The John S Cohen Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £453,681 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 21277, London W9 2YH

Phone: 020 7286 6921

Email: Not available

Website: The Foundation does not maintain a website

Contact Person: Ms Diana Helme

Overview

The John S Cohen Foundation (registered charity 241598) is a UK grant-making trust established to support charitable organizations across multiple sectors. With total income of £505,801 in the 2023-24 financial year and charitable expenditure of £453,681, the Foundation generates its income from an endowment fund. The Foundation is particularly active in supporting the arts, higher education, conservation and the environment. Operating throughout England and Wales, the Foundation employs 1 staff member and is governed by 4 trustees, none of whom receive remuneration. The Foundation has a long-standing commitment to supporting UK registered charities through small grants, typically providing ongoing support to organizations aligned with its mission.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Small Grants Programme: £1,000 - £5,000 (typically £1,000 - £3,000)
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis
• Written applications may be made at any time
• No online portal; applications by post

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports UK registered charities working in:

• The Arts: Music, cultural projects, and arts education
• Higher Education: Educational institutions and programs
• Conservation and Environment: The built and natural environment
• Heritage: Historic buildings, churches, and conservation projects
• Medical and Social Welfare: Charitable organizations in these sectors

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Organizations outside England and Wales
• Non-registered charities

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Dr David Cohen
• Imogen Caroline Cohen
• Jillian Elizabeth Barker
• Jillian Elizabeth Cohen
• Olivia Julia Ann Cohen
• Olivia Julia Ann Qizilbash

Key Staff

• Ms Diana Helme (Contact Person)

All trustees serve without remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The Foundation maintains a focused governance structure with no trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Method: Written applications by post
• Timing: Applications may be made at any time (rolling basis)
• Address: Send applications to PO Box 21277, London W9 2YH
• No website: All communication must be by post or telephone
• Pre-application: No formal pre-application process specified

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. Applicants should allow adequate time for postal communication and trustee review.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not publicly specified. The Foundation has demonstrated ongoing support for organizations it has previously funded (e.g., Apollo Music Projects received multiple grants).

Application Success Factors

Funded Projects:

• Apollo Music Projects (2021): Received £5,000 “to ensure as many children as possible are able to experience live music.” The organization noted the Foundation's “ongoing support of our work,” suggesting repeat funding for effective organizations.
• Royal Academy of Arts: Listed as a supported organization, demonstrating support for established arts institutions.
• National Churches Trust: Listed as a funding source for church conservation projects.

Key Success Factors:

• Mission alignment: Organizations should clearly demonstrate how their work aligns with the Foundation's priority areas (arts, education, conservation, heritage, or welfare)
• Established organizations: Evidence suggests preference for UK registered charities with track records
• Clear outcomes: The Apollo Music Projects grant specified measurable impact (“as many children as possible”)
• Ongoing relationships: The Foundation appears to provide repeat funding to successful grantees
• Small to medium scale projects: Grant amounts suggest preference for specific projects or programs rather than core institutional costs

Application Tips:

• Given the lack of website and online presence, written applications should be comprehensive and professional
• Clearly state registration as a UK charity
• Specify exact grant amount requested within the £1,000-£5,000 range
• Demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes
• Consider that the Foundation's income is investment-based, so it seeks to balance current spending with capital preservation
• Applications can be made at any time, so timing is flexible

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small grants specialist: This is a small grants funder; tailor applications for £1,000-£5,000 rather than major funding
• Traditional process: No online portal means professional written applications are essential; quality of written communication matters
• Broad remit with focus: While the Foundation supports six areas, it is “particularly active” in arts, higher education, and conservation
• Relationship-based: Evidence of repeat funding suggests building ongoing relationships with the Foundation can lead to continued support
• No website means limited information: Research on past grants and priorities is limited; contact directly for specific guidance
• Rolling applications: No deadlines means you can apply when ready, but also means timing of decisions is unpredictable
• England and Wales only: Ensure your organization operates within the geographic scope
• Investment-funded: The Foundation's endowment-based model suggests stability but also fiscal prudence in grant-making

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Mayor of London
• Ecological Restoration Fund
• The Clore Duffield Foundation
• Academy of Medical Sciences
• THE HEADLEY TRUST
• Synchronicity Earth
• THE RUFFORD FOUNDATION
• BOTANIC GARDENS CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
• P F Charitable Trust
• The Goodman Foundation
• Denise Coates Foundation
• THE ROSE FOUNDATION
• The Kirby Laing Foundation
• THE TOWN HALL
• Bloomberg
• Financial Times
• THE BIG GIVE TRUST
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The John S Cohen Foundation (Charity No. 241598). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=241598&subid=0 [Accessed: January 2025]

1. Charity Commission Trustees Information - The John S Cohen Foundation. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/241598/trustees [Accessed: January 2025]

1. Apollo Music Projects (2021). “John S Cohen Foundation Funding.” Available at: https://www.apollomusicprojects.org/archive-blogs/2021/09/john-s-cohen-foundation-funding [Accessed: January 2025]

Grant amount: £5,000 “to ensure as many children as possible are able to experience live music this year”

1. National Churches Trust. “John S Cohen Foundation.” Available at: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/support-organisations/john-s-cohen-foundation [Accessed: January 2025]

1. Royal Academy of Arts. “The John S Cohen Foundation | Organisations | RA Collection.” Available at: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/organisation/the-john-s-cohen-foundation [Accessed: January 2025]

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council. “The John S Cohen Foundation.” Available at: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/88102 [Accessed: January 2025]

1. Charity Choice. “The John S Cohen Foundation.” Available at: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-john-s-cohen-foundation-153470 [Accessed: January 2025]