The Hellenic Initiative (uk)

Charity Number: 1196224

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M
Geographic Focus: Throughout England, Greece

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving (UK Entity): £225,773 (2024)
  • Annual Giving (Global Organization): ~$3 million+ (over $23 million since founding in 2012)
  • Success Rate: Competitive - 82 applicants for 8 awards in Venture Impact Awards 2024 (~10%)
  • Decision Time: 30 days for initial review; Venture Impact Awards announced in December
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000 (typical grants $25,000 - $50,000 for nonprofits)
  • Geographic Focus: Greece (exclusively)

Contact Details

Overview

The Hellenic Initiative (THI) was founded in 2012 by prominent leaders from the Greek global diaspora in response to Greece's economic crisis. The UK charity (registered 2021, charity number 1196224) advances and promotes the work of the parent US organization. THI describes itself as “a global, nonprofit, secular institution mobilizing the Greek Diaspora and Philhellene community to support sustainable economic recovery and renewal for Greece and its people.” President Bill Clinton serves as an honorary patron.

Since its founding, THI has invested more than $23 million in Greece, making 301 grants through 112 focused grants in economic development, entrepreneurship, and job creation. The organization has grown to become the largest Greek Diaspora organization in the world. Their philosophy is explicit: “this is about investment, not handouts” - focusing on impact and outcomes rather than effort alone. In 2023, the US entity had total revenue of $3.1 million and expenses of $2.7 million, with net assets of $3.3 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Crisis Relief Grants (Nonprofit Organizations): $25,000 - $50,000

  • Support for established Greek nonprofits addressing humanitarian needs
  • Rolling applications via online submission portal
  • 30-day initial review period

Venture Impact Awards (For-Profit Startups): $10,000 - $50,000

  • Annual awards program for Greek startups demonstrating social/economic impact
  • Applications open September/October with December announcement
  • 57 winners awarded $915,000 since 2020
  • For-profit entities only; must have received less than $5 million in prior funding

Economic Development Programs:

  • VentureGarden: Free entrepreneurship training (281 ventures supported, 792 jobs created)
  • ReGeneration: Youth employment program (90%+ conversion to permanent positions)
  • Accelerate Greece: Startup acceleration partnerships

Priority Areas

  • Crisis relief and humanitarian aid
  • Economic development and job creation
  • Entrepreneurship and startup support
  • Youth employment and education
  • Environmental initiatives (tree planting, wildlife rehabilitation)
  • Support for vulnerable populations (elderly, children, families in need)

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Academic scholarships
  • Film projects
  • Events
  • Projects outside Greece
  • Organizations without clear social objectives and measurable outcomes
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Governance and Leadership

UK Charity (1196224):

  • 3 Trustees (names not publicly listed on Charity Commission)
  • 3 Volunteers
  • No trustees receive remuneration

Global Organization Leadership:

Executive Committee:

  • Andrew N. Liveris (Chairman) - Former Chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company
  • George P. Stamas (Board President) - Senior Partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Co-founder of THI (2011)
  • Dean Dakolias (Vice Chair) - Co-Chairman and Managing Partner, Fortress Investment Group
  • John Koudounis (Vice Chair) - President and CEO, Calamos Investments
  • Michael G. Psaros (Vice Chair) - Co-Founder and Managing Partner, KPS Capital Partners
  • Peter Poulos (Interim Executive Director) - Also Co-Chair of THI Ambassadors

Ambassadors:

  • Princess Tatiana (Chair)
  • Arianna Huffington (CEO/Founder, Thrive Global)
  • Nia Vardalos (Actor, Writer, Producer, Director)

Notable Board Members: Ted Leonsis (Monumental Sports), George M. Logothetis (Libra Group), C. Dean Metropoulos (Metropoulos & Co.), John Catsimatidis (Red Apple Group), Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Nonprofit Organizations (Crisis Relief/Economic Development):

  1. Submit via online portal at thehellenicinitiative.org/new-ideas-submission/
  2. THI reviews submissions within 30 days
  3. If interested, THI contacts applicant for further discussion

Required Information:

  • Problem and solution description (250 words max)
  • Organization mission and project fit (250 words max)
  • Success metrics with target values (250 words max)
  • Budget breakdown with itemized costs (150 words max)
  • Project duration and management structure

For Startups (Venture Impact Awards):

  1. Apply via ventureimpactaward.com during September-October
  2. Must demonstrate proof of concept and high impact potential
  3. Must have received less than $5 million in prior funding
  4. For-profit entities only
  5. Winners must be present at December ceremony to receive award

Decision Timeline

Nonprofit Grants:

  • 30-day initial review period
  • Further discussions if THI expresses interest
  • No fixed deadline - rolling applications

Venture Impact Awards:

  • September/October: Application period
  • October/November: Deadline and review phase
  • December: Winners announced at ceremony in Athens

Reporting Requirements:

  • Venture Impact Award winners submit progress reports at 6 and 12 months
  • Prize payments split into two equal installments, 6 months apart

Success Rates

  • Venture Impact Awards 2024: 82 applicants, 8 winners (~10% success rate)
  • 57 total Venture Impact Award winners since 2020
  • 301 total grants made since THI's founding

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated, but the rolling application process for nonprofit grants suggests unsuccessful applicants may reapply with revised proposals.

