The Henry Smith Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £61.9 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not specified
• Decision Time: 6 months (full application process)
• Grant Range: £500 - £60,000
• Geographic Focus: UK only

Contact Details

Website: www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk (transitioning to henrysmith.foundation)

Phone: 020 7264 4970

Email: gettingstarted@henrysmith.foundation (for Getting Started programme)

Address: Caledonia House, 3rd Floor, 223 Pentonville Road, London N1 9NG

Application Support: Available by phone or callback request; they encourage contact before submitting applications to discuss fit

Overview

Founded in 1628 through the legacy of Henry Smith, a London businessman, The Henry Smith Charity is one of the UK's largest independent funders with over £1 billion in assets. In 2024, the organization rebranded as the Henry Smith Foundation and awarded £61.9 million to over 900 organizations, reaching 410,000 people. The Foundation has launched its “Elevate Your Impact 2025-30 Strategy,” focusing on supporting people through life's toughest transitions - moments when the right support can unlock opportunity and lead to lasting change. After 400 years of grant-making, they are strengthening their commitment to building partnerships through flexible, long-term funding and simpler application processes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs (2025-2030 Strategy)

• Together We Begin: In-home, face-to-face support for families with young children (amounts TBC)
• Shout!: Advocacy services for young people with learning disabilities, care-experienced, LGBT+, or neurodivergent (amounts TBC)
• Domestic Abuse Fund: Specialist services for marginalized communities experiencing domestic abuse (amounts TBC)
• Holiday Grants Programme: £500 - £2,750 for recreational trips for disadvantaged children aged 13 and under
• Opportunity Fund: For bold, untested approaches (invitation-only, amounts TBC)

Priority Areas (New Strategy Focus)

• Getting Started: Supporting families to give young children a strong start
• Building Independence: Helping young people move into adulthood with confidence, skills and hope
• Safer Futures: Supporting people to rebuild lives after abuse, displacement or prison

What They Don't Fund

• Work outside the UK
• General appeals or sponsorship
• Individual applications
• Capital projects (unless specifically part of programme criteria)

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation has 12 Trustees who meet quarterly, supported by a Grantmaking Committee that meets bi-monthly. Recent leadership appointments include three new Directors: Clare McGread (Director, Getting Started), Rob Bell (Director, Safer Futures), and Ghino as trustee. Notable trustees include Ben (former Deputy CEO of NCVO), Emma (CIO at Guy's & St Thomas's Foundation), and Bella (Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, former Chair of Kent Community Foundation). The Board emphasizes embedding learning, reflection and equity in all their work.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Online application form via Foundation website
• Two-stage process for major programmes
• No fixed deadlines - applications assessed as received
• Pre-application contact encouraged to discuss fit

Decision Timeline

• Stage 1: Up to 8 weeks for initial assessment
• Full process: Approximately 6 months total
• They aim to return calls within 3-5 working days
• Contact recommended if no response within 7 working days of submission

Success Rates

Success rates not publicly disclosed, though the Foundation states they aim to maintain “consistent level of success rate” during transitional periods.

Reapplication Policy

Previous applicants can reapply to new programmes; specific restrictions not detailed in current guidance.

Application Success Factors

The Foundation emphasizes they want to build partnerships rather than just provide funding. Key success factors include:

• Demonstrating work with marginalized communities
• Focus on life transitions and moments of crisis
• Evidence of person-centered, specialist services
• Alignment with their three core priority areas
• Strong advocacy or empowerment elements
• Clear outcomes for beneficiaries facing multiple disadvantages
• Organizational sustainability and strategic approach

Recent successful projects include advocacy services for people with learning disabilities (£2.6m strategic grant supporting 1,667 people) and in-home family support services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Partnership approach: They want to build long-term relationships, not just provide one-off funding
• Transition focus: Target support during life's toughest transitions and crisis points
• Marginalized communities: Strong emphasis on supporting people facing multiple disadvantages
• Evidence-based: They value learning, reflection, and sharing insights for sector benefit
• Flexible funding: New strategy emphasizes longer-term, core funding rather than restricted project grants
• Pre-application engagement: They actively encourage discussion before formal application
• Strategic thinking: They value “bold thinking” and innovative approaches through their Opportunity Fund

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• The Arts Council of England
• BBC Children in Need
• THE A B CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• Greater London Authority
• Trust for London
• Awards for All
• The Tudor Trust
• London Borough of Islington
• Paul Hamlyn Foundation
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• Mayor of London
• The Charles Hayward Foundation
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• HENRY SMITH
• National Lottery
• MY CHILD
• THE LEIGH TRUST
• THE JESSICA MATHERS TRUST

References

• The Henry Smith Charity website: www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk
• Henry Smith Foundation website: henrysmith.foundation
• UK Charity Commission Register entry 230102
• “Elevate Your Impact 2025-30 Strategy” announcement (2024)
• Civil Society article: “400-year-old grantmaker changes name and pledges more flexible funding”
• Foundation governance and people pages
• 2024 grant distribution announcements and programme updates