The Connolly Foundation (uk) Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £2,000,000 (target)
• Total Awarded to Date: £13+ million (since 2007)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £750,000+
• Geographic Focus: Bedfordshire (Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton)

Contact Details

Website: www.connollyfoundation.org.uk

Email: enquiry@connollyfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 01525 872014

Address: Manor Farm Court, Lower Sundon, Luton, Bedfordshire LU3 3NZ

Chief Executive Officer: David Oldham (david.oldham@connollyfoundation.org.uk)

Overview

Established in 2007 by Irish immigrants Michael and Kathleen Connolly, The Connolly Foundation has become a major charitable force in Bedfordshire, distributing over £13 million since inception. Michael founded the successful house-building company Connolly Homes, while Kathleen served on Luton Borough Council. Their foundation aims to donate £2 million annually to meet “the changing needs of young and older people in Bedfordshire.” The charity operates with a strong focus on controlling overhead costs to ensure maximum impact, channeling grants through charitable organizations and directly to beneficiaries. The foundation's mission is rooted in the founders' own experiences as young immigrants seeking to provide “meaningful assistance to those in need.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two primary funding streams:

1. Education & Young People

• Student Bursaries: Up to £2,500 for degree or apprenticeship funding
• Academic Excellence Awards: Up to £1,000 annually (renewable each year at university)
• School Support Grants: Up to £3,000 annually to help year 12-13 pupils access leading universities and degree apprenticeships
• Capital Projects: Major grants from £55,000 - £750,000+ for education infrastructure
• Application Method: Online application form for organizations; email for returning student award recipients

2. Support for Older People

• Hospice Care: Grants from £50,000 - £60,000 for palliative care services
• Community Transport: Funding for buses and transport services for older residents
• Health Promotion: Supporting health initiatives for elderly populations
• IT Support: Technology access for older people
• Addressing Loneliness/Isolation: Community programs reducing social isolation
• Application Method: Online application form via website

Priority Areas

Young People:

• University and further education bursaries, particularly for Russell Group universities
• STEM education and engineering apprenticeships
• School infrastructure and sixth form development
• Wellness and wellbeing programs
• Raising aspirations for disadvantaged youth
• Apprenticeship schemes, especially in engineering and construction
• Teacher training incentives (£1,000 grants plus subsidized accommodation)

Older People:

• End-of-life care and hospice services
• Community transport reducing isolation
• Health promotion and wellness
• Technology training and access
• Residential and nursing care support

Recent Major Grants Include:

• £750,000+ to Bedford College for Connolly Centre for Modern Construction
• £200,000 to Van Dyke Upper School for sixth form building
• £90,000 to Central Bedfordshire College for engineering campus in Leighton Buzzard
• £60,000 to Sue Ryder St John's Hospice supporting 2,600+ people annually
• £55,000 over three years to Working Options in Education

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed on the website. However, the foundation's focus is strictly on:

• Organizations and projects based in Bedfordshire
• Young people's education and development
• Older people's welfare and dignity

Individual grants are only available through school partnerships for student awards. Direct individual applications for organizations are not accepted without completing the formal application process.

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Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive Officer:

• David Oldham - Chartered Accountant (qualified 1986), with 20 years' experience as Finance Director in the not-for-profit sector. Joined the foundation in 2021.

Trustees:

• Mostaque Koyes - Luton-based business owner (print and marketing), ambassador and supporter of Luton Town Football Club
• Amar Lakhani - Head of Design & Technical Engineering from Chesham, passionate about giving back to the community
• Bren McGowan - Luton resident with policy and health policy background, focused on supporting local organizations
• Malcolm Groves - Education specialist leading “Schools of Tomorrow” initiative, based near Peterborough
• David Wilkins - Former Head of Construction at Bedford College, senior leadership role in Bedford College Group, oversaw development of £4.5m Connolly Building
• Vanessa Connolly - Former CEO of Bedfordshire Citizens Housing Association, brings expertise in services for older people
• Yvonne Ashby - Strategic Hub Lead at South Midlands Careers Hub, background in careers guidance

Recent Leadership Change:

Mick Callanan, who served as Managing Director of Connolly Homes Ltd and Chair of the Connolly Foundation for 50 years, stepped down in early 2025. David Oldham has assumed expanded responsibilities as Chief Executive.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizations:

• Organization Details: Name, address, contact information, organization type, staffing/volunteer numbers, financial information
• Project Details: Funding stream (young people/old people/communities), project dates, local area of impact, funding needs, other potential funding sources
• Impact Assessment: Number of beneficiaries, primary beneficiary group, impact measurement methods, barriers addressed, age groups served
• Budget and Consent: Detailed budget breakdown, total funding requested, consent for follow-up and potential publicity

