The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
Charity Number: 251988
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £1.7+ billion since 1967
- Success Rate: Very low for unsolicited applications
- Decision Time: Varies by program (Plant Science: 5 times yearly)
- Grant Range: £35,000 - £4 million+ (varies significantly by program)
- Geographic Focus: UK and global (particularly East Africa)
Contact Details
- Website: www.gatsby.org.uk
- Email: info@gatsby.org.uk
- Phone: 020 7410 0330
- Plant Science Applications: roxaana.clayton@gatsby.org.uk
Overview
The Gatsby Charitable Foundation was established in 1967 by David Sainsbury (Lord Sainsbury of Turville), who has donated over £1.7 billion to the charity since its founding. The foundation operates as an endowed grant-making trust based in London, focusing on strategic, proactive philanthropy rather than traditional grant-making. Gatsby takes a unique approach by identifying areas of need and commissioning research rather than waiting for unsolicited applications. The foundation works across six focus areas: plant science, neuroscience, education (secondary and further education), economic development in Africa, public policy research, and the arts. Recent recognition includes significant partnerships with organizations like the Gates Foundation and successful program outcomes across all sectors.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- Plant Science Research Grants: Up to £35,000 (rolling applications accepted 5 times yearly)
- Neuroscience Research: Large-scale grants (recent example: $4 million over 5 years)
- Education Programs: Varies significantly by initiative
- Africa Development: Multi-million dollar programs in partnership with other foundations
- Public Policy Research: Strategic funding for policy development
- Arts Programs: Support for development and archive programs
Priority Areas
- Plant science research (particularly projects unlikely to attract other funding)
- Fundamental neuroscience research and sector development
- Secondary and Further Education (not Early Years or Primary)
- Economic development in East Africa (textiles, agriculture, forestry)
- Public policy research and advice
- Arts development and preservation
What They Don't Fund
- Early Years or Primary education initiatives
- Individual applications (except plant science research)
- Projects outside their six focus areas
- Most unsolicited proposals (success rate very low)
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Governance and Leadership
Founder & Settlor: David Sainsbury (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)
Trustees:
- Joseph Burns
- Fran Perrin
- Judith Portrait
- Lucy Sainsbury
Senior Leadership:
- Peter Hesketh, CEO
- Justin Highstead, Africa Programmes
- Jason Searancke, Head of Finance
Senior Advisors:
- Sarah Caddick, Neuroscience
- Roger Freedman, Plant Science
David Sainsbury and the Gatsby Trustees set the strategic direction and approve all activities. The foundation operates on the principle that “private foundations play an important role in testing imaginative models and new ideas that governments may see as too risky.”
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
- General Rule: Does not accept unsolicited applications
- Plant Science Exception: Email applications to roxaana.clayton@gatsby.org.uk
- Exceptional Cases: Brief proposals (3-6 pages) may be considered if closely aligned with priorities
- Proactive Approach: Foundation typically identifies and initiates projects
Decision Timeline
- Plant Science: Decisions made 5 times yearly (January, March/April, July, September, December)
- Other Programs: No fixed timeline; projects are commissioned as needed
Success Rates
- Unsolicited Applications: “Vast majority are unsuccessful”
- Plant Science: More favorable for exceptional researchers in UK institutions
Reapplication Policy
No specific reapplication restrictions mentioned, but given the proactive approach, reapplication opportunities are limited.
Application Success Factors
The foundation specifically seeks “exceptional research projects that are unlikely to attract support from research councils or other funding agencies” in plant science. For other areas, alignment with their strategic priorities is crucial. Recent successful projects include:
- Black in Plant Science initiative (£65,000)
- Salk-UC San Diego brain circuitry consortium ($4 million)
- T-level industry placement programs in universities
- Tanzania Cotton Board and Kenya Forestry Research Institute partnerships
The foundation values long-term, systemic change and innovative approaches that test new models. They prefer partnerships with sector experts and focus on sustainability beyond their funding period.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Proactive Strategy: Gatsby initiates most projects rather than responding to applications
- Focus Alignment: Must align closely with one of their six specific focus areas
- Plant Science Exception: Only area with open application process for exceptional researchers
- Partnership Approach: Values collaboration with sector and industry experts
- Innovation Focus: Seeks projects testing new models deemed too risky by government funders
- Long-term Vision: Emphasis on systemic change and sustainability
- UK Institution Requirement: Plant science grants limited to UK-based researchers
Similar Funders
These funders frequently fund the same charities:
- Welsh Government
- The Wolfson Foundation
- Ecological Restoration Fund
- The Michael Uren Foundation
- King Charles III Charitable Fund
- John Ellerman Foundation
- John Innes Foundation
- Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
- The Genetics Society
- The Leverhulme Trust
- National Lottery Heritage Fund
- FRONTIERS
- THE RIVERS TRUST
- SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST
- HENOCQ LAW TRUST
- THE FREE SCHOOL
- FOCAL POINT
- Players of People's Postcode Lottery
- People's Postcode Lottery
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References
- Gatsby Charitable Foundation Official Website: www.gatsby.org.uk
- UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 251988
- 360Giving GrantNav - Gatsby Charitable Foundation grants database
- Annual Report 2023, The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
- “Gatsby Charitable Foundation awards $4 million to Salk-UC San Diego consortium” - Salk Institute press release
- “Funding Success: Gatsby Foundation” - Black in Plant Science, August 2023
- Inside Philanthropy - Gatsby Charitable Foundation profile