The Elma Foundation (uk)

Charity Number: 1176782

Annual Expenditure: £5.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £5.3 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: Africa and the United Kingdom
  • Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Contact Details

Registered Address: c/o Withers LLP, 16 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7EG

Parent Organization: ELMA Philanthropies

Website: https://www.elmaphilanthropies.org/elma

Phone: +1 (212) 328-8800 (ELMA Philanthropies headquarters, New York)

Note: The ELMA Foundation (UK) does not have direct contact information for grant applications as it operates on an invitation-only basis.

Overview

The ELMA Foundation (UK) was registered as a charity in England & Wales on 23 January 2018 (Charity No. 1176782) and is part of the ELMA Group of Foundations established by South African billionaire music executive Clive Calder, founder of Zomba and Jive record labels. The foundation was created in 2005 following Calder's vision to address enormous need and tremendous potential for change in Africa.

The ELMA Foundation (UK) is a pure grant-making charity supporting organizations that undertake activities to improve the lives of children in Africa and the UK. The foundation operates through ELMA Philanthropies, which provides advisory services from offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kampala, and New York. With annual expenditure of approximately £5.3 million (2024), the foundation focuses on evidence-based, strategic investments in organizations working on health, education, poverty relief, and child welfare.

The foundation is one of eight affiliated ELMA foundations (ELMA Foundation, ELMA Relief, ELMA Growth, ELMA Vaccines and Immunizations, ELMA Music, ELMA South Africa, ELMA Caribbean, and ELMA Climate), collectively distributing hundreds of millions of dollars to support children and families, with a primary focus on Africa.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The ELMA Foundation (UK) operates as part of the broader ELMA Foundation, which focuses on:

Health Workforce - Supporting training and retention of healthcare professionals serving children and families

Maternal and Newborn Health - Improving healthcare access and outcomes for mothers and newborns

Early Childhood Development - Investing in programs that support children's development from birth to age five

Adolescent Girls and Young Women - Programs addressing health, education, and economic opportunities

AIDS-Free Initiatives - Supporting HIV prevention, treatment, and care programs

Neglected Tropical Diseases - Funding interventions to prevent and treat diseases affecting vulnerable populations

Private Sector Solutions - Impact investments and partnerships with businesses that advance children's welfare

Special Opportunities - Flexible funding for emerging priorities and strategic opportunities

Priority Areas

The foundation actively funds organizations working in:

  • Child health and healthcare access in Africa and the UK
  • Education and training for disadvantaged children and youth
  • Poverty relief for children and their families
  • Community-based organizations delivering direct services to vulnerable children
  • Healthcare infrastructure development in Africa
  • Evidence-based programs with demonstrated impact
  • Local African organizations and leadership (prioritized over international NGOs)

Geographic Focus

Primary: Southern and Eastern Africa, including Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Secondary: United Kingdom (supporting children's welfare initiatives)

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation:

  • Does not accept unsolicited applications
  • Focuses exclusively on child-focused initiatives
  • Prioritizes organizations aligned with their strategic focus areas
  • Generally does not fund organizations outside Africa and the UK
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (The ELMA Foundation UK)

Clive Calder (appointed 2017) - Founder and trustee. Billionaire music executive who founded Zomba and Jive Records, responsible for launching artists including the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears. His philanthropic vision has shaped ELMA's commitment to improving outcomes for children in Africa.

Elaine Li Yi Graham (appointed 2018) - Fellow Chartered Accountant

Lance Dale Roderick (appointed 2025) - Legal Counsel

Martin Lancaster (appointed 2017)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

ELMA Philanthropies Leadership

Robyn Calder Harawi - Executive Director of ELMA Philanthropies Services. Harawi has stated that the organization intentionally operates behind the scenes: “The organization generally chooses to operate behind the scenes and let the work speak for itself.”

Tom McPartland - CEO of ELMA Philanthropies

Key Organizational Insights

The foundation operates according to eight core principles:

  1. Prioritizing local African organizations and leadership
  2. Deep engagement with partners and contexts
  3. Focus on evidence-based programs
  4. Flexibility in funding methods
  5. Portfolio approach to complex problems
  6. Partnering with other investors
  7. Long-term commitment with catalytic mindset
  8. Balancing strategy with emerging opportunities

According to the foundation's materials: “ELMA believes effective philanthropy requires deep engagement with the people, organizations, issues, and contexts in which they invest.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The ELMA Foundation (UK) does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, proactively identifying organizations that align with its strategic priorities rather than accepting unsolicited proposals.

According to multiple sources, “this funder does not appear to accept proposals, so networking will be key.” The foundation's team develops strategies, recommends grants based on their own research and due diligence, monitors investment performance, and manages strategic partnerships through their offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kampala, and New York.

Organizations cannot submit applications through any application portal or process. Instead, ELMA Philanthropies staff identify potential grantees through:

  • Strategic assessments of priority areas
  • Recommendations from existing partners
  • Research conducted by their regional teams
  • Engagement at sector events and conferences
  • Networking within the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors

Getting on Their Radar

While there is no guaranteed pathway to ELMA funding for organizations they haven't already identified, understanding their approach may be helpful:

Existing Grantee Networks: ELMA values collaboration and often connects funders, implementers, and stakeholders with one another. Organizations working in partnership with current ELMA grantees may gain visibility through these networks.

ELMA Philanthropies Offices: The foundation maintains active offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kampala, and New York. Their staff conduct on-the-ground research and relationship building in these regions, developing deep engagement with local contexts.

Sector Leadership: ELMA prioritizes organizations demonstrating excellence, evidence-based approaches, and strong local leadership. Organizations recognized as leaders in ELMA's priority areas (child health, early childhood development, adolescent health, etc.) may be more likely to come to their attention.

LinkedIn and Professional Networks: ELMA Philanthropies maintains a LinkedIn presence where they share insights about their work. Following their activities and engaging professionally within shared networks may provide opportunities for connection.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through internal strategic assessment rather than application review processes.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. All grants are made to organizations identified and invited by ELMA Philanthropies staff.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot submit initial applications or reapplications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No application pathway exists: The ELMA Foundation (UK) operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis. Traditional grant application strategies will not be effective with this funder.
  • Strategic focus on children in Africa and UK: Organizations working outside these geographic areas or with beneficiaries other than children will not align with the foundation's mission.
  • Evidence-based programming essential: ELMA makes “grants and impact investments that are guided by evaluations and evidence of progress and effectiveness.” Organizations should maintain strong monitoring and evaluation systems.
  • Local African leadership prioritized: The foundation explicitly prioritizes African institutions and change agents over international NGOs for Africa-focused work.
  • Relationship-driven grantmaking: Since ELMA identifies partners through research and networking, organizations should focus on sector leadership, excellence, and visibility within their fields rather than application preparation.
  • Collaborative approach valued: Organizations that work well in partnership with co-funders, governments, and other implementers align with ELMA's collaborative philosophy.
  • Long-term engagement: ELMA seeks sustained partnerships rather than short-term project funding, making organizational stability and strategic planning important.

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