The Clare Foundation Ltd

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £100,000-£120,000 (through Angels' Den)
• Success Rate: ~13% (8 finalists from ~60 applications for 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: martin.gallagher@theclarefoundation.org (CEO); rsvp@theclarefoundation.org (Angels' Den applications); info@theclarefoundation.org (general enquiries)
• Phone: 07730 762900
• 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. In 2024, the charity had total income of £150,043.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Angels' Den (Primary Grant Programme)

• Amount: £5,000 - £20,000 per charity
• Total pot: £100,000-£120,000 annually
• Format: Live pitching event at Elgiva Theatre, Chesham
• Process: Eight shortlisted charities pitch to a panel of “Angels” (entrepreneurs including founder Mike Clare and guests such as Peter Jones from Dragons' Den)
• Frequency: Annual (held in September)
• Application deadline: Mid-May
• 2024 Winners: The Theatre Shed (£20,000), Youth Concern (£18,000), Brighter Futures Together (£15,000), Been There (£12,000), Chilterns Neuro Centre (£10,000), Age UK Bucks (£5,000), Animal Antiks (£5,000), Lindengate (£5,000), Marlow Opportunity Playgroup (£5,000), Plunkett UK (£5,000)

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: Currently closed to new applications during Angels' Den cycle

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

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

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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 - Works with trustees to lead the Foundation, provides strategic guidance to charities on mission and focus, assists with trustee recruitment planning, and oversees the organization's support services. Contact: martin.gallagher@theclarefoundation.org

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 like Peter Jones (Dragons' Den). In 2025, six Angels will 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."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Angels' Den:

1. Complete and submit application by mid-May deadline to rsvp@theclarefoundation.org
2. Include: charity overview, proposed project aims, intended impact, and alignment with community innovation focus
3. Eight 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
2. Provide: applicant details, organization information, desired grant amount, intended use of funds
3. Foundation reviews and contacts applicants
4. Note: Currently not accepting new expressions of interest during Angels' Den cycle

Decision Timeline

• Angels' Den: Application deadline mid-May, shortlist announced by late June/early July, event in September - approximately 4-5 months from application to award
• Small Grants: Timeline varies depending on application volume and when applications reopen

Success Rates

For Angels' Den 2024, all ten finalists received funding (100% success rate for finalists), though success rate from initial applications to finalist stage is estimated at approximately 13% (8-10 finalists from 60+ applications). In 2024, ten charities shared the pot; the 2025 event reduced this to eight finalists to potentially increase individual grant amounts.

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

According to Brighter Futures Together, a 2024 winner: 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 organizations must clearly demonstrate their Buckinghamshire presence and local impact.

Collaborative Approach

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

Organizational 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 counseling 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 organization 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.

• Emphasize 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 emphasizes entrepreneurship, collaboration, and happiness. Applications that reflect these values and demonstrate business-minded approaches to charity work may resonate strongly.

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 2024: https://theclarefoundation.org/angels-den-2024
• Launch of Angels' Den 2025: https://theclarefoundation.org/launch-of-angels-den-2025

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

• "Angels' Den 2024: Buckinghamshire charities awarded £100,000" - Milton Keynes Citizen, September 2024 (miltonkeynes.co.uk)

• “Ten Buckinghamshire Charities Receive £120,000 in Grants” - Bucks Radio, September 2024 (bucks.radio)

• "Clare Foundation's Angels' Den returns for 2025" - UK Fundraising, May 2025 (fundraising.co.uk)

• "Our YMHC project wins £15,000 at Clare Foundation Angels' Den" - Brighter Futures Together, 2024 (brighterfuturestogether.org.uk)

• “Meet the funder: The Clare Foundation” - Civil Society, date(civilsociety.co.uk)

• “Big Giver: Mike Clare, Clare Foundation” - Third Sector magazine (thirdsector.co.uk)

• “Mike Clare Uses Business Success to Drive Change” - Smiley Movement (smileymovement.org)

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