The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £289,054 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly trustee meetings (rolling applications)
• Grant Range: £500 - £50,000
• Geographic Focus: Berkshire and surrounding counties (Hampshire, Wiltshire, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire)

Contact Details

Website: www.dbcf.com

Email: abarfield@havishamgroup.com

Phone: 07809 391325

Registered Charity Number: 1144254

Chief Executive: Alexander Barfield

Overview

The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation was established in 2013 by Lord Brownlow CVO DL, a British entrepreneur, philanthropist, and member of the House of Lords. The foundation is a grant-giving charity dedicated to enhancing the lives and wellbeing of individuals and communities where there is an element of disadvantage, through personal development such as education, the provision of new equipment, or the improvement and regeneration of their community. Operating primarily in Berkshire and surrounding counties, the foundation has distributed approximately £289,054 in grants during its most recent financial year (ending September 2024). Lord Brownlow has personally granted over £12 million to charitable causes over the past decade, both personally and through his foundation. The foundation is governed by four trustees who receive no remuneration for their service.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two distinct grant streams:

Small Grants Programme: £500 - £5,000 (typical range)

• Annual budget of approximately £100,000 for small grants
• Rolling application process with no fixed deadlines
• Focus on regional charities in Berkshire and surrounding counties
• Applications assessed regularly throughout the year

Large Grants Programme: Approximately £50,000 per grant

• Around eight large grants awarded annually
• Total large grants budget of £300,000-£400,000 per year
• Typically awarded to organisations the trustees know well
• Requires established relationship with the foundation

Priority Areas

The foundation supports projects that:

• Address disadvantage in individuals and communities
• Promote personal development through education
• Provide new equipment for charitable purposes
• Support improvement and regeneration of communities
• Focus on local Berkshire causes and regional charities
• Benefit registered charities, voluntary organisations, schools, or amateur sports clubs

Examples of funded projects:

• Polehampton Junior School: £20,000 towards 'Buy a Brick' campaign for new classroom construction, providing space for one-on-one contact sessions, quiet reading, and cooking facilities
• The Link Visiting Scheme, Wokingham: £5,000 to reduce loneliness and improve health and wellbeing of elderly residents
• RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2014: Sponsored 'Hope on the Horizon' show garden in aid of Help for Heroes
• Into Mobility Project (since 2013): Funding electric wheelchairs and scooters for residents in need in Twyford and Ruscombe, Berkshire

What They Don't Fund

• General running costs or core costs (including salaries)
• National charities (focus is on regional organisations)
• Organisations outside their geographic focus areas (unless exceptional circumstances)

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Governance and Leadership

Founder and Trustee: The Rt Hon The Lord Brownlow CVO DL (David Brownlow)

• British entrepreneur, philanthropist, and member of the House of Lords
• Deputy Lieutenant for Berkshire
• Patron of multiple charities including The Royal Osteoporosis Society, Dingley's Promise, and The Royal Drawing School
• Life Patron of The Landmark Trust
• Founding Patron of The Royal Albert Hall's President's Circle
• Vice-President of Berkshire Community Foundation
• Ambassador for Thames Hospice

Chief Executive: Alexander Barfield

• Has served as Chief Executive since the foundation's inception in 2013
• Contact: abarfield@havishamgroup.com

Trustee: Edward

• Over 20 years of experience as a trustee of numerous charities and trusts
• Member of the Charity Law Association
• Read classics at Cambridge University
• Partner at Macfarlanes LLP law firm

Trustee: Nicola

• Joined as trustee in February 2019
• Previously served as David Brownlow's PA at The Havisham Group and Huntswood for 3 years

The foundation has four trustees in total, none of whom receive remuneration or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. The process is straightforward:

1. Initial Contact: Send a brief outline of your organisation's work via email to assess eligibility
2. Email Applications: Applications may be submitted via email (postal applications accepted if email access is unavailable)
3. Contact Email: abarfield@havishamgroup.com
4. Geographic Eligibility: Applications accepted from Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Surrey, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire
5. Organisation Type: Must be a registered charity, voluntary organisation, school, or amateur sports club
6. Focus Required: Must support individuals or communities where there is an element of disadvantage

Important: There is no need to contact the foundation to ask for the next meeting date - applications are assessed regularly throughout the year.

