The George Drexler Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £337,624 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 8-10 weeks (decisions in May/June)
• Grant Range: Up to £20,000 per medical school (divided among 1-5 students)
• Geographic Focus: UK only (UK citizens at four selected medical schools)

Contact Details

Address: 35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE

Phone: 020 7869 6086

Email: info@georgedrexler.org.uk

Website: www.georgedrexler.org.uk

Overview

The George Drexler Foundation was established in 1959 by George Drexler OBE, a successful businessman who founded the Ofrex Group of Companies. Born near Prague in 1908, Drexler moved to London in 1935 and founded his company in 1939 with a £100 loan. The Ofrex Group flourished to employ over 1,000 workers manufacturing office products, and Drexler was awarded an OBE in 1976 for his services to export. The Foundation exists for charitable purposes connected with the advancement of education or relief of poverty for families and former employees of the Ofrex Group. In recent years, the Foundation has focused its grant-making on medical education, distributing approximately £337,624 annually (2024). The charity also provides ongoing support to 11 elderly former Ofrex Group employees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Medical School Grants: Up to £20,000 per medical school annually

• Applications only accepted from four pre-selected medical schools
• Each school divides the grant among 1-5 students based on academic ability and financial need
• Applications submitted through medical schools (rolling basis: 1 December - 31 March)

Selected Medical Schools:

• University College London
• University of Nottingham
• University of Liverpool
• Peninsula College of Medicine & Dentistry

Priority Areas

• Supporting gifted or talented undergraduate medical students struggling financially
• Recognizing excellence and exceptional ability or potential
• Students with personal or family links to commercial business

What They Don't Fund

• Overseas students (UK citizens only)
• Medical electives
• Volunteering projects
• Gap year projects
• Part-time study
• Students without a personal or family link to commerce
• Applicants whose only family business connection is through professional services (doctors, accountants, architects, solicitors)

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Tina Dresher (involved with the Foundation for over 40 years)

Trustees: 5 trustees (no trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits)

Employees: No employees earning over £60,000

The Foundation operates under a deed dated 19 January 1959, as varied by deeds dated 25 November 1966 and 13 May 1993.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are not made directly by students. The four selected medical schools manage the application process:

1. Medical schools discuss the opportunity with eligible students between 1 December and 31 March
2. Interested students complete the Foundation's Application Form and Guidance Notes
3. Students submit a personal statement (maximum 1 side of A4) outlining career ambitions/intentions and why they are seeking financial assistance
4. Medical schools shortlist applications on an equal weighting of academic ability and financial need
5. Medical schools submit shortlisted applications to the Foundation via the online form by 31 March

Decision Timeline

• Application window: 1 December - 31 March
• Trustee consideration: May
• Notification: June (both schools and applicants notified)
• Grant payment: Usually September of the year awarded (paid directly to individuals)

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Each medical school receives up to £20,000 to divide among 1-5 students, suggesting competitive selection at the institutional level before Foundation review.

Reapplication Policy

Previous recipients and unsuccessful applicants can reapply via their medical school. However, there is no guarantee of repeat funding.

Mandatory Progress Reports: All grant recipients must submit a progress report to the Trustees in March following the start of the academic year for which the grant was awarded. The Foundation contacts recipients in March with a progress report form to be returned by 30 April.

Application Success Factors

Mandatory Requirement - Commercial Link: The strictest requirement is establishing a personal or family link with commerce. The applicant, their parents, or grandparents must have worked in or owned a commercial business. This specifically excludes professional services such as doctors, accountants, architects, and solicitors.

Equal Weighting Criteria: Medical schools shortlist on an equal weighting of:

• Academic ability
• Financial need

Personal Statement Strategy: The one-page A4 personal statement should clearly articulate:

• Career ambitions and intentions in medicine
• Specific financial circumstances requiring assistance
• How the grant will enable continuation of studies

Key Differentiators:

• Students who are “particularly gifted or talented” undergraduates
• Those demonstrating “exceptional ability or potential”
• Clear evidence of struggling to support themselves financially through medical school

Important Notes:

• Applications must be for students who have successfully completed the first year of their undergraduate medical degree
• UK citizenship is mandatory
• Students should work closely with their medical school's financial aid office, as schools conduct initial screening

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• You cannot apply directly - applications are only accepted through the four selected medical schools (UCL, Nottingham, Liverpool, Peninsula)
• Commerce link is non-negotiable - establish clear evidence that you, your parents, or grandparents worked in or owned a commercial business (not professional services)
• Complete first year first - only students who have successfully completed year one of their undergraduate medical degree are eligible
• Balance is key - medical schools select on equal weighting of academic ability and financial need, so both must be compelling
• One page matters - craft a focused personal statement on one side of A4 that clearly articulates both career ambitions and financial necessity
• Reapplication is possible - previous recipients and unsuccessful applicants can reapply, but there's no guarantee of repeat funding
• Follow through required - grant recipients must submit a progress report by April following their award year

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE VICTORIA FOUNDATION
• The Lady Ryder of Warsaw Memorial Trust
• The Britford Bridge Trust
• The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries General Charity Limited
• The Evie Dove Foundation CIO
• The Gilbert and Eileen Edgar Foundation
• THE GEOFF & FIONA SQUIRE FOUNDATION
• Sir Samuel Scott of Yews Trust
• The Joron Charitable Trust
• Robert Luff Foundation Limited

References

• The George Drexler Foundation official website: https://georgedrexler.org.uk/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=313278
• Foundation Guidelines page: https://georgedrexler.org.uk/guidelines/
• Foundation Applying for Funding page: https://georgedrexler.org.uk/applying-for-funding/
• Foundation FAQs page: https://georgedrexler.org.uk/faqs/
• Charity Commission Financial History for charity 313278
• Giving is Great Charity Factsheet for charity 313278