The Clare Foundation Ltd

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £120,000 (through Angels' Den)
• Decision Time: 4-5 months (application to award)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £20,000
• Geographic Focus: Buckinghamshire only

Contact Details

• Website: www.theclarefoundation.org
• Email: info@theclarefoundation.org
• Phone: 01296 798082
• Address: 4th Floor Sunley House, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8EZ
• Charity Number: 1131949

Overview

The Clare Foundation Ltd was founded in October 2009 by entrepreneur Mike Clare (founder and former CEO of Dreams Plc) with an initial endowment of £5 million. The Foundation's distinctive mission is “to make Buckinghamshire the happiest county in Britain” by bringing together charities, businesses, and individuals as a “connected, collaborative and happy community.” Beyond grant-making, the Foundation provides comprehensive support to Buckinghamshire charities including free advisory services, interest-free social impact loans, training programmes, and networking opportunities. The Foundation's flagship grant programme, Angels' Den, launched in 2023 as an innovative Dragon's Den-style pitching event that has quickly become a signature approach to collaborative philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Angels' Den (Primary Grant Programme)

• Amount: £5,000 - £20,000 per charity
• Total pot: £120,000 annually (£60,000 from Angels matched by the Foundation)
• Format: Live pitching event at Elgiva Theatre, Chesham
• Process: Ten shortlisted charities pitch to a panel of “Angels” (entrepreneurs including founder Mike Clare and business leaders)
• Frequency: Annual (held in September)
• Application period: Typically opens in spring

Small Grants Programme

• Amount: Up to £5,000
• Purpose: Seed funding to set in motion initiatives and programmes helping people in Buckinghamshire
• Method: Expression of Interest Form submitted online
• Status: Check website for current availability

Interest-Free Social Impact Loans

• Amount: Not specified publicly
• Purpose: Support specific charity projects
• Terms: Interest-free loans to help charities reconnect with their objectives

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on supporting Buckinghamshire charities and community projects that:

• Address social inequality and support vulnerable families
• Improve community wellbeing and happiness
• Demonstrate innovation in their approach
• Build confidence, self-esteem, and general happiness in individuals
• Support stakeholders and voluntary sector leaders
• Tackle root causes of unhappiness in the county

Previous winners span diverse areas including youth services, mental health, disability support, community arts, older people's services, animal-assisted therapy, gardening projects, and community enterprise.

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations not based in or operating within Buckinghamshire
• National organisations without a local Buckinghamshire presence
• Projects that don't demonstrate clear community benefit for Buckinghamshire residents

Ready to write a winning application for The Clare Foundation Ltd?

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

Learn more >

Governance and Leadership

Founder and President: Mike Clare OBE - Entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded Dreams Plc in 1987, growing it to over 200 stores before selling in 2008. Mike is passionate about entrepreneurship and philanthropy, stating: "I don't need any more money, and don't want to sit on a beach for the rest of my life. I just enjoy helping people."

Chief Executive Officer: Martin Gallagher - CEO since February 2015, works with trustees to lead the Foundation, provides strategic guidance to charities on mission and focus, assists with trustee recruitment planning, and oversees the organisation's support services. Martin has significant experience in leading national rugby unions, coaching high performance teams, running a business in Africa and leading charities in the UK.

Angels' Den Panel: The panel varies annually but includes successful entrepreneurs and business leaders. Past Angels include Mike Clare, George Anson, Matt Storey, Sarah Leslie, Simon Biltcliffe, Gary Grant, and special guests. Six Angels collectively contribute £60,000, matched by The Foundation.

Mission Statement: "It's about charities, businesses and people in Buckinghamshire all working together as a connected, collaborative and happy community."

How to Apply to The Clare Foundation Ltd

How to Apply

Angels' Den:

1. Complete and submit application when applications open (typically spring)
2. Include: charity overview, proposed project aims, intended impact, and alignment with community innovation focus
3. Ten shortlisted charities announced approximately 3-4 months before event
4. Finalists receive presentation training from Mindset Revolution
5. Attend live pitching event in September
6. Deliver 2-minute pitch followed by 4-minute Q&A with Angels
7. Funding decisions announced at the event

Small Grants:

1. Complete Expression of Interest Form on website when available
2. Provide: applicant details, organisation information, desired grant amount, intended use of funds
3. Foundation reviews and contacts applicants
4. Check website for current availability

Decision Timeline

• Angels' Den: Application period typically in spring, event in September - approximately 4-5 months from application to award
• Small Grants: Timeline varies depending on application volume

Success Rates

All charities invited to pitch at Angels' Den receive funding, though amounts vary (£5,000-£20,000). Competition occurs at the shortlisting stage where ten finalists are selected from all applications received.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Given the annual nature of Angels' Den, unsuccessful applicants can presumably reapply in subsequent years. For specific guidance, contact the Foundation directly.