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Quarterly
• Assessment Frequency: Applications assessed regularly on a rolling basis
• Notification: Specific timelines not publicly disclosed, but the quarterly meeting schedule provides a general framework

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed by the foundation.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy is not explicitly stated on public materials. Given the rolling application process, unsuccessful applicants may wish to contact the foundation directly to discuss reapplication timing.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funded projects and stated priorities, grant writers should consider the following when preparing applications:

Geographic Focus: The foundation shows a strong preference for Berkshire-based organisations, with surrounding counties also eligible. Applications from national charities are unlikely to succeed. Demonstrate strong local roots and community impact within the target geographic area.

Disadvantage Element: All funded projects must address an element of disadvantage. Clearly articulate how your project supports individuals or communities experiencing disadvantage, whether through lack of mobility, social isolation, educational barriers, or community degradation.

Capital and Project Funding: The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in funding tangible outcomes - equipment purchases (electric wheelchairs, scooters), capital projects (classroom construction), and specific initiatives with measurable outputs. Avoid requests for core costs, salaries, or general running expenses.

Relationship Building for Large Grants: The foundation's website explicitly states that larger grants “may be made to organisations which the Trustees know well.” For grants approaching £50,000, having an established relationship with the foundation or trustees is important. Consider starting with a small grant application to build the relationship.

Personal Development and Education: Projects that promote personal development through education align well with the foundation's mission. Examples include educational facilities, schemes that combat isolation through relationship-building, and initiatives that enhance individual mobility and independence.

Clear, Concise Applications: The foundation requests "a brief outline of your organisation's work" for initial contact. Keep applications clear, focused, and concise, highlighting the element of disadvantage you're addressing and the tangible outcomes your project will achieve.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Start small: If seeking a large grant (£50,000), consider building a relationship through the small grants programme (£500-£5,000) first, as large grants are typically awarded to organisations trustees know well
• Geographic alignment is critical: Berkshire organisations have the strongest chance of success, with surrounding counties also eligible. National charities are unlikely to be funded
• Focus on capital and project costs: The foundation explicitly states it does not fund core costs or salaries. Applications should focus on equipment, capital projects, or specific initiatives with tangible outcomes
• Emphasise disadvantage: Every application must clearly demonstrate how it addresses an element of disadvantage in individuals or communities
• Rolling applications work in your favour: With no fixed deadlines and quarterly trustee meetings, you can apply when your project is ready rather than waiting for an application window
• Keep it brief initially: The foundation requests a brief outline first to assess eligibility. Don't overwhelm them with information in initial contact
• Demonstrate local impact: Funded projects show a clear pattern of supporting specific local communities and individuals with measurable, practical outcomes

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Eight Foundation
• The Prince Philip Trust Fund
• The Syder Foundation
• The Earley Charity
• Berkshire Community Foundation
• The Greaves & Withey Foundation
• Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust Charity
• Wokingham United Charities
• The Englefield Charitable Trust
• PAYNE GALLWEY 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• The Charity Commission Register of Charities, charity number 1144254: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1144254&subid=0
• David Brownlow Charitable Foundation official website: www.dbcf.com (multiple pages including Who We Are, Can You Apply, What We Do, and Projects sections)
• Connecting Communities in Berkshire: "Funding Opportunities in May for Community & Voluntary Groups in Berkshire": https://ccberks.org.uk/2023/04/24/funding-opportunites-in-may-for-community-voluntary-groups-in-berkshire/
• Berkshire Lieutenancy: “The Rt Hon The Lord Brownlow CVO DL (David)”: https://berkshirelieutenancy.uk/deputy-lieutenants/rt-hon-the-lord-brownlow-cvo/
• Find That Charity database, GB-CHC-1144254: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1144254
• Alexander Barfield LinkedIn profile: Chief Executive of The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation