The Dixon Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2-4 weeks after quarterly trustee review
• Grant Range: Up to £25,000 per grant; up to £100,000 per investment
• Geographic Focus: UK-based with global environmental focus

Contact Details

Website: www.thedixonfoundation.org.uk

Email: thedixonfoundation@oxygenhouse.com

Phone: 01392 440 400

Address: Oxygen House, Grenadier Road, Exeter, EX1 3LH

Charity Number: 1189898

Company Number: 12572438

Overview

The Dixon Foundation is a UK-based environmental grant-making charity established as charity number 1189898. The foundation focuses on "nurturing positive change for the planet's future“ by supporting initiatives that help ”people and our natural world flourish together.“ They fund impact-driven organisations that address environmental challenges through their three key thematic areas: Restoring Land, Reviving Aquatic Systems, and Scaling Sustainability. The foundation describes itself as ”curious, collaborative and driven by a deep sense of urgency to regenerate our planet," seeking radical, scalable and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.

The foundation typically awards up to £25,000 per grant and up to £100,000 per investment. They note that they are still experimenting with different funding sums they offer. The foundation is open-minded and flexible, supporting organisations of different sizes, structures and types, from registered charities to social enterprises, Community Interest Companies, and for-profit companies.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate traditional grant programmes but instead works through strategic challenges:

• Water Conservation: Supporting marine project collaboration and scaling restoration efforts
• Circularity: Growing repair and reuse mechanisms
• Land Stewardship: Increasing access to nature
• Ocean Restoration: Accelerating conservation through regulatory innovation

Priority Areas

• Environmental conservation and restoration
• Marine and aquatic system protection
• Circular economy initiatives (repair and reuse)
• Land stewardship and nature access
• Collaborative solutions that reduce conservation silos
• Projects with demonstrable, measurable impact

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus suggests they do not fund:

• Non-environmental causes
• Individual beneficiaries
• General operating support unrelated to environmental impact
• Projects without clear impact measurement frameworks

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Governance and Leadership

Specific trustee and leadership information is not publicly available on their website. The foundation maintains its registered office at Oxygen House in Exeter and operates as both a registered charity and limited company.

How to Apply to The Dixon Foundation

How to Apply

This funder does not accept unsolicited funding requests. They explicitly state they “do not currently accept unsolicited requests for funding” and instead use their network to identify and invite organisations of all sizes, types and stages to apply.

However, if organisations strongly believe their work aligns with one of the foundation's current challenges and they are not yet in contact, they can submit a short introductory message via the contact form to introduce themselves and their work. If the work aligns with their challenges, the foundation will schedule a discussion.

Once invited, applicants submit a full proposal detailing how they will carry out their project. Applicants may design their own proposal, reuse one written for another funder, or request a template from the foundation. Successful proposals are put before the Board of Trustees each quarter for consideration.

Decision Timeline

• Trustees review proposals quarterly
• Decision notification: 2-4 weeks after review
• Successful applicants receive email notification and grant agreement
• Funds released after contract signing

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Not specified

Application Success Factors

The foundation emphasises several key factors for successful engagement:

• “We are looking for evidence you can make a demonstrable impact” - proposals must include objective measurement methods
• Provide detailed success metrics and clear impact measurement frameworks
• Include an “impact journey story” showing how the project will create change
• Demonstrate alignment with their specific environmental challenges
• Show potential for scalability and systemic change
• Focus on collaborative approaches that reduce conservation silos
• The foundation looks for organisations with a passionate team of environmental champions who put earth care and people care at the heart of their mission

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Dixon Foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests - organisations must be invited to apply
• Build relationships through the initial contact form if your work aligns with their challenges
• Grants typically range up to £25,000; investments up to £100,000
• Focus on environmental projects with measurable, scalable impact
• Emphasise collaborative approaches and systemic solutions
• Prepare detailed impact metrics and measurement frameworks
• Align proposals with their strategic challenge areas
• Be prepared for quarterly review cycles with 2-4 week decision timelines
• The foundation is flexible and supports various types of organisations (charities, social enterprises, CICs, for-profit companies)

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Uk National Parks Charity Foundation
• The Drw Foundation
• The David Family Foundation
• 10 % For The Ocean
• Tara Getty Foundation
• Peter Dubens Family Foundation
• The Ds Smith Charitable Foundation
• Imagine Foundation
• The Regatta Foundation
• The Kreitman Foundation

References

• The Dixon Foundation official website: www.thedixonfoundation.org.uk
• Application page: www.thedixonfoundation.org.uk/apply
• How We Work page: www.thedixonfoundation.org.uk/how-we-work
• Challenges page: www.thedixonfoundation.org.uk/challenges
• Contact page: www.thedixonfoundation.org.uk/contact
• UK Charity Commission registration number 1189898