For Students:

• Student award applications are coordinated through eighteen partner secondary schools in Bedfordshire
• Students with previous Connolly Achievement Awards should email enquiry@connollyfoundation.org.uk to apply for subsequent years

Important: Read the Grant Giving Policy (referenced on the application page) before applying. The Foundation never awards grants without a formal application being submitted.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. For student bursaries, money is typically transferred at the end of October or beginning of November.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. However, given the foundation's annual target of £2 million in grants and their substantial capital projects, they appear to make both numerous small grants and fewer large-scale awards.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published on the website. Contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

The foundation prioritizes projects that:

• Directly serve young people in Bedfordshire seeking educational opportunities, particularly in STEM fields
• Support older people to “live in comfort and with dignity”
• Address specific local needs within Bedfordshire communities
• Demonstrate clear, measurable impact on beneficiaries
• Align with the foundation's emphasis on education, engineering, construction, healthcare, and community transport

Successful Project Examples

Large Capital Grants:

• Education infrastructure (sixth form buildings, specialist centers)
• Engineering and construction training facilities
• Community transport vehicles

Service Delivery Grants:

• Hospice and palliative care programs serving thousands
• Multi-year programs (e.g., three-year grants for sustained impact)
• School partnership programs reaching multiple institutions

Individual Support:

• Academic excellence awards for university students
• Apprenticeship funding, particularly in technical fields
• Teacher training incentives

Key Success Factors

1. Geographic Focus: Must serve Bedfordshire communities (Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton)
2. Clear Beneficiary Groups: Explicitly target young people OR older people
3. Partnership Approach: The foundation values working through established organizations and schools
4. Measurable Impact: Be prepared to demonstrate how you'll measure outcomes and beneficiary numbers
5. Overhead Efficiency: The foundation emphasizes keeping costs low and maximizing funds for direct service delivery
6. Long-term Relationships: Evidence suggests the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with successful grantees (e.g., Bedford College, multiple schools)
7. Publicity Willingness: Applicants must consent to participate in potential publicity about funded projects

Language and Priorities

The foundation consistently uses terminology around:

• “Raising aspirations” for young people
• “Academic excellence” and “Russell Group universities”
• “Living in comfort and with dignity” for older people
• “Meeting the changing needs” of communities
• Practical skills training, particularly engineering and construction

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Focus on Bedfordshire only - This is a strictly local funder. Applications outside Bedfordshire will not be considered.

1. Scale appropriately - The foundation funds across a wide range from £1,000 student awards to £750,000+ capital projects. Don't be afraid to request significant funding for major capital needs if aligned with education or older people's services.

1. Emphasize efficiency and direct impact - Demonstrate how your project minimizes overhead and maximizes direct benefit to young or older people. The founders' philosophy emphasizes “money spent on projects and not overheads.”

1. Build partnerships - The foundation works through established relationships with schools, colleges, and service organizations. If possible, connect your application to existing education or care providers in Bedfordshire.

1. Consider multi-year asks - Evidence of three-year grants suggests the foundation is open to sustained funding relationships for proven programs.

1. Demonstrate measurement - Be specific about beneficiary numbers, impact metrics, and how you'll track outcomes. Recent grants cite specific numbers (e.g., “2,600+ people,” “15,000 home visits”).

1. Align with engineering/construction focus - While not exclusive, the foundation shows strong interest in engineering, construction, and technical education reflecting the founders' business background in house building.

References

1. The Connolly Foundation website - Home page. www.connollyfoundation.org.uk
2. The Connolly Foundation - About Us page. www.connollyfoundation.org.uk/about-us/
3. The Connolly Foundation - How to Apply page. www.connollyfoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/
4. The Connolly Foundation - Chief Officers & Trustees page. www.connollyfoundation.org.uk/chief-officers-trustees/
5. The Connolly Foundation - News page. www.connollyfoundation.org.uk/news/
6. Charity Commission Register - The Connolly Foundation (UK) Limited, Charity Number 1109135. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4013439
7. Bedford Independent - “Bedfordshire charity awards £60,000 grant to local hospice” (2024)
8. Bedford Today - "The sky's the limit for engineering training at the Shuttleworth Collection" (2024)
9. Vandyke Upper School - The Connolly Foundation Bursary information. https://vandyke.beds.sch.uk/sixth-form/connolly-foundation/
10. Bedford College Group - “Leighton Buzzard engineering relaunch - with contribution from Connolly Foundation” (2024)