The De Laszlo Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,093,809 (2024)
• Total Funds: £4,797,000
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: £3,000 - Variable (individual scholarships to institutional partnerships)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with emphasis on London arts institutions

Contact Details

Address: 5 Albany Courtyard, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0HF

Phone: 020 7437 1982

Email: damon@delaszlo.com

Charity Number: 327383

Note: The Foundation does not appear to have a public website or open application portal. Contact directly for inquiries.

Overview

Established in 1987 by Damon de Laszlo CBE, The De Laszlo Foundation preserves and promotes the legacy of portrait painter Philip de László (1869-1937), who painted more royal sitters than any other artist in history. With total funds of £4.8 million and annual charitable spending exceeding £1 million, the Foundation supports education and research across arts, science, economics, and medicine. The Foundation operates through strategic partnerships with established institutions rather than open grant rounds, focusing on bursaries, scholarships, awards, and institutional positions that advance visual arts education, art conservation, and research across multiple disciplines. Chair Damon de Laszlo was awarded a CBE in 2025 for services to the Manufacturing Industry and to Scientific and Charitable Causes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates through established institutional partnerships rather than open competitive grants:

• Royal Society of Portrait Painters Award: £3,000 plus silver medal annually for best portrait by artist under 35
• London Fine Art Studios Scholarships: Minimum of three annual bursaries for promising artists; available only to current students who have completed minimum three consecutive terms
• City & Guilds of London Art School: Three-year sponsorship of Senior Woodcarving Tutor position; scholarship grants for stone carving and woodcarving students; student prizes
• Watts Gallery Conservation Fellow: Support for early-career conservators working with internationally recognised collection
• Individual Support: PhD students, university scholarships for talented individuals, and artist residencies at schools

Priority Areas

Visual Arts (Primary Focus)

• Portrait painting and figurative art training
• Art conservation and restoration
• Scholarships for visual arts students
• Artist-in-residence programs

Cross-Disciplinary Research and Education

• Scientific research and apprentice schemes in engineering
• Medical research projects
• Economics research
• Support for individuals pursuing higher education who otherwise could not afford it

What They Don't Fund

Based on the Foundation's activities, they appear not to fund:

• General operating costs for organisations outside established partnerships
• Projects unrelated to their core mission areas
• International projects (focus is England and Wales)
• Large capital campaigns
• Individual applicants outside established scholarship programs

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Damon Patrick de Laszlo CBE (appointed 1987)

The Foundation is governed by four trustees and maintains unrestricted reserves of £3,164,304, representing 34 months of spending—a strong financial position ensuring sustainability. Damon de Laszlo sits on multiple boards including the Economic Research Council, Bradshaw Foundation, and de Laszlo Archive Trust, bringing extensive connections across business, science, and arts sectors.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation does not appear to operate an open application process or public grants portal. Funding appears to be delivered through:

1. Established Institutional Partnerships: Pre-existing relationships with organisations such as City & Guilds of London Art School, Royal Society of Portrait Painters, London Fine Art Studios, and Watts Gallery

• Completed minimum enrollment period
• Statement of Intent (500 words) explaining how funds will be spent and aid development
• Portfolio of work demonstrating progress
• Applications reviewed by institution in partnership with Foundation

1. Direct Contact: For organisations seeking partnership, contact via email (damon@delaszlo.com) or phone (020 7437 1982)

Decision Timeline

• London Fine Art Studios Scholarships: Candidates notified within six weeks of application deadline
• Other Programs: Timeline not publicly specified; likely varies by program and partnership

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The Foundation appears to operate through targeted partnerships rather than competitive open grant rounds, suggesting a strategic, invitation-based approach.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Positioning

The Foundation's approach suggests several key success factors:

1. Institutional Relationships Are Key

The Foundation works through established partnerships with recognised institutions. Direct institutional affiliations appear more valuable than individual unsolicited applications.

