The Howard Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £180,540 (charitable expenditure 2024)
• Success Rate: Not available - invitation/trustee discretion only
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Cambridge/UK with global research impact

Contact Details

• Website: www.howard-foundation.com
• Email: secretary@howard-foundation.com
• Phone: 7545895034
• Charity Number: 285822

Overview

The Howard Foundation is a charitable trust established in 1982 by Dr. Alan Howard, who used proceeds from commercializing the Cambridge Diet to create this foundation. With total income of £1.66 million (2024), primarily from investments (£1.26 million), the foundation focuses on two distinct areas: supporting infrastructure at Downing College, Cambridge University, and sponsoring biomedical research. The foundation operates with 5 trustees and minimal administrative overhead, directing charitable expenditure of £180,540 annually toward its core objectives of advancing health sciences and education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-discretion grants focused on:

• Downing College Infrastructure: Support for construction and maintenance of buildings
• Biomedical Research Sponsorship: Direct funding for research programs at universities

Priority Areas

• Scientific research into nutraceuticals and nutritional supplements
• Human nutrition research
• Eye health and carotenoid research
• Omega-3 fatty acid studies
• Alzheimer's disease prevention research
• Infrastructure support for Downing College, Cambridge
• Research aimed at relieving malnutrition in developing countries

What They Don't Fund

• General charitable causes outside their specific focus areas
• Projects unrelated to biomedical research or Downing College
• Organizations without established research credentials

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates with 5 trustees and relies on one volunteer for support. No staff members earn over £60,000, maintaining a lean operational structure that maximizes funds available for charitable activities. The foundation was established by Dr. Alan Howard, whose vision continues to guide the foundation's strategic direction toward nutritional science and academic infrastructure.

How to Apply to The Howard Foundation

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to specific institutions and research programs aligned with the foundation's objectives. The foundation has established relationships with University of Cambridge (particularly Downing College), University of Ulster, and Waterford Institute of Technology (now South East Technological University).

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed - decisions are made at trustee meetings

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding patterns:

• Strong alignment with biomedical research, particularly in nutrition and health
• Established research credentials in nutraceuticals or eye health
• Connection to Cambridge University or Downing College
• Research with potential for global health impact, particularly in developing countries
• Projects that can demonstrate clear pathways from research to practical health benefits
• Previous track record in nutritional science or related biomedical fields

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Howard Foundation operates as a private trust with no public application process
• Funding is directed toward specific institutions with established relationships
• Strong focus on translational research that can lead to commercial health products
• Dual mission of supporting Downing College infrastructure and biomedical research
• Investment-driven income model provides stable but limited funding capacity
• Best approached through academic connections or research collaborations with their existing partners

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council Of England
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Backstage Trust
• The Keith Howard Foundation
• The Liz And Terry Bramall Foundation
• Benefact Trust Limited
• The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
• The Grace Trust
• The Linbury Trust
• The Big Give Trust
• The 29th May 1961 Charity
• The Wolfson Foundation
• The Rayne Foundation
• The Hadley Trust
• The D'oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• The Morrisons Foundation
• The London Community Foundation
• National Lottery
• The Foyle Foundation
• The Welfare Association

References

• The Howard Foundation official website (www.howard-foundation.com) -
• Charity Commission for England and Wales, Charity Details for The Howard Foundation (285822) -
• Charity Commission Annual Returns and Accounts records -