The John Booth Charitable Foundation
Charity Number: 1127397
Stay updated on changes from The John Booth Charitable Foundation and other funders
Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £1,821,434 (most recent year)
- Total Income: £744,537
- Decision Time: Trustees meet 3-4 times per year
- Geographic Focus: Primarily England
- Foundation Type: Discretionary grant-making trust
- Total Assets: Approximately £22 million in investments
Contact Details
Registered Address: 9 Cambridge Gate, London, NW1 4JX
Phone: 020 7486 2201
Charity Number: 1127397
Website: None (the Trust does not maintain a website)
Note: Further information is available on the Charity Commission website.
Overview
The John Booth Charitable Foundation was incorporated on 5 January 2009 and promotes charitable purposes for the benefit of the public, primarily in England. The Foundation provides grants at the absolute discretion of the Trustee body, made largely in the areas of education, the arts and the Christian religion. With approximately £22 million in investments, the Foundation distributed £1,821,434 in charitable activities in its most recent reporting year. The Foundation is chaired by John David Sebastian Booth CVO, a prominent figure in the arts and philanthropy sectors who also serves as Chairman of the National Gallery and Vice President of The King's Trust. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Foundation operates a discretionary grant-making programme across three main areas, with decisions made by trustees meeting 3-4 times per year. While specific grant ranges are not publicly disclosed, the Foundation distributed over £1.8 million in charitable activities in its most recent year.
Priority Areas
The Arts
- Helping arts organisations put on performances, exhibitions and social programmes
- Supporting projects that enhance the quality of life of the communities they serve
- Arts and heritage charities
Christian Religion
- Empowering churches and faith groups to benefit the common good
- Supporting food banks, credit unions and other outreach activities
- Faith-based community programmes
Education
- Enabling significant numbers of young people to have access to education and training
- A small amount of grant funding is made to individuals, largely to enable study in higher education
- Educational access and opportunity programmes
Additional Support
The Foundation occasionally offers loans on concessionary terms to beneficiaries where the use of funds furthers the objectives of the Foundation.
What They Don't Fund
While not explicitly stated, the Foundation's focus on education, the arts and Christian religion suggests limited support for projects outside these areas.
Ready to write a winning application for The John Booth Charitable Foundation?
Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.
Governance and Leadership
Trustees
John David Sebastian Booth CVO - Chair
- Chairman of the National Gallery's Board of Trustees
- Vice President of The King's Trust
- Chairman of The Royal Drawing School
- Trustee of the Chatsworth Settlement and the Arts Foundation
- Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and of Merton College, Oxford
- Member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences
- Ambassador for Depaul International (homelessness charity)
- Non-executive director of several investment management businesses
The Rt Revd Dr Martin Clive Warner - Trustee
- Bishop of Chichester
- Wide-ranging interests in the arts, including opera and theatre
- Previously made significant contributions to St Paul's Cathedral's connection with the art world
Mr Timothy Mark Ashley - Trustee
- The Right Reverend Doctor
- British trustee with extensive charitable sector experience
The Foundation maintains contact with both organisations and individuals supported to assess their performance against funding criteria after a grant is made.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Important: The John Booth Charitable Foundation operates primarily through known contacts and recommendations rather than open applications.
The Trustees consider applications from:
- Charitable organisations known or recommended to them
- Individuals known or recommended to them
- Particularly those falling within the areas of education, the Christian faith and the arts
No Website or Online Portal: The Trust does not have a website or online application system.
Contact: Applications can be directed to the Foundation at 9 Cambridge Gate, London, NW1 4JX or by phone at 020 7486 2201.
Decision Timeline
- Trustees meet 3-4 times per year to consider short-listed applications
- Applications are short-listed before being presented to the trustee meetings
- Specific timeframes from submission to decision are not publicly disclosed
Success Rates
Success rates and application numbers are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation's approach of working primarily with known or recommended organisations and individuals suggests a relatively selective process.
Reapplication Policy
No specific information is available regarding reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.
Application Success Factors
Key Considerations
Personal Connection or Recommendation
The Foundation's stated preference for applications from organisations and individuals “known or recommended to them” suggests that having a personal connection or trusted recommendation is crucial for success.
Strong Alignment with Core Areas
Projects should clearly align with one of the three priority areas: the arts, Christian religion, or education. The most successful applications will demonstrate how they enhance community quality of life, enable educational access, or support faith-based community outreach.
Post-Grant Accountability
The Foundation maintains contact with supported organisations and individuals to assess performance against funding criteria, indicating they value accountability and measurable outcomes.
Strategic Approach
Given the Chairman's prominent roles at the National Gallery, The King's Trust, and The Royal Drawing School, applications from organisations working in similar areas or with complementary missions may be particularly well-received.
Community Impact
The Foundation's descriptions emphasize community benefit—arts organisations should show how they “enhance the quality of life of the communities they serve,” while faith groups should demonstrate how they “benefit the common good.”
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Relationship-based grantmaking: This Foundation prioritizes applications from known or recommended contacts. Building a relationship or securing a recommendation is likely essential before applying.
- Significant capacity: With over £1.8 million distributed annually and £22 million in investments, this is a substantial funder capable of making meaningful grants.
- Discretionary approach: Grants are made “at the absolute discretion of the Trustee body,” suggesting flexible decision-making rather than rigid criteria.
- Quality over quantity: With only 3-4 trustee meetings per year and a preference for known contacts, the Foundation takes a careful, considered approach to grantmaking.
- Arts focus with prominent leadership: The Chairman's high-profile roles in major arts institutions (National Gallery, Royal Drawing School, Arts Foundation) indicate sophisticated arts sector knowledge and likely preference for quality arts programming.
- Faith and education: The inclusion of two senior religious figures (a Bishop and a Right Reverend Doctor) as trustees signals genuine commitment to Christian-focused work and suggests these areas receive serious consideration.
- No unsolicited applications recommended: Without a website, public guidelines, or open application process, unsolicited applications may not be effective. Focus on building connections or securing recommendations first.
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
References
- Charity Commission Register of Charities. “THE JOHN BOOTH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION - 1127397.” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1127397&subId=0
- Companies House. “THE JOHN BOOTH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION overview.” https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06782980
- Bath and North East Somerset Council. “The John Booth Charitable Foundation.” https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/88114
- National Gallery. "John Booth reappointed as Chair of the National Gallery's Board of Trustees." https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/about-us/press-and-media/press-releases/john-booth-reappointed-as-chair-of-the-national-gallery-s-board-of-trustees-and-remains-as-its-chairman
- GOV.UK. “John Booth reappointed as Chair of the National Gallery.” https://www.gov.uk/government/news/john-booth-reappointed-as-chair-of-the-national-gallery
- Giving is Great. “THE JOHN BOOTH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | Charity Factsheet.” https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1127397