2. Alignment with Philip de László Legacy

Projects or individuals working in portraiture, figurative art, or art conservation have clear alignment with the Foundation's core mission to preserve and promote the legacy of Philip de László.

3. Evidence of Excellence and Potential

Scholarship recipients have gone on to “win awards, host solo exhibitions and secure representation,” suggesting the Foundation looks for emerging talent with demonstrable potential for professional success.

4. Cross-Disciplinary Innovation

While arts-focused, the Foundation supports science, engineering, medical research, and economics—suggesting interest in interdisciplinary approaches or exceptional talent across fields.

5. Youth and Early-Career Focus

Many programs target artists under 35, students, PhD candidates, and early-career professionals, indicating preference for investing in emerging talent rather than established practitioners.

Recent Examples

• 2025 Portrait Award: Jacob Skinnard won with 'Familiar Faces'
• 2024 Portrait Award: Stefano Curti won with 'Lukas Sheehan'; Joshua Donkor runner-up with 'Worlds Apart'
• Conservation Fellow Sally Marriott at Watts Gallery continues supporting development of conservation skills

Foundation Language and Values

From available materials, the Foundation values:

• “Encouraging young practitioners to develop their skills and broaden their horizons”
• “Springboard these artists into the professional sphere”
• Acting as “a vote of confidence” for emerging talent
• Supporting those “who could not afford to go to university”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Strategic Partnership Model: This Foundation operates through institutional partnerships, not open grants. Building relationships with partner institutions (City & Guilds, London Fine Art Studios, Royal Society of Portrait Painters) may be the most viable pathway.

1. Mission Alignment Is Critical: Strong preference for visual arts, particularly portraiture and figurative art in keeping with Philip de László's legacy. Conservation and restoration of artworks also central.

1. Early-Career Focus: Programs heavily target emerging talent—artists under 35, current students, early-career conservators, PhD candidates. Demonstrated potential matters more than established track record.

1. Quality Over Quantity: With £1.1 million in annual charitable spending distributed through selective partnerships rather than broad grant-making, the Foundation makes strategic, high-value investments in carefully chosen individuals and institutions.

1. Cross-Disciplinary Opportunities: While arts-focused, the Foundation's broader mission encompasses science, medicine, economics—interdisciplinary projects may find support if aligned with advancement of education and research.

1. Direct Contact Recommended: Absence of public application portal suggests direct contact (damon@delaszlo.com) is appropriate for organisations exploring partnership opportunities. Be prepared to demonstrate institutional credibility and mission alignment.

1. Long-Term Commitment: Programs like three-year sponsorship of the Senior Woodcarving Tutor position indicate preference for sustained impact over one-off grants.

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales. “THE DE LASZLO FOUNDATION - Charity Overview (327383).” Register of Charities.. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=327383&subId=0

1. Giving is Great. “THE DE LASZLO FOUNDATION | Charity Factsheet.”. https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=327383

1. The Royal Society of Portrait Painters. “The De Laszlo Foundation Award.”. https://therp.co.uk/portfolio/the-de-laszlo-foundation-award/

1. London Fine Art Studios. “Philip De Laszlo” and “De Laszlo Scholarship.”. https://londonfineartstudios.com/de-laszlo-trust/ and https://londonfineartstudios.com/de-laszlo-fine-art-scholarship/

1. City & Guilds of London Art School. “The de Laszlo Senior Woodcarving Tutor.”. https://www.cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk/delaszlo/

1. The de Laszlo Archive Trust. “About us | Connections.”. https://www.delaszlocatalogueraisonne.com/about-us/connections

1. University of Durham. “Damon de Laszlo Master of Science Durham Cathedral, 11 January 2019.” Honorary Award Oration.. https://www.dur.ac.uk/media/durham-university/about-us/oration-for-honorary-awards/delaszlo_honorary.pdf

1. Harwin. "Damon de Laszlo Awarded CBE in King's Birthday Honours.". https://www.harwin.com/blog/damon-de-laszlo-cbe