Application Success Factors

THI's Explicit Guidance:

  1. Research First: “Read their Annual Report and find out more about their current work and areas of interest. Check their website, past grantees, and announcements in the news section and social media.”
  1. Follow Requirements Exactly: “The formatting and content requirements are inflexible. Proposals not meeting these requirements will not be considered.”
  1. Avoid Rhetoric: “Avoid rhetoric and hyperbole. Illustrate with real instances or examples.”
  1. Be Specific About Impact: “Be specific about outputs and outcomes. The proposal should explicitly state expected practical, tangible outputs (such as number of entrepreneurs whose training or careers are affected) and outcomes (such as new knowledge, institutional strengthening, etc).”
  1. Define Success Clearly: “Be very clear about what outputs or outcomes would make you think the project had been a success (number of beneficiaries, increase in number of volunteers, higher sales, high enrollments, etc.).”
  1. Show Alignment: “If the effort connects to or benefits other programs or areas of The Hellenic Initiative, point this out.”

What THI Looks For:

  • Compliance with their objectives
  • Possibility for immediate impact
  • Reporting and financial transparency
  • Clear social objectives with compelling strategy
  • Demonstrable impact on Greece's economic and/or social sectors

Recent Grant Examples for Reference:

  • SOS Children's Villages Greece: $50,000 for food aid to 36 families, 198 children
  • Nosilia: $25,000 for elderly palliative care program targeting 100 patients
  • ANIMA: $50,000 for mobile veterinary hospital and wildlife rehabilitation
  • Symplefsi: $25,000 for remote island infrastructure (classroom installation)
  • Athens Food Bank: $50,000 for Emergency Food Fund

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Greece-Only Focus: THI exclusively funds projects with direct impact in Greece - UK applicants must demonstrate clear Greek beneficiaries
  1. Investment Mindset: THI describes their approach as “investment, not handouts” - emphasize sustainability, scalability, and measurable outcomes rather than need alone
  1. Quantifiable Metrics Essential: Every application must include specific, measurable targets (number of beneficiaries, jobs created, families served)
  1. Strict Format Compliance: Follow word limits and formatting requirements exactly - non-compliant proposals are rejected without review
  1. Review Past Grantees: Study their Annual Report and news section to understand current priorities and successful grant profiles
  1. Dual Funding Streams: Nonprofits apply via general portal; for-profit startups must use Venture Impact Awards (separate application, annual deadline)
  1. Competitive Process: With only ~10% success rate for Venture Impact Awards and “limited funds” relative to submissions, proposals must demonstrate exceptional impact potential
  1. Connect to THI Programs: Explicitly reference how your project aligns with or complements existing THI initiatives (VentureGarden, ReGeneration, Plant a Tree, etc.)

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References

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Hellenic Initiative (uk) fund?

Grant Programs Crisis Relief Grants (Nonprofit Organizations): $25,000 - $50,000 Support for established Greek nonprofits addressing humanitarian needs Rolling applications via online submission porta

How much funding does The Hellenic Initiative (uk) provide?

The Hellenic Initiative (uk) provides grants ranging from $10,000 - $50,000 (typical grants $25,000 - $50,000 for nonprofits).

How do I contact The Hellenic Initiative (uk)?

Website: www. thehellenicinitiative.

Is The Hellenic Initiative (uk) a registered charity?

Yes, The Hellenic Initiative (uk) is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 1196224). They primarily serve organisations in Throughout England, Greece.

How do I apply to The Hellenic Initiative (uk)?

How to Apply For Nonprofit Organizations (Crisis Relief/Economic Development): Submit via online portal at thehellenicinitiative. org/new-ideas-submission/ THI reviews submissions within 30 days If interested, THI contacts applicant for further discussion Required Information: Problem and solution description (250 words max) Organization mission and project fit (250 words max) Success metrics with target values (250 words max) Budget breakdown with itemized costs (150 words max) Project duration and management structure For Startups (Venture Impact Awards): Apply via ventureimpactaward. com during September-October Must demonstrate proof of concept and high impact potential Must have received less than $5 million in prior funding For-profit entities only Winners must be present at December ceremony to receive award Decision Timeline Nonprofit Grants: 30-day initial review period Further discussions if THI expresses interest No fixed deadline - rolling applications Venture Impact Awards: September/October: Application period October/November: Deadline and review phase December: Winners announced at ceremony in Athens Reporting Requirements: Venture Impact Award winners submit progress reports at 6 and 12 months Prize payments split into two equal installments, 6 months apart Success Rates Venture Impact Awards 2024: 82 applicants, 8 winners (~10% success rate) 57 total Venture Impact Award winners since 2020 301 total grants made since THI's founding Reapplication Policy Not explicitly stated, but the rolling application process for nonprofit grants suggests unsuccessful applicants may reapply with revised proposals.

Where is The Hellenic Initiative (uk) based?

They fund organisations in Throughout England, Greece.