The Janus Foundation

Charity Number: 1197949

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £156,838 (year ending 31 May 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: Prioritizes Newenden, Kent area; operates throughout England
  • Application Method: No public application process (invitation only/trustee discretion)

Contact Details

Address: 71 New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3DZ

Phone: 01227 949848

Email: info@janusfoundation.org

Website: https://janusfoundation.org/

Important Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests.

Overview

The Janus Foundation was registered as a charitable company on 17 February 2022 (Companies House incorporation: 26 May 2021). In the financial year ending 31 May 2024, the Foundation had total income of £356,819 and total expenditure of £156,838. The Foundation's broad charitable objects are “to advance such objects or purposes in any part of the world as are exclusively charitable,” with support focused around five key themes: history and archaeology, the environment, arts and culture, local community, and medical research. While the Foundation prioritizes projects within a radius around Newenden in Kent, it is not geographically restricted. The Foundation operates through grant-making to both individuals and organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation does not operate formal, publicly advertised grant programs. Grant-making appears to be conducted at the trustees' discretion.

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on five key themes:

  • History and Archaeology: Support for research, excavation, and heritage projects, particularly relating to Kent
  • Environment: Environmental conservation and sustainability projects
  • Arts and Culture: Cultural projects and artistic initiatives
  • Local Community: Community-focused charitable work, with priority for the Newenden, Kent area
  • Medical Research: Supporting medical research initiatives

The Foundation makes grants to both individuals and organizations serving general charitable purposes.

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are publicly documented, though the Foundation's focus on their five priority themes suggests projects outside these areas are unlikely to be supported.

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by six trustees, none of whom receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Current Trustees/Directors:

  • Dr Andrew Frank Richardson FSA (Chair) - Archaeologist appointed in 2021. Dr Richardson is an established specialist in the archaeology of the kingdom of Kent, serving as Outreach and Archives Manager at Canterbury Archaeological Trust, Hon. Curator at Kent Archaeological Society, and Director of Isle Heritage CIC and the Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust. He completed his doctoral thesis on 'The Anglo-Saxon cemeteries of Kent' (published 2005) at Cardiff University.
  • Kate Bright - Director
  • Natasha Cowley - Director
  • Kelly Crush - Director
  • Simon James Weymouth - Director

Former Trustees:

  • Susan Joyce Bourne (resigned 19 April 2024)
  • Revd. Jaques Desrosiers (resigned 17 March 2025)
  • Reverend Christopher Maclean (resigned 16 January 2024)
  • Ake Georg Nilson (resigned 16 January 2024)
  • Sara Elizabeth Spratt (resigned 28 April 2022)
  • Vanessa Ferrett (resigned 21 June 2021)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Janus Foundation does not have a public application process. The Foundation explicitly states on its website that it “does not accept unsolicited grant requests.”

Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion, likely based on projects and organizations identified through the trustees' networks and connections within the charitable sectors they support. The Foundation makes grants to both individuals and organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

Given Dr Andrew Richardson's prominent role as Chair and his extensive connections in Kent's archaeological and heritage sectors, organizations working in these fields may encounter the Foundation through:

  • Canterbury Archaeological Trust: Dr Richardson serves as Outreach and Archives Manager, creating potential touchpoints for heritage organizations
  • Kent Archaeological Society: Through Dr Richardson's role as Hon. Curator, the Foundation may have awareness of archaeological projects in Kent
  • Isle Heritage CIC and Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust: Dr Richardson's directorships suggest interest in maritime heritage and Bronze Age archaeology

The Foundation has funded academic research, including the 'Kent's Maritime Communities' project with Dr Craig Lambert at the University of Southampton.

However, given the explicit statement that unsolicited applications are not accepted, organizations should not approach the Foundation speculatively. Contact should only be made if there is a pre-existing relationship or connection through the trustees' networks.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. As the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, conventional success rate metrics do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Application Success Factors

As The Janus Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis without public application processes, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on available information:

Alignment with Foundation Interests:

  • Projects within the five priority themes (history and archaeology, environment, arts and culture, local community, medical research)
  • Geographic connection to Kent, particularly the Newenden area, though not exclusively
  • Strong archaeological or heritage credentials, particularly relating to Kent's history

Trustee Connections:

  • The Chair's specialization in Kent archaeology suggests projects in this area may align with the Foundation's interests
  • Dr Richardson's research focus on Anglo-Saxon Kent and maritime heritage indicates potential areas of interest
  • The Foundation has supported academic research, indicating openness to scholarly projects

Known Funded Projects:

  • 'Kent's Maritime Communities' project (Dr Craig Lambert, University of Southampton) - examining Kent's links with Europe c.1450-1640

Organizational Approach:

  • The Foundation appears to identify projects proactively rather than responding to applications
  • Grants are made at trustees' discretion based on alignment with charitable objects
  • Both individuals and organizations are eligible for support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: The Janus Foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited grant requests; do not submit speculative applications
  • Trustee-led grant-making: Grants appear to be awarded based on projects identified through trustee networks and connections
  • Strong Kent heritage focus: With an archaeologist Chair specializing in Kent, projects related to the region's history and archaeology may align well with Foundation interests
  • Five priority themes: Ensure any potential project aligns with history and archaeology, environment, arts and culture, local community, or medical research
  • Geographic priority: While not geographically restricted, the Foundation prioritizes projects around Newenden, Kent
  • Academic research supported: The Foundation has demonstrated willingness to support scholarly historical research projects
  • Relationship-based funding: Success appears to depend on connections within the trustees' professional and charitable networks rather than competitive application processes

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