The Finborough Foundation
Stay updated on changes from The Finborough Foundation and other funders
Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £255,000 (approx., based on 2024 expenditure)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: Not publicly available
- Geographic Focus: National (UK)
- Application Method: No public application process
Contact Details
Registered Address:
Rathbones Trust Company Ltd
Port of Liverpool Building
Pier Head
Liverpool L3 1NW
Phone: (0)151 236 6666
Website: None identified
Email: Not publicly available
Overview
The Finborough Foundation (Charity Number 1125130) is a private grant-making trust registered in England and Wales on 22 July 2008. Previously known as The Pettiward Foundation, it was renamed in 2008. The foundation is structured as a charitable company (Company Number 06446031) and is administered by Rathbones Trust Company Ltd, a professional trustee service provider. With an annual expenditure of approximately £255,000 (2024), the foundation makes grants to charitable organizations and individuals across the UK. The foundation operates through trustee discretion and does not maintain a public application process or website. The Pettiward family maintains control of the foundation through trustee positions, suggesting this is a private family foundation focused on strategic grant-making in their areas of interest.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation operates a single discretionary grant-making program without distinct funding streams. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees.
Priority Areas
The foundation makes grants in the following areas:
- Education, Arts, Science, and Medicine: Advancement of education, study, and training in the arts, sciences, and medical fields
- Environmental Conservation: Promotion of conservation, protection, and improvement of the physical and natural environment
- Homelessness Support: Relieving the charitable needs of homeless children and adults
Beneficiary Groups:
- Children and young people
- Elderly and older people
- People with disabilities
What They Don't Fund
The foundation's exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private foundation operating through trustee discretion, they likely focus on specific organizations and causes aligned with the trustees' personal interests and values.

Ready to write a winning application for The Finborough Foundation?
Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.
Governance and Leadership
The foundation is governed by five trustees from the Pettiward family:
- James Roger Pettiward - Trustee
- Anna Pettiward - Trustee
- Josephine Mary Pettiward - Trustee
- Charles Pettiward - Trustee
- Kerry Roberts - Trustee
All trustees serve without remuneration. The foundation is administered by Rathbones Trust Company Ltd, a professional trustee and wealth management firm that provides corporate trustee services to family trusts and charitable foundations across the UK.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process.
The Finborough Foundation operates as a private family foundation where grants are made at the absolute discretion of the trustees. There is no website, application form, or publicly available guidelines for unsolicited applications. Grant-making decisions are made by the Pettiward family trustees, likely based on their personal knowledge of organizations, causes they support, and relationships within their areas of interest.
Given that the foundation is administered by Rathbones Trust Company Ltd, organizations may be able to submit written inquiries to the registered address, though there is no indication that unsolicited applications are actively encouraged or reviewed.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - no public application process.
Success Rates
Not publicly available.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - no public application process.
Application Success Factors
Note: As this foundation does not accept public applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, the following insights may be relevant for organizations seeking to understand the foundation's approach:
- Trustee Discretion: All grants are made at the “absolute discretion” of the trustees, suggesting grant-making is highly strategic and aligned with family values and interests
- Focus Areas Matter: The foundation has clearly defined charitable purposes in education/arts/science, environmental conservation, and homelessness support
- Professional Administration: Use of Rathbones Trust Company Ltd suggests professional governance and due diligence standards
- Privacy-Focused: The absence of a website or public presence indicates the family prefers to make grants privately without public solicitation
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No public application process exists - this is an invitation-only funder operating through trustee discretion
- Private family foundation - the Pettiward family controls grant-making decisions through their trustee roles
- Three core funding areas: education/arts/science/medicine, environmental conservation, and homelessness support
- Moderate annual giving of approximately £250,000-£255,000 per year
- Professional administration through Rathbones Trust Company Ltd suggests proper governance standards
- Limited public information - the foundation does not publish grant recipient lists, annual reports with grant details, or strategic plans
- Contact via Rathbones - any inquiries would need to go through the registered address at Rathbones Trust Company Ltd in Liverpool
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- The Consuelo and Anthony Brooke Charitable Trust
- The Stroh Gestetner Foundation Ltd
- Lady Gould's Charity
- The Broomton Foundation
- Essex Youth Trust
- The Charterhouse Charitable Trust
- The Halpin Trust
- J A Gillett Charitable Trust
- The Tory Family Foundation
- Gitter Foundation Ltd
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
References
- UK Charity Commission Register, “The Finborough Foundation - Charity 1125130,” accessed 8 December 2025, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4037434/full-print
- Companies House, “THE FINBOROUGH FOUNDATION filing history - Company 06446031,” accessed 8 December 2025, https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06446031/filing-history
- Charity Choice Directory, “The Finborough Foundation,” accessed 8 December 2025, https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-finborough-foundation-42580
- Rathbones, “Trust and Tax Services,” accessed 8 December 2025, https://www.rathbones.com/trust-and-tax
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Finborough Foundation fund?
Grant Programs The foundation operates a single discretionary grant-making program without distinct funding streams. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees.
How much funding does The Finborough Foundation provide?
The Finborough Foundation provides grants ranging from Not publicly available, with total annual giving of approximately £255,000 (approx., based on 2024 expenditure).
How do I contact The Finborough Foundation?
Registered Address: Rathbones Trust Company Ltd Port of Liverpool Building Pier Head Liverpool L3 1NW Phone: (0)151 236 6666 Website: None identified Email: Not publicly available
Is The Finborough Foundation a registered charity?
Yes, The Finborough Foundation is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 1125130). They primarily serve organisations in Camden.
How do I apply to The Finborough Foundation?
How to Apply This funder does not have a public application process. The Finborough Foundation operates as a private family foundation where grants are made at the absolute discretion of the trustees. There is no website, application form, or publicly available guidelines for unsolicited applications.
Where is The Finborough Foundation based?
They fund organisations in Camden.