The Freshfield Foundation
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £1,085,442 (2023 expenditure)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: Not publicly available
- Geographic Focus: UK charities undertaking projects domestically and internationally
Contact Details
Address: B W MacFarlane LLP, Castle Chambers, 43 Castle Street, Liverpool, L2 9SH
Phone: 0151 236 1494
Email: paul.k@bwm.co.uk
Contact: Paul Kurthausen (Trustee)
Overview
The Freshfield Foundation was established in 1991 as a UK registered charity (number 1003316) based in Liverpool. The foundation provides grant funding to other charitable organizations with particular emphasis on those involved in sustainable development, climate change mitigation, and overseas disaster relief. In the financial year ending December 31, 2023, the foundation had an income of £311,336 and expenditure of £1,085,442, demonstrating significant grant-making activity relative to its income. The foundation is administered by B W MacFarlane LLP, a Liverpool-based firm, and operates with four trustees who receive no remuneration for their service.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation provides varied grants to charitable organizations on a rolling basis. Specific grant amounts and programs are not publicly detailed, but applications are accepted at any time.
- Application Method: Rolling basis - applications may be submitted at any time
Priority Areas
The foundation actively funds projects in the following areas:
- Sustainable development - Supporting initiatives that promote long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability
- Climate change mitigation - Projects addressing the causes and impacts of climate change
- Overseas disaster relief - Emergency and humanitarian aid for international disasters
- Environmental conservation - Broader environmental protection initiatives
- Accommodation/housing - Housing-related charitable work
- Disability - Support for disability-related causes
- Overseas aid - International development and relief efforts
What They Don't Fund
Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Prospective applicants should contact the foundation directly to confirm eligibility.

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Governance and Leadership
Trustees
Patrick Appleton Moores - Chair
Also serves as a trustee of The Formby Land Trust. Responsible for overseeing the foundation's strategic direction.
Paul Charles Kurthausen - Trustee
Primary contact for applications. Also serves as trustee of The Ellerdale Trust and The Formby Land Trust. Based at B W MacFarlane LLP in Liverpool.
Elizabeth Jane Potter - Trustee
Appointed February 3, 2012.
Burr Noland Carter - Trustee
Appointed August 26, 2020.
The foundation operates with a small board of four trustees (75% male, 25% female), all of whom serve without remuneration. The trustees control the work, management, and administration of the charity on behalf of its beneficiaries.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Applications should be directed to Paul Kurthausen at the foundation's Liverpool address. The foundation operates on a rolling basis, meaning applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year.
Application Contact:
Paul Kurthausen
B W MacFarlane LLP
Castle Chambers
43 Castle Street
Liverpool L2 9SH
Email: paul.k@bwm.co.uk
Phone: 0151 236 1494
It is advisable to contact the foundation before submitting a full application to discuss your proposal and obtain specific application guidelines.
Decision Timeline
Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Prospective applicants should inquire about expected timeframes when making initial contact.
Success Rates
Success rate information is not publicly available.
Reapplication Policy
Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the foundation directly for guidance.
Application Success Factors
Given the limited public information available, the following factors are important considerations:
- Clear alignment with the foundation's three core focus areas: sustainable development, climate change mitigation, and overseas disaster relief
- Environmental focus - The foundation has a strong emphasis on environmental and climate-related work
- UK-based charities - Applicants must be UK registered charitable organizations, though projects can be international
- Pre-application contact - Given the lack of detailed public guidelines, making initial contact with Paul Kurthausen to discuss your project before submitting a formal application is advisable
- International scope - The foundation supports both domestic UK projects and overseas work, particularly in disaster relief contexts
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- The Freshfield Foundation is a small, focused grant-maker with significant annual expenditure (over £1 million) relative to its income
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis - there are no fixed deadlines
- Direct contact with trustee Paul Kurthausen is recommended before applying
- The foundation has three clear priority areas: sustainable development, climate change mitigation, and overseas disaster relief
- Environmental and climate-related projects appear to be the strongest fit
- Limited public information is available, so establishing direct communication with the foundation is essential
- The foundation is administered by a professional firm (B W MacFarlane LLP), suggesting a structured approach to grant-making
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References
- UK Charity Commission Register of Charities, “THE FRESHFIELD FOUNDATION - 1003316,” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1003316
- UK Charity Commission, “Accounts and annual returns, THE FRESHFIELD FOUNDATION,” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1003316/accounts-and-annual-returns
- UK Charity Commission, “Trustees, THE FRESHFIELD FOUNDATION,” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1003316/trustees
- Manchester Community Central, “Freshfield Foundation Fund,” https://manchestercommunitycentral.org/support-groups/funding-opportunities/freshfield-foundation-fund
- Giving is Great, “THE FRESHFIELD FOUNDATION | Charity Factsheet,” https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1003316