The Fyrish Foundation

Charity Number: 1170583

Annual Expenditure: £1.8M

Geographic Focus: Scotland, Throughout England And Wales

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £1,757,802 (2022)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Varies - considered at regular trustee meetings
Grant Range: £2,300 - £600,000
Geographic Focus: UK and overseas (UK registered charities only)

Contact Details

Address:

Calum Mitchell, Secretary

The Fyrish Foundation

C/O Dickson Minto

Level 4 Dashwood House

69 Old Broad Street

London EC2M 1QS

Email: secretary@thefyrishfoundation.com (also thefyrishfoundation@gmail.com)

Phone: 020 7628 4455

Note: The Foundation does not maintain a website. Further information is available on the Charity Commission website.

Overview

Established in 2016, The Fyrish Foundation (Charity No. 1170583) is an endowment-funded charity that supports charitable purposes pursued in accordance with Christian teaching. With total funds of approximately £7 million and annual charitable expenditure of £1.86 million (2022), the Foundation has developed its grant-making portfolio from 8 grants totalling £75,000 in 2018 to 69 grants totalling £1,757,802 in 2022. In 2023, the Foundation awarded 24 grants ranging from £2,300 to £600,000. The charity generates all its income from investments, allowing it to provide sustained support to UK registered charities working both domestically and internationally. The Foundation operates with 4 trustees, none of whom receive remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation offers small, medium, and large grants to UK registered charities:

Small to Medium Grants: Up to £20,000 - processed through standard route
Large Grants: £20,001 to £150,000 over 3 years for Christian projects - assessed by independent team (longer processing time)
Exceptional Grants: Above £150,000 (rare but possible - largest recent grant was £600,000)

Application Method: Rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. Applications considered at regular trustee meetings. Grants may be paid as single payments or in instalments, and may be conditional on progress against project milestones.

Priority Areas

Prevention or Relief of Poverty: Supporting disadvantaged and marginalised populations
Advancement of Health or Saving of Lives: Healthcare and life-saving initiatives
Community Development: Particularly focused on marginalised sectors of society
Faith-Based Projects: Projects aligned with Christian teaching and values

Geographic Scope: UK and overseas (applicants must be UK registered charities)

Eligible Costs: Both revenue and capital costs

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly listed. Applicants should note that all funded projects must be “pursued in accordance with Christian teaching” as stated in the Foundation's charitable purposes.

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by 4 trustees who receive no remuneration for their service. The day-to-day contact is managed through:

Calum Mitchell, Secretary - Primary contact for grant applications and enquiries

The Foundation operates through Dickson Minto, a law firm in London, which provides administrative support.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted in writing at any time (rolling programme, no deadlines) to:

Calum Mitchell, Secretary

The Fyrish Foundation

C/O Dickson Minto

Level 4 Dashwood House

69 Old Broad Street

London EC2M 1QS

Alternative contact: Email to secretary@thefyrishfoundation.com or thefyrishfoundation@gmail.com

Application Content: While specific format requirements are not rigidly defined, applications should include:

Description of the applying organisation
Details of the project or funding requirement
Expected outcomes/outputs
Period of operation (noted as “very important”)
Clear ask from The Fyrish Foundation

Decision Timeline

Applications are considered at regular trustee meetings
Larger grants (above £20,000) take longer as they require assessment by an independent team
Specific timelines not publicly disclosed but applicants can expect notification following relevant trustee meeting

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Foundation's grant-making activity has grown significantly:

2018: 8 grants totalling £75,000
2022: 69 grants totalling £1,757,802
2023: 24 grants (ranging £2,300-£600,000)

The variation in grant numbers year-to-year may reflect both application volumes and the shift toward larger strategic grants.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Contact the Foundation directly for guidance on unsuccessful reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

Christian Foundation: All funded work must align with Christian teaching. Faith-based projects and organisations working from Christian values are core to the Foundation's mission.

Marginalised Communities: Strong emphasis on supporting marginalised sectors of society and disadvantaged populations.

Application Guidance

Period of Operation is “Very Important”: Applicants should clearly specify project timelines and duration. This suggests the Foundation values well-planned, time-bound initiatives.

Clear Ask: Be specific about the amount requested and what it will achieve. Vague or overly broad requests are less likely to succeed.

Outcomes/Outputs: Demonstrate clear, measurable impact. The Foundation wants to see what will be achieved with their funding.

Recent Grant Examples

Bethany Christian Trust: £600,000 (2023) - largest recent grant, indicating willingness to make significant investments in established organisations
Grant range of £2,300 to £600,000 demonstrates flexibility in supporting both small grassroots projects and large-scale initiatives

Tips for First-Time Applicants

First-time applicants should note that grants for Christian projects “are smaller especially for first time applicants” - build relationship through smaller initial grants
Larger grants available but typically require track record with the Foundation
The Foundation accepts both revenue and capital cost applications
Consider milestone-based funding for larger projects

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Faith alignment is essential: All projects must be “pursued in accordance with Christian teaching” - ensure your organisation's values and approach align with this requirement
No website means direct contact: Be prepared to engage directly via letter or email; the Foundation operates with minimal bureaucracy but expects well-prepared applications
Period of operation matters: Clearly articulate project timelines - this is flagged as “very important” by the Foundation
Build relationships gradually: First-time applicants typically receive smaller grants; demonstrate success to access larger funding
Think long-term: The Foundation offers multi-year funding (up to 3 years for Christian projects), allowing for sustainable program development
Rolling deadlines offer flexibility: No fixed deadlines means you can apply when ready, but also means competition is ongoing
Wide grant range signals accessibility: From £2,300 to £600,000 shows openness to supporting organisations of all sizes working on their priority issues