Application Success Factors

Presentation and Storytelling

Involving beneficiaries with firsthand experience adds “a powerful perspective, resonating deeply with the Angels and audience.” Including young people or service users in your pitch can significantly strengthen your case.

Innovation and Community Impact

Applications should clearly demonstrate “community innovation” and how the project will create lasting positive change in Buckinghamshire. The Foundation values creative approaches to addressing social challenges.

Clear Project Outcomes

Successful applicants articulate specific, measurable impacts. Be precise about what the funding will achieve and how many people will benefit.

Local Connection

Strong emphasis on Buckinghamshire roots and local community benefit. National organisations must clearly demonstrate their Buckinghamshire presence and local impact.

Collaborative Approach

The Foundation values partnership working. Demonstrating how your organisation collaborates with other charities, businesses, or community groups aligns with their core philosophy.

Organisational Efficiency

The Foundation promotes “best practice, the use of established business methods, expertise and good governance.” Applications should demonstrate sound management and strategic thinking.

Preparation Training

Take full advantage of the presentation training offered by Mindset Revolution if you reach the finals. Previous winners credit this training as crucial to their success.

Examples of Funded Projects

• Young Mental Health Champions programme (mental health peer support)
• Theatre projects supporting young people
• Youth counselling and support services
• Disability support centres
• Animal-assisted therapy programmes
• Community gardens and horticultural therapy
• Playgroups for children with additional needs
• Community enterprise development

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Think Dragon's Den: Angels' Den requires confident, compelling pitching skills. If public speaking isn't your strength, consider partnering with a board member or service user who can deliver a powerful 2-minute pitch.

• Invest in the pitch: With only 2 minutes to present followed by 4 minutes of Q&A, every second counts. Practice extensively and use the presentation training provided - it's a significant advantage.

• Demonstrate local impact: This is a Buckinghamshire-only funder with a clear mission to make the county “the happiest in Britain.” Your application must demonstrate deep local roots and measurable community benefit.

• Build relationships early: Beyond grants, the Foundation offers free advisory services including bid writing support, governance advice, and strategy development. Engaging with these services can strengthen your organisation and potentially your grant application.

• Consider the small grants route: If Angels' Den feels too competitive or public-facing, the small grants programme (up to £5,000) offers a more traditional application route when open.

• Emphasise innovation: The Foundation specifically looks for “community innovation” - don't just describe your services, explain what makes your approach distinctive or creative.

• All finalists receive funding: Unlike traditional Dragons' Den, every charity invited to pitch receives some funding. While amounts vary (£5,000-£20,000), being selected as a finalist guarantees an award, reducing the risk of walking away empty-handed.

• Alignment with founder values: Mike Clare's personal philosophy emphasises entrepreneurship, collaboration, and happiness. Applications that reflect these values and demonstrate business-minded approaches to charity work may resonate strongly.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Milton Keynes Community Foundation Limited
• Oxfordshire Community Foundation
• The Connolly Foundation (uk) Limited
• William Harding's Charity
• The Syder Foundation
• The Helen Roll Charity
• The Lionel Abel-smith Trust
• The Stevenage Community Trust
• The Harpenden Trust
• The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation

References

• The Clare Foundation official website (theclarefoundation.org) -
• Grants page: https://theclarefoundation.org/grants
• For Charities support page: https://theclarefoundation.org/support/for-charities
• Meet Mike Clare: https://theclarefoundation.org/vision-values-mission-2025/meet-mike
• Angels' Den 2026: https://theclarefoundation.org/angels-den-2026
• Contact page: https://theclarefoundation.org/contact
• Meet the Team: https://theclarefoundation.org/vision-values-mission-2026/meet-the-team

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity No. 1131949 (register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk) -

• Mike Clare personal website charity page (mikeclare.co.uk/charity)