The Galen And Hilary Weston Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: By invitation only (not applicable)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: £346,000 - £2.7 million (based on recent awards)
• Geographic Focus: UK, Ireland, Netherlands (research institutions)
• Application Policy: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Registered Address:

Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP (Ref: CSU)

Rutland House, 148 Edmund Street

Birmingham, B3 2JR

England

Phone: 020 7318 2318

Website: https://galenhilarywestonfoundation.org/

Charity Number: 1167260

Company Number: 09899315

Overview

The Galen and Hilary Weston Foundation (previously The Selfridges Group Foundation) was established in 2016 to coordinate charitable activities within Selfridges Group. The foundation was created following W. Galen Weston's personal dementia diagnosis, with his daughter Alannah Weston assuming leadership in 2016. For the past eight years, the foundation has established itself as an instrumental supporter of research on neurodegenerative diseases of ageing, with particular emphasis on novel biomarkers—key to the search for treatments and eventually a cure for these devastating diseases. Recently, the foundation has expanded to include practical support for those affected by these diseases as its second philanthropic pillar, recognizing the enormous need for support based on the family's direct experience of caring for someone with dementia.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Funding Programme

• Focus: Characterisation of Novel Biomarkers for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ageing
• Grant amounts: £346,000 - £350,000 per project (2024 awards)
• Application: By invitation only
• Recent awards: Three projects funded in 2024

Major Support Initiatives

• £2.7 million gift to UCL for Rare Dementia Support Centre (2024)
• Multi-year funding for Rare Dementia Support services since 2018

Priority Areas

Research Pillar:

• Novel biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases
• Diagnostic tools and tests for early detection
• Research into Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple System Atrophy, and Lewy Body Disorders
• Advanced neuroimaging techniques (MRI)
• Alpha-synuclein and protein biomarker research
• Projects with tangible, measurable outcomes

Support Pillar:

• Practical support services for people living with rare dementias
• Services for caregivers and family members
• Specialized support groups and one-to-one assistance
• Infrastructure for dementia support services
• Community-based care programs

Key Characteristics:

• High-risk, high-reward research approaches
• Innovative and targeted projects
• Collaborative research efforts
• Strong scientific methodology and proven expertise
• Projects enabling earlier diagnosis and precision treatments

What They Don't Fund

• The foundation operates through invitation-only funding calls
• Does not accept unsolicited applications
• Focus is specifically on neurodegenerative diseases of ageing
• Geographic focus: UK, Ireland, and Netherlands institutions

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Alannah Elizabeth Cochrane - Chair (appointed December 2, 2015)

Chair of the foundation for close to seven years as of 2022. Previously served as Chairman of Selfridges Group (2019-2022) and Creative Director of Selfridges. Granddaughter of W. Garfield Weston, she runs a family office focused on sustainability and serves as non-executive director on several family foundations in Canada and the UK.

Dr. Sarah Caddick - Trustee (appointed January 16, 2024)

Alexandria Josefina Forbes - Trustee (appointed November 23, 2017)

Anthony David Edwards - Trustee (appointed December 2, 2015)

Also serves as trustee for Action Medical Research.

James Tugendhat - Trustee (appointed April 1, 2024)

Also serves as trustee for The HC-One Foundation and Noah's Ark - The Children's Hospice.

Key Personnel Quotes

The foundation states their approach is to “identify the most talented people and give them resources to make a genuine difference.”

Professor Nick Fox (UCL) on foundation support: “The funding... has been transformational for RDS. These are devastating and isolating conditions...”

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

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Critical Information: The foundation operates by invitation only. They do not accept unsolicited proposals.

The foundation proactively identifies and invites organizations and researchers to apply for their research funding programs. They have a multi-disciplinary, global team with expertise in neuroscience, business, biotech, and philanthropy that identifies potential grantees.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation issues specific funding calls to invited applicants with their own timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only model means success rates cannot be calculated in traditional terms. The foundation states that “all applications were of a very high standard” when describing their 2024 funding round.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given invitation-only model.

Application Success Factors

Foundation Values and Approach

Strategic Principles:

• “Identify the most talented people and give them resources to make a genuine difference”
• Goal-driven approach supporting projects with tangible outcomes
• Collaborative methodology, connecting researchers across institutions
• Leverage the wider Weston family foundation network
• “Convening power” - bringing pioneers together

Selection Criteria:

• Rigorous assessment to identify “most targeted, innovative research projects”
• High-quality research with proven expertise and sound methodology
• Projects with potential for transformative impact on treatment and care
• Strong scientific rigor and methodology
• Innovation in approach

Recent Successful Projects

Research Awards (2024):

• Dr. Viorica Chelban (UCL): £350,000 for Multiple System Atrophy biomarker development
• Dr. Christian Lambert (UCL): £346,238 for non-invasive biomarkers for Lewy Body Disorders

Major Support Initiative:

• £2.7 million to secure site for world-first Rare Dementia Support Centre at UCL (enabling purchase and refurbishment of two townhouses in Bloomsbury)

Past Grantees Include:

• University of Oxford (alpha-synuclein biomarker research)
• University of Nottingham (MRI research on Parkinson's progression)
• King's College London (neural progenitor biomarker studies)
• The National Brain Appeal (Rare Dementia Support - multi-year funding since 2018)

What the Foundation Looks For

• Research institutions with established track records
• Projects addressing rare or underserved aspects of neurodegenerative disease
• Initiatives that bridge research and patient care
• Scalable models with potential for wider impact
• Collaborative approaches across disciplines

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only policy means traditional applications are not accepted - The foundation proactively identifies and reaches out to potential grantees rather than reviewing unsolicited proposals.

• Focus exclusively on neurodegenerative diseases of ageing - Particularly biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment, plus practical support for patients and caregivers. Projects outside this scope will not be considered.

• Personal connection to the cause drives mission - Founded after W. Galen Weston's dementia diagnosis, with family caregiving experience informing both research and support priorities.

• Substantial grants for high-impact projects - Recent grants range from £346,000 to £2.7 million, indicating capacity for significant investment in the right projects.

• Emphasis on rare and underserved dementias - Particular interest in conditions affecting younger people and those not adequately served by standard support services.

• Values collaborative, innovative approaches - Seeks to connect researchers and leverage wider Weston foundation network for maximum impact.

• Part of wider Weston philanthropic ecosystem - Operates independently but connected to Weston Family Foundation (Canada) and other family foundations, providing access to neuroscience leadership and resources.

References

1. The Galen and Hilary Weston Foundation official website - https://galenhilarywestonfoundation.org/

1. UK Charity Commission Register - THE GALEN AND HILARY WESTON FOUNDATION, Charity Number 1167260 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5072941

1. UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences - “The Galen and Hilary Weston Foundation announce grantees for 2024 research funding programme” - https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/news/2025/apr/galen-and-hilary-weston-foundation-announce-grantees-2024-research-funding-programme

1. UCL - “£2.7m gift secures site for world-first Rare Dementia Support Centre at UCL” - https://www.ucl.ac.uk/giving/news/2024/may/ps27m-gift-secures-site-world-first-rare-dementia-support-centre-ucl

1. The Globe and Mail - "Weston family gives $50-million boost to 'high-risk, high-reward' brain research" - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/weston-family-to-fund-new-brain-research-institute/article18674213/

1. The Galen and Hilary Weston Foundation - Past Grantees page - https://galenhilarywestonfoundation.org/past-grantees/

1. The Galen and Hilary Weston Foundation - Rare Dementia Support case study - https://galenhilarywestonfoundation.org/case-studies/a-lifeline-for-people-affected-by-dementia/