The Clore Duffield Foundation

Charity Number: 1084412

Annual Expenditure: £5.7M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Website: www.cloreduffield.org.uk

Phone: 020 7351 6061

Email: info@cloreduffield.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £110 million total since 2000 (varies year to year, recent £30m anniversary gift in 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (operates primarily through proactive grantmaking)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 6-8 weeks from submission to trustee meeting decisions
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £200,000 (typically £200,000 for learning spaces)
  • Geographic Focus: United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales)

Contact Details

Website: www.cloreduffield.org.uk

Email: info@cloreduffield.org.uk

Phone: 020 7351 6061

Director: Kate Bellamy

Schools Programme Manager: Cara Williams

Overview

The Clore Duffield Foundation was formed in 2000 through the merger of the Clore Foundation (established 1964 by Sir Charles Clore) and the Vivien Duffield Foundation (established 1987). Since formation, the Foundation has supported over 750 UK charities, awarding grants of over £110 million. The Foundation is chaired by Dame Vivien Duffield DBE, who continues her father's philanthropic legacy. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated its 60th anniversary with a major £30 million gift from Dame Vivien to support arts, culture, and education across the UK. The Foundation emphasizes cultural learning, particularly through dedicated learning spaces in museums, galleries, and heritage organizations, while maintaining a strategic focus on children, young people, and vulnerable individuals. Director Kate Bellamy joined in 2021, bringing extensive experience from Arts Council England.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Clore Learning Spaces Programme: Up to £200,000 for small to mid-sized arts and heritage organizations (annual turnover less than £5 million) to develop dedicated learning spaces. Eligibility requires UK charitable status and public-facing remit. Recent recipients include Paisley Museum, Natural History Museum, Kensington Palace, The Courtauld, V&A Storehouse, and Trent Park.

School Trips Programme: £5 million over five years (launched 2024) to support schools taking students to museums, heritage sites, and cultural experiences. Year 1 focused on Blackpool and Cornwall with £1 million for 8-10 schools. Rolling programme expanding to additional priority local authorities.

Main Grants Programme: Variable amounts for cultural learning, leadership training, and enhancing Jewish life. Applications by invitation or specific programme announcements only.

Priority Areas

  • Cultural Learning: Museum, gallery, heritage, and performing arts education spaces
  • Capital Projects: Majority of funding supports capital projects over revenue/operational costs
  • Leadership Training: Support for Clore Leadership programme and cultural sector leadership development
  • Children and Young People: Emphasis on transformative cultural experiences for young people
  • Jewish Life: Support for Jewish cultural centres and community organizations (notably JW3 London)
  • Health and Social Care: Supporting vulnerable individuals (smaller proportion of grants)

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited applications (except during announced open programmes)
  • Individuals (only registered UK charities)
  • Organizations with annual turnover over £5 million (for learning spaces programme)
  • Revenue/operational funding (very limited - majority is capital grants)
  • Multiple simultaneous applications (only one application considered at a time)
  • Current grant holders (cannot apply while receiving a grant)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Dame Vivien Duffield DBE, Chairman
  • Melanie Clore, Trustee
  • James Harding, Trustee
  • David Harrel, Trustee
  • Richard Oldfield, Trustee
  • Jeremy Sandelson, Trustee

Staff:

  • Kate Bellamy, Director
  • Cara Williams, Schools Programme Manager

Key Leadership Quotes

Dame Vivien Duffield on cultural education: “I believe passionately that children and young people deserve the very best opportunities to benefit from the transforming power of our world class cultural organisations” and "Now more than ever, I believe that culture should be at the heart of our children's learning."

Kate Bellamy on the Foundation's mission: The Foundation aims to find a “scalable way to give rich arts and cultural experiences to all children.”

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Proactive Grantmaking: The Foundation primarily operates through proactive grantmaking rather than open applications. However, specific programmes may be announced with open application windows.

When Applications Are Open:

  • Electronic submissions only (no hard copy applications accepted)
  • Review Learning Space Guidelines and “Space for Learning” handbook before applying (for learning spaces)
  • Contact the Foundation at info@cloreduffield.org.uk before applying or reapplying

Application Requirements:

  • Project details and comprehensive budget
  • Organizational information and charitable registration
  • Cover letter
  • Only one application considered at a time per organization

Decision Timeline

  • Trustee meetings: Twice yearly (summer and winter)
  • Submission deadline: Approximately 6 weeks before trustee meetings
  • Decision time: 6-8 weeks from submission to decision
  • Award notification: Following trustee meetings

Grant Administration:

  • Grantees sign agreement letter
  • Reporting required twice yearly on project progress
  • Payments made online twice annually
  • Foundation may conduct project site visits

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The Foundation operates primarily through proactive grantmaking, suggesting highly selective and strategic funding decisions based on alignment with priorities rather than open competition.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations are advised to contact the Foundation at info@cloreduffield.org.uk before reapplying. Reapplications require significant project changes from previous submissions. Organizations cannot apply while currently receiving a Clore Duffield grant.

Application Success Factors

Strong Alignment Indicators:

  • Small to mid-sized cultural organizations (under £5 million turnover)
  • Capital projects for dedicated learning spaces in museums, galleries, heritage sites
  • Clear focus on children and young people's engagement
  • Public-facing educational programming
  • Quality cultural experiences accessible to all
  • Strategic approach to cultural learning

Recent Funded Projects (2023-2024):

  • Ipswich Museum: £200,000 for educational grant
  • Hereford Museum & Art Gallery: £200,000 for Clore Learning Space
  • Paisley Museum: Clore Learning Space funding
  • Kensington Palace: Clore Learning Centre
  • Natural History Museum: Clore Learning Space
  • The National Archives: Clore Learning Centre (first digital-focused archive learning space, opened 2023)

Language and Terminology:

The Foundation emphasizes “transformative power,” “cultural learning,” “engagement and excellence,” and “rich arts and cultural experiences.” Applications should demonstrate commitment to educational access and quality cultural programming.

Director Kate Bellamy's Priorities:

Focus on “scalable” solutions that expand access, cultural leadership development, and “rich arts and cultural experiences to all children.”

Dame Vivien Duffield's Approach:

“The secret is to put people who can give in a position where they have to give to you, and to treat them wonderfully well. You write a handwritten letter, you send a bunch of flowers, you take them out to dinner, you schmooze them.” (Note: This relates to her fundraising philosophy; for grant applicants, the emphasis is on relationship-building and thoughtful engagement)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-based system: Do not submit unsolicited applications unless a specific programme is announced. Build relationships and await invitation or programme announcements.
  • Capital over revenue: The Foundation strongly prefers capital projects, particularly learning spaces. Revenue/operational funding is rarely available.
  • Size matters: For learning spaces, organizations must have annual turnover under £5 million - ideal for small to mid-sized institutions.
  • Children and young people focus: Applications must demonstrate clear benefit to children, young people, or vulnerable individuals through cultural engagement.
  • Quality and excellence: The Foundation values “world class cultural organisations” and “best opportunities” - emphasize excellence and transformative impact.
  • Long-term relationships: The Foundation conducts site visits and requires twice-yearly reporting, indicating preference for ongoing relationships over one-off grants.
  • Strategic timing: Plan applications around the twice-yearly trustee meetings, with submissions needed 6 weeks in advance. Contact the Foundation early to discuss eligibility and timing.

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References