The Harry & Mary Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £387,955 (2021-2022)
• Total Distributed: £1.3+ million since 2013
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies - from smaller grants (~£12,500 average) to major multi-year pledges (£338,000+)
• Geographic Focus: City of Bradford and West Yorkshire

Contact Details

Address: 11 Keighley Road, Cross Hills, Keighley BD20 7DA

Phone: 01535 630298

Email: hmfoundation9@gmail.com

Charity Number: 1148707

Legal Structure: Private Limited Company by guarantee

Overview

The Harry & Mary Foundation was established by the late Harry and Mary Clough, who lived and worked in Bradford all their lives and were well known in the city's business community. Registered in 2012, the Foundation has become a significant supporter of local charities in the Bradford district and wider West Yorkshire area. With total income of £1,108,015 in the 2023-2024 financial year (including £829,306 in donations and legacies, and £278,709 in investments), the Foundation distributed over £619,000 in charitable activities. Since making its first grants in 2013, the Foundation has distributed more than £1.3 million to over 30 local charities. The Foundation focuses on addressing the needs of Bradford's large youthful population and ongoing health issues, building long-term relationships with beneficiary organizations rather than making one-off grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates across three main charitable purposes:

1. Education Programme: Supporting the education (including social and physical training) of people under the age of 25 years in the City of Bradford, including awarding scholarships, maintenance allowances, or grants tenable at any university, college, or institution of higher or further education.

2. Health Programme: Relief of sickness and promotion of good health among people residing permanently or temporarily in the County of West Yorkshire. This includes funding for equipment and research projects undertaken by clinicians in hospitals located in West Yorkshire.

3. Poverty Relief: Addressing poverty within West Yorkshire and the City of Bradford.

Recent Grant Activity

In 2021-2022, the Foundation made:

• 32 grants
• To 31 different organizations
• Totaling £387,955
• Average grant size: approximately £12,514

Major Multi-Year Funding Examples

• Marie Curie Hospice, Bradford: 5-year pledge of £338,050 (funding MND Coordinator, Therapy Assistant, and Bereavement Coordinator positions)
• Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice: 3-year pledge of £338,816 (funding two Community Nursing Specialists for palliative care)

Priority Areas

The Foundation actively funds:

• Youth projects and education initiatives
• Community groups and organizations
• Food banks and poverty relief
• Medical equipment and facilities
• Hospice care and palliative care services
• Health research projects
• Cancer support services
• Homeless services (e.g., Bradford Nightstop)

Types of Organizations Funded

Recent beneficiaries include:

• Marie Curie
• Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice
• The Cellar Trust
• Cancer Support Yorkshire
• Bradford Central Foodbank
• Bradford Nightstop
• Bradford City Disability FC

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but the Foundation's charitable objects limit funding to:

• Organizations operating within West Yorkshire (particularly Bradford)
• Projects aligned with education (under 25s), health, or poverty relief themes
• Applications from outside West Yorkshire would likely fall outside their remit

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Foundation has three trustees who oversee the charity's activities. One trustee listed in Companies House records is John Andrew Watson Clough (appointed 2012, occupation: School Master), suggesting family continuity from the founders Harry and Mary Clough.

Governance Structure

• One or more trustees are directors of subsidiaries
• One or more trustees receive payments or benefits from the charity for providing services
• The charity operates as a Private Limited Company by guarantee without share capital

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation does not appear to operate a formal public application portal or published application guidelines. Organizations interested in funding are advised to:

1. Make initial contact via phone (01535 630298) or email (hmfoundation9@gmail.com)
2. Contact methods: Direct approach appears to be the primary route

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the Foundation's approach to building long-term relationships and making multi-year pledges, the decision-making process may vary depending on the scale and nature of the funding request.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not published. However, the Foundation made 32 grants to 31 organizations in 2021-2022, suggesting they support multiple organizations each year while also maintaining ongoing commitments to key partners.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Approach

Based on the Foundation's funding history, successful applications likely demonstrate:

1. Local Connection: Strong Bradford or West Yorkshire presence is essential. The Foundation was born from the founders' passion for Bradford and its citizens.

1. Long-Term Impact: The Foundation has shown a preference for substantial, multi-year commitments (e.g., 3-5 year pledges to hospices) rather than small one-off grants.

1. Strategic Staffing: Several major grants fund specific staff positions (e.g., MND Coordinator, Community Nursing Specialists), suggesting the Foundation values sustainable service delivery through staffing.

1. Clear Need Alignment: Projects addressing youth (under 25), health challenges, or poverty are most likely to succeed, particularly if they address issues facing Bradford's “large youthful population and ongoing health issues.”

1. Healthcare Focus: A significant portion of funding goes to healthcare organizations, particularly hospices and specialist care services.

Funding Patterns

• The Foundation appears to prefer making fewer, larger grants to organizations with which they can build relationships
• Multi-year funding commitments suggest they value sustainability
• Average grant of £12,514, but the Foundation also makes transformational grants exceeding £300,000
• Healthcare and palliative care feature prominently in recent funding

Project Examples

Successful funded projects include:

• Specialist nursing positions (Community Nursing Specialists)
• Coordinator roles (MND Coordinator, Bereavement Coordinator)
• Therapy services (Therapy Assistant)
• Community support services (food banks, homeless services)
• Youth and disability sports programs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Geographic Focus is Critical: This is a Bradford-first, West Yorkshire-focused funder. Strong local connections and impact on Bradford residents are essential.

1. Think Long-Term: The Foundation's major grants are multi-year commitments. If seeking significant funding, frame your request as a long-term partnership opportunity.

1. Healthcare Projects are Priority: Hospices, specialist care, and health services receive substantial funding. Health-related projects should emphasize quality of life improvements for West Yorkshire residents.

1. Youth Under 25: Education and youth projects specifically serving under-25s in Bradford align with core charitable purposes.

1. No Formal Application Process: Be prepared to make initial contact directly and build a relationship. The lack of a formal portal suggests a more personal, relationship-based approach.

1. Staffing Costs Welcomed: Major grants have funded specific staff positions, indicating the Foundation understands the importance of salary costs in delivering services.

1. Build Relationships: With only 31 organizations funded in a recent year but over £387,000 distributed, the Foundation appears selective and relationship-focused rather than making many small grants.

References

1. The Harry & Mary Foundation official website - https://theharryandmaryfoundation.org/
2. The Harry & Mary Foundation Beneficiaries page - https://theharryandmaryfoundation.org/beneficiaries.html
3. UK Charity Commission Register - THE HARRY & MARY FOUNDATION, Charity Number 1148707 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1148707&subid=0
4. Companies House - THE HARRY & MARY FOUNDATION, Company Number 07442649 - https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07442649
5. Giving is Great charity factsheet - https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1148707