The Dow Clewer Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~£267,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not specified
• Geographic Focus: UK, Southern Africa (Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia), and United States

Contact Details

• Address: Suite 1 Staple House, Eleanors Cross, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 1SU
• Phone: 020 7073 9267
• Email: DowClewerFoundation@gmail.com
• Website: None publicly listed

Overview

The Dow Clewer Foundation is a charitable company incorporated on 29 September 2020 and registered with the Charity Commission on 19 February 2021 (charity number 1193608). The foundation operates as a family-led grant-making trust with broad charitable objectives, allowing trustees discretion to support causes they deem appropriate.

The foundation's stated objects are “restricted specifically to the advancement of such charitable purposes (according to the law of England and Wales) as the trustees see fit from time to time in particular but not exclusively through the making of grants.” This provides the trustees with significant flexibility in determining funding priorities.

With annual income and expenditure of approximately £267,000, the foundation operates as a micro-entity. The foundation makes grants to both individuals and organisations, with a notable international focus spanning the UK, Southern African nations, and the United States. One trustee, Robert James Dow, also serves as a Board Trustee for the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, indicating connections to the arts and cultural sector.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not publicise specific named grant programs. Grants are made at trustee discretion across various charitable purposes.

Priority Areas

Based on available data, the foundation supports:

• Culture and Art - Potentially including classical music and performing arts
• Education and Courses - Educational initiatives and training
• Humanitarian and Disaster Relief - Emergency response and aid
• Animal Welfare - Support for animal-related causes
• Poverty Alleviation - Initiatives addressing economic disadvantage
• Non-profit and Charitable Initiatives - General charitable support

Geographic Focus

• UK: Throughout England, Wales, and Scotland
• Africa: Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
• North America: United States

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are publicly documented. However, as a family foundation with discretionary grant-making, funding decisions are likely based on trustee interests and relationships.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees/Directors

• Robert James Dow (Chairman) - Appointed 2020, born June 1962. Also serves as Board Trustee for the Academy of St Martin in the Fields
• Dr Dawn Clewer - Appointed 2020, born October 1962
• Patrick Noble Dow - Appointed 2020, born May 1997
• Ella Ann Dow - Appointed 2020, born November 1999

Company Secretary

• Hugh John Williams - Appointed February 2022

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The foundation appears to be a family-run organisation with the Dow and Clewer families providing governance.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation does not publicise application procedures, forms, or deadlines. Grants appear to be made at the discretion of the trustees based on causes and organisations known to them.

For enquiries, contact the foundation directly:

• Email: DowClewerFoundation@gmail.com
• Phone: 020 7073 9267

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a small family foundation, decisions are likely made when trustees meet, without published schedules.

Success Rates

No data available on application volumes or success rates.

Reapplication Policy

No published policy.

Application Success Factors

Given the lack of a formal application process, success with this funder likely depends on:

1. Personal Connection - Grants appear to be made to causes known to the trustees. Building relationships with the Dow and Clewer families or their networks may be essential.

1. Alignment with Trustee Interests - The trustees' personal interests in areas such as culture/arts (given Robert Dow's involvement with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields), education, and Southern Africa appear to guide funding decisions.

1. Geographic Relevance - Projects operating in the UK, Southern Africa (particularly Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia), or the United States align with the foundation's stated areas of operation.

1. Clear Charitable Purpose - Given the foundation's broad objects, demonstrating clear charitable benefit within any of their priority areas is important.

1. Individual and Organisational Support - The foundation makes grants to both individuals and organisations, so personal educational or humanitarian needs may also be considered.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - This is a discretionary family foundation without published application procedures
• Direct contact is the only route - Enquiries should be made via email (DowClewerFoundation@gmail.com) or phone to explore potential fit
• Strong international focus - The foundation has a distinctive interest in Southern African countries alongside UK operations
• Arts and culture connection - The Chairman's role with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields suggests potential alignment with cultural and artistic causes
• Small but active foundation - With ~£267,000 annual expenditure, grants are likely modest but the foundation is actively distributing funds
• Family-led governance - Building relationships with the trustees or their networks is likely the most effective route to funding
• Grants to individuals possible - Unlike many foundations, this trust supports both organisations and individuals

References

• Charity Commission - The Dow Clewer Foundation -
• Companies House - The Dow Clewer Foundation -
• Find That Charity - The Dow Clewer Foundation -
• NGO Explorer - The Dow Clewer Foundation -
• Fundraiso - The Dow Clewer Foundation -
• Endole - The Dow Clewer Foundation Company Profile -
• Charity Choice - The Dow Clewer Foundation -