBC employees could meaningfully engage through Miracle Day and volunteer opportunities.
• Application Simplicity Masks Selection Rigor: While the application form is straightforward, the selection process is comprehensive. Invest time in a compelling submission.
• Timing is Critical: Applications are only accepted during specific windows when new partnership cycles begin. Contact early in the year to confirm if applications are open.
• Unrestricted Funding Philosophy: Year-end unrestricted grants give partners flexibility—articulate how this approach would strengthen your work.
• Five-Year Reapplication Restriction: If selected, you cannot reapply for 5 years. Ensure you're ready to maximize a two-year partnership before applying.

References

• CIBC Miracle Day - Europe and the UK - Official CIBC Miracle Day page describing the UK program
• CIBC Miracle Day Eligibility Guidelines - Europe and the UK - Detailed eligibility criteria and application process
• Charity Commission - THE CIBC WORLD MARKETS CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION - Official UK charity registration and financial accounts
• WellChild Partnership Announcement - Information about 2025-2027 charity partners
• CIBC Donates Over £650,000 to Children's Charities - Press release about UK giving
• 40th CIBC Miracle Day - December 2024 press release about global fundraising achievements