The Gsr Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £2,500,000 (2024); £3,000,000 (2025)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (proactive outreach model)
• Decision Time: Not formally specified (flexible, relationship-based)
• Grant Range: £30,000 - £250,000
• Geographic Focus: England & Wales (registered), with international reach (Brazil, Cambodia, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Singapore, USA)

Contact Details

• Website: www.gsrfoundation.io
• Email: james.newell@gsr.io
• Phone: 7352742309
• Charity Number: 1199228 (England & Wales)
• Contact Method: Brief email or LinkedIn message to Executive Director James Newell describing alignment with priorities

Overview

The GSR Foundation was founded in 2022 as an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with an initial $10 million pledge from GSR, a leading cryptocurrency market maker and trading firm. The foundation envisions a world where everyone benefits from technology, focusing on ensuring no one is excluded from participating in or benefiting from technological advancement. In 2023, the foundation deployed £1.5 million of its £2.5 million budget; in 2024, it deployed the full £2.5 million. For 2025, GSR has increased its commitment to £3 million. The foundation takes an active approach to finding partners rather than accepting unsolicited applications, emphasizing trust-based, unrestricted funding with minimal bureaucracy. Executive Director James Newell brings over 16 years of experience leading global non-profit organizations and holds the ICAEW's Diploma in Charity Accounting and an MSc in Grantmaking, Philanthropy and Social Investment from Bayes Business School.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two primary grant tiers:

• Empower Grants: £250,000 (unrestricted, single-year grants to establish relationships with major partners like UNICEF Venture Fund and Mercy Corps Ventures)
• Enable Grants: £30,000 - £75,000 (smaller grants with potential to expand based on partnership development)
• Emergency Funding: Variable amounts channeled through standing partner ShelterBox for rapid crisis response

All grants are unrestricted and may be used for operational costs including staff salaries. The foundation offers new partners single-year unrestricted grants as a foundation for building relationships, with potential for multi-year funding based on collaboration outcomes.

Application Method: Proactive outreach by foundation; cold introductions via email or LinkedIn accepted but must be brief and demonstrate strong alignment with mission. Full application guidance document planned for republication in June 2025.

Priority Areas

The foundation's strategy focuses on three interconnected areas:

1. Blockchain and Frontier Technologies for Social Good: Pioneering use of frontier technology to reimagine and solve complex social problems, including innovative deployment of blockchain on established social problems
2. Internet Access Expansion: Efforts to expand internet access in underserved communities
3. Digital Learning Platforms: Support for digital learning platforms that can reach marginalized users (e.g., Arabic-speaking women)

Cross-cutting themes include:

• Financial inclusion and equitable participation in technology
• STEM education, particularly for underrepresented groups
• Technology solutions for excluded populations
• Organizational infrastructure and capacity building
• Innovation in philanthropic funding models (e.g., Lido Impact Staking)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications through a general grants portal. Organizations working outside the intersection of technology, finance, and development are unlikely to align with current priorities.

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Nadia Gil (Chair of Trustees): Background in management consulting, investment management, and executive recruiting; launched GSR's first CSR program in 2020. Holds BSc from MIT and MSc in Organisational & Business Psychology from University of Liverpool.

• Eva Sanchez (Trustee Emeritus): Chief Legal Officer at GSR; previously held legal positions at AQR Capital Management and Citadel. Holds First Class Business & Law Degree from City University.

• Jhumar Johnson (Trustee): Chief of Staff at Global University Systems; formerly Director of Development at Open University with expertise in fundraising and philanthropy across 177 countries.

• Qasim Iqbal (Trustee): Works in mergers and acquisitions for technology sector at PwC; qualified accountant and founder of charity Almalia; brings experience in external audit, corporate governance, and data analysis.

• Roxane Ballew (Trustee): Legal Counsel at GSR; previously worked at Virtu Financial and White & Case LLP. Holds BA from University of Chicago and JD from NYU School of Law.

• Oliver Whitehead (Trustee): Chief Operating Officer of Legal and Compliance at GSR; former board member at Orbis Investment Management. Holds BSc in Computer Science and Physics from Lancaster University.

Leadership

• Jakob Palmstierna (Patron): President and Chief Business Officer at GSR; previously Head of EMEA business at Two Sigma Investments with over a decade in systematic investment management.

• James Newell (Executive Director): Over 16 years of experience leading global non-profit organizations; holds ICAEW's Diploma in Charity Accounting and MSc in Grantmaking, Philanthropy and Social Investment from Bayes Business School. States: “I am excited to join a company genuinely solving problems with its philanthropy and working directly with our grantees to co-create solutions.”

Key Quotes from Leadership

James Newell: "Doing good is not easy. It's ludicrously complex, and things change. Now's the time to figure out how to do things better and smarter.“ He emphasizes that ”one of the foundation's key takeaways has been just how essential flexible support can be" particularly for operational costs and staff salaries that traditional funders often struggle to cover.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The GSR Foundation takes an active approach to finding partners and does not currently accept unsolicited applications through a traditional grants portal. However, organizations whose work strongly aligns with the foundation's vision are invited to make contact.

For Cold Introductions:

1. Send a very brief description via email (james.newell@gsr.io) or LinkedIn
2. Explain how your work aligns with foundation priorities
3. Expect personal review by Executive Director James Newell
4. If interested, foundation will arrange an introductory call
5. Not all expressions of interest will receive a response

Partner Identification Methods:

• Internal research by foundation team
• Referrals from existing partners
• Targeted cold introductions

The foundation emphasizes: "Don't waste time" with lengthy application processes.

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on a flexible, relationship-based timeline rather than fixed deadlines or quarterly review cycles. Decisions are made on a rolling basis as potential partnerships are identified.

