The Cynara Foundation
Charity Number: 1165220
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: Approx £100,000
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: Not publicly available
- Geographic Focus: International (20 countries in Africa and Asia)
Contact Details
Email: charities.hwam@handelsbanken.co.uk
Phone: 01892701801
Address: Heartwood Wealth Management, 77 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 8BS
Overview
The Cynara Foundation is a UK registered charity (number 1165220) established in 2016 with the mission of preventing and relieving global poverty. The foundation provides grants to both individuals in need and organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty. The foundation focuses its efforts across 20 countries primarily in Africa and Asia. The charity is managed through Heartwood Wealth Management (which rebranded to Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management in 2020), suggesting a private foundation structure with professional wealth management support. The foundation maintains compliance with HMRC Gift Aid regulations.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation provides two types of grants:
- Grants to individuals in need
- Grants to charities and organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty
Priority Areas
- Poverty prevention and relief
- International development
- Support for vulnerable individuals in developing countries
Geographic Focus
The foundation operates in 20 countries including:
- Africa: Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Togo
- Asia: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Pakistan, Vietnam

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Governance and Leadership
The foundation is governed by trustees including:
- Veronica Eng (Chair) - Appointed 2015
Additional trustees are listed but could not be independently verified from public sources.
No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.
How to Apply to The Cynara Foundation
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded at the discretion of the trustees. Organisations interested in funding should contact the foundation directly through Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management.
Getting on Their Radar
As a private foundation managed through a wealth management firm, potential beneficiaries may need to:
- Contact the foundation directly via the provided email and phone number
- Work through intermediaries who have existing relationships with the trustees
- Be identified through the trustees' networks in international development
Application Success Factors
Given the private nature of this foundation:
- Direct contact through the provided email and phone number is essential
- Organisations working in the foundation's 20 focus countries may have better alignment
- Demonstrable poverty relief impact in Africa or Asia appears crucial
- Management through professional wealth managers indicates strategic giving approach
- Organisations already operating in the listed countries have clear geographic alignment
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- This is a private foundation without a public application process - direct relationship building is essential
- The foundation focuses exclusively on poverty relief in specific developing countries
- Annual giving suggests multiple grants rather than single large awards
- Management through a wealth management firm indicates professional oversight and potential for strategic giving
- Organisations already operating in the 20 listed countries have clear geographic alignment
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- Altaf And Sheela Gatrad Charity Foundation
- Elara Foundation
- Halcrow Foundation
- The Breadsticks Foundation
- Goodwill Foundation
- The Neon Foundation
- Haji Bashir Ahmed Foundation
- The Markawasi Foundation
- The Devchandbhai & Kankuben Foundation
- Think Charitable Foundation
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References
- Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1165220
- Giving is Great Charity Database: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1165220
- NGO Explorer: https://ngoexplorer.org/charity/1165220
- Find That Charity: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1165220
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