The Downing Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. Don't spend time on an approach; the similar funders below support the same kind of work.
Key takeaways
- The Downing Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, so a small charity should not send it an application.
- The causes it supports are chosen by staff, trustees and directors of the Downing LLP group, so the only route the annual report describes is an invitation, which means a connection to that group is the realistic first step.
- Its annual giving figure is £326,486, and it supports c.3 charities at a time, so any hope of support should be realistic.
- No grant range, geographic focus or timing is stated, so do not assume an area restriction beyond its registration across England and Wales.
- Competition is hard to judge, but a process run through the Downing LLP group suggests that an unrequested approach is unlikely to succeed.
Overview
The Downing Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1188487).
The Downing Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, charity number 1188487. It raises funds and makes donations and grants to charitable causes, with the causes chosen by staff of the Downing LLP group alongside its trustees and directors. Its annual giving was £326,486, and it supports c.3 charities at a time.
What they fund
Profile based on the charity's Charity Commission register entry and annual report (year to 31 May 2025) only: no website or other web source for the charity was found. Every statement is checked against them. Sources read on 24 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation raises funds and provides donations and grants to charitable causes chosen by the staff of the Downing LLP group. Its donations are used for onward donation to charitable causes chosen by the trustees and the directors and staff of Downing LLP. The foundation channels funds to charitable causes through this selection process. Staff, trustees and directors take part in choosing the causes that receive support. Its stated approach combines fundraising, onward donations and decisions by people in the Downing LLP group about which charitable causes to support.
How to apply
The charities receiving support are elected by employees of Downing LLP. The annual report says donations are used for charitable causes chosen by the trustees and the directors and staff of Downing LLP.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- Staff of the Downing LLP group choose the charitable causes supported, alongside the trustees and Downing LLP directors and staff choosing onward donations.
Where they fund
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to The Downing Foundation.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 May 2021 | £7,337 | £7,337 | — | Accounts for year to 31 May 2021 |
| year to 31 May 2022 | £28,636 | £8,569 | — | Accounts for year to 31 May 2022 |
| year to 31 May 2023 | £118,597 | £26,119 | — | Accounts for year to 31 May 2023 |
| year to 31 May 2024 | £11,723 | £52,303 | — | Accounts for year to 31 May 2024 |
| year to 31 May 2025 | £439,139 | £333,885 | £326,486 | Accounts for year to 31 May 2025 |
- Grants paid, year to 31 May 2025: the accounts do not say whether this is grants awarded or paid.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
- Annual report (year to 31 May 2025)
This profile rests on the charity’s filed accounts and register entry only, so check with the funder directly before applying.
Sources last checked on 24 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to The Downing Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- anna.napolitano@downing.co.uksource
- Downing Llp, 10 Lower Thames Street, LONDON, EC3R 6AFsource
Applying to The Downing Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- anna.napolitano@downing.co.uksource
- Downing Llp, 10 Lower Thames Street, LONDON, EC3R 6AFsource