For 2025, the foundation plans to fully deploy its £3 million budget, with virtually no overhead beyond 50% of the Executive Director's time.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Given the proactive partner identification model, traditional success rate metrics do not apply—the foundation initiates most partnerships rather than responding to a large applicant pool.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not operate an open application process where organizations could be formally declined and subsequently reapply. Organizations that have made contact but were not selected for partnership may make contact again if circumstances or alignment change significantly.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder

The foundation explicitly advises potential partners to:

• Keep initial contact “very brief”
• Clearly demonstrate alignment with technology inclusion priorities
• Be prepared to share challenges openly in a collaborative relationship
• Work at the intersection of technology, finance, and development

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

• UNICEF Venture Fund (£250,000): Support for UNICEF CryptoFund; GSR Foundation became first institutional donor to deploy ETH for impact via Lido Impact Staking
• Mercy Corps Ventures (£250,000): Support for blockchain and frontier technologies for financial inclusion in underserved communities, also utilizing Lido Impact Staking model
• ShelterBox: Emergency crisis response funding
• The Visiola Foundation: STEM education for girls in Africa
• Other known partners: Thaki, British Red Cross, Technovation, MIT Solve, Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, Ignite Hubs, Techfugees, Worldreader, Child's Dream, She Loves Tech, Oxford Internet Institute, FrauenLoop, Code the Dream, African Gifted Foundation, Civic Power Fund, MyBnk, The Brotherhood Sister Sol, National Emergencies Trust, The Majurity Trust

Language and Terminology

The foundation uses language emphasizing:

• “Enable, Empower, Thrive” (core principles)
• “Trust-based philanthropy”
• “Unrestricted funding”
• “Grants-Plus approach” (connecting partners, providing training, knowledge-sharing platforms)
• “Co-creating solutions”
• “Proportionate reporting”
• “Financially viable organizations with strong track records”
• “Frontier technology”

Common Reasons for Rejection

While not explicitly stated, likely barriers include:

• Work does not intersect with technology and social impact
• Lengthy, bureaucratic initial outreach
• Lack of organizational financial viability or track record
• Misalignment with blockchain, internet access, or digital learning focus areas

Tips for Standing Out

1. Demonstrate Technology Innovation: Show pioneering use of frontier technology or blockchain to solve social problems
2. Emphasize Infrastructure Needs: The foundation explicitly values funding organizational infrastructure and operational costs, which many traditional funders avoid
3. Be Concise: Initial contact should be extremely brief and focused on mission alignment
4. Show Collaborative Mindset: Be prepared for open dialogue, sharing challenges, and co-creating solutions
5. Prove Viability: Demonstrate financial sustainability and strong organizational track record
6. Align with Experimental Approach: The foundation is willing to support experimental projects and innovative funding models
7. Understand Cryptocurrency Context: Given the foundation's origins in crypto market-making, familiarity with blockchain and cryptocurrency for social good is advantageous

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No traditional application process: The foundation proactively identifies partners; unsolicited applications are not encouraged, though brief, well-aligned cold introductions may be considered
• Unrestricted funding is the norm: All grants are unrestricted, with explicit support for operational costs and staff salaries—highlight these needs if approaching the foundation
• Relationship-first approach: Initial grants are typically single-year to establish relationships, with potential for expansion into multi-year partnerships
• Technology intersection essential: Your work must demonstrably address technology inclusion, digital access, or frontier tech applications for social good
• Minimal reporting burden: The foundation implements “proportionate reporting” and builds bespoke frameworks for each partner rather than imposing arbitrary requirements
• Growing budget: With £3 million to deploy in 2025, the foundation is actively scaling its partnerships
• Innovative funding models welcome: The foundation experiments with novel approaches like Lido Impact Staking, showing openness to creative philanthropic mechanisms
• Quick, trust-based decisions: No lengthy bureaucratic processes—decisions are made flexibly based on relationship development and mission alignment

References

1. GSR Foundation Official Website. “Independent Charity and Grantmaker.” https://www.gsrfoundation.io/

1. GSR Foundation. “Services — GSR Foundation” (Application Guidance). https://www.gsrfoundation.io/guidance

1. GSR Foundation. “Team — GSR Foundation.” https://www.gsrfoundation.io/team

1. GSR Foundation. “GSR Foundation: Year in Review 2024.” https://www.gsrfoundation.io/blog/gsr-foundation-year-in-review-2024

1. GSR Foundation. “GSR Foundation announces grant to UNICEF.” https://www.gsrfoundation.io/blog/gsr-foundation-announces-grant-to-unicef

1. GSR Foundation. “GSR Foundation announces grant to Mercy Corps Ventures.” https://www.gsrfoundation.io/blog/gsr-foundation-announces-grant-to-mercy-corps-ventures

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales. “THE GSR FOUNDATION - 1199228.” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5190991

1. Devex. “How a new foundation is funding tech for good — without the bureaucracy.” https://www.devex.com/news/how-a-new-foundation-is-funding-tech-for-good-without-the-bureaucracy-110488

1. BusinessWire. “GSR Launches Foundation with $10m Pledge Celebrating 10 years of Business.” February 16, 2023. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005100/en/GSR-Launches-Foundation-with-$10m-Pledge-Celebrating-10-years-of-Business

1. UK Fundraising. “GSR launches foundation with $10mn pledge.” February 16, 2023. https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/02/16/gsr-launches-foundation-with-10mn-pledge/

1. UNICEF Office of Innovation. “UNICEF Venture Fund Joins Lido Impact Staking With Support From GSR Foundation.” https://www.unicef.org/innovation/stories/unicef-venture-fund-joins-lido-impact-staking-support-gsr-foundation