The John Thaw Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £90,000-£95,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2-4 months (dependent on meeting cycle)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £3,000
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Application Meetings: Twice yearly (January and June/July)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.clareeden.com/jtf

Email: clare@clareeden.com

Phone: 07973 740885

Address: 60 Colegrave Road, London E15 1ED

Note: Applicants must request current guidelines before applying. The Foundation does not have an independent website.

Overview

The John Thaw Foundation was established by declaration of trust on 15 January 2002 in memory of the actor John Thaw CBE (1942-2002), best known for his iconic television roles as Detective Chief Inspector Morse and Detective Inspector Jack Regan in The Sweeney. The Foundation is described by Dame Sheila Hancock, John's widow and trustee, as “a small charity that I have the honour of continuing for him with a dedicated Board of Trustees.” With annual grant-making of approximately £90,000-£95,000 and total expenditure of £119,358 (year ending February 2024), the Foundation supports disadvantaged and underprivileged young people through carefully selected theatre-related projects run by established organisations and smaller grassroots groups across the UK. The Foundation's approach is highly personal and hands-on, with trustees or volunteers attending performances and presentations to monitor project efficacy in person.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme: £1,000 - £3,000

• Applications accepted on a rolling basis for review at biannual trustee meetings
• Decisions made in January and June/July
• Supports theatre-related projects that help disadvantaged children and young people

Priority Areas

The Foundation has two main charitable objects:

1. Education and Scholarships: Funding scholarships for persons who wish to make theatre their career and who cannot afford fees of necessary educational institutions

1. Support for Theatrical Charities: Projects and organisations using theatre to help disadvantaged and underprivileged children and young people

Specific Focus Areas:

• Young offenders or those at risk of offending
• Young people excluded from school
• Young carers or care leavers
• Children with complex mental or physical disabilities
• Conflict resolution programs (gang culture, bullying)
• Cultural enrichment opportunities (such as music provision in schools)
• Families struggling with economic disadvantage

Recent Grant Recipients Include:

• National Theatre Connections programme (Britain's biggest youth theatre festival)
• Theatre Royal Stratford East (young people's work)
• Community Learning Partners Leeds
• New Vic Theatre

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in available documentation, the Foundation's clear focus on theatre-related projects for disadvantaged young people in England and Wales suggests they do not fund:

• Projects outside England and Wales
• Non-theatre related activities
• Work not primarily benefiting disadvantaged young people
• Individual applicants (scholarships appear to go through educational institutions)
• General running costs unconnected to specific projects

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Dame Sheila Hancock CBE (John Thaw's widow, acclaimed actress)
• Abigail Thaw (appointed 2014, John Thaw's daughter, actress)
• Helen Cotterill
• Clare Vidal-Hall (Foundation Administrator, trading as Clare Eden)
• Julie Linda Martine Legrand (appointed 2014)
• Lola Isobel Byam Shaw (appointed 2020)

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Foundation is managed day-to-day by Clare Eden (formerly Clare Vidal-Hall) from her consultancy.

Dame Sheila Hancock's Statement: In interviews, Hancock has stated that one of her aims is “to boost funds for the John Thaw Foundation, which funds small projects, mostly to do with underprivileged children and those with learning disabilities.” She describes it as continuing the charitable work John established before his death.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Request current guidelines by emailing clare@clareeden.com. This is mandatory even for previous applicants, as guidelines are updated regularly.

Step 2: Submit written application addressing the criteria in the guidelines. Applications may be made at any time throughout the year.

Step 3: Applications are reviewed at one of two trustee meetings held annually, typically in January and June/July.

Important Notes:

• The Foundation has no independent website
• Guidelines must be requested directly from the administrator
• Do not use any old PO Box addresses - only current contact details are valid

Decision Timeline

Applications are considered at trustee meetings held twice per year:

• January meeting: For applications received in preceding months
• June/July meeting: For applications received since January

Typical timeline from submission to decision: 2-4 months, depending on when your application is received relative to the next scheduled meeting.

Notification method is not specified in available documentation but likely via email or post from the administrator.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publish data on application volumes or success rates. With approximately £90,000-£95,000 available annually and typical grants of £1,000-£3,000, the Foundation likely makes 30-50 grants per year. As a small foundation with limited resources, competition for funding is presumed to be significant.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions are documented. Applicants should request updated guidelines for each application, suggesting that reapplications are accepted. The Foundation's focus on “carefully selected projects” suggests that demonstrating clear impact from previous grants (if applicable) would strengthen reapplications.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values:

1. Observable Impact: The Foundation is “vigilant in monitoring outcomes” and wherever possible, trustees or volunteers attend performances, presentations, or observe work in practice to “monitor the efficacy of the project in person.” Applications should clearly articulate what can be observed and measured.

1. Targeted Support for Smaller Projects: The Foundation explicitly states it “tries to give to smaller projects, where they can see the money will make a real difference.” Demonstrate how a £1,000-£3,000 grant will create meaningful impact rather than being absorbed into a large budget.

1. Direct Benefit to Disadvantaged Young People: Projects must clearly identify and describe the specific disadvantaged groups they serve. The Foundation funds work with young offenders, excluded youth, care leavers, young carers, and those with disabilities.

1. Theatre as a Tool for Change: While theatre is central to the Foundation's mission, it values projects that use theatre for broader purposes - confidence building, conflict resolution, education, and skill development for young people who might pursue theatre careers.

1. Established Track Record or Clear Structure: The Foundation supports both “established organisations” and “smaller grass roots groups,” but all must demonstrate they can deliver effectively. New organisations should show strong governance and delivery plans.

1. Connection to John Thaw's Legacy: While not explicitly required, projects that align with the values John Thaw embodied - giving opportunities to those from disadvantaged backgrounds who have talent and determination - resonate with the Foundation's mission.

Red Flags to Avoid:

• Vague descriptions of beneficiaries or outcomes
• Projects where a small grant would have minimal impact in a large budget
• Proposals that don't clearly involve theatre or performing arts
• Lack of detail on how project outcomes will be demonstrated or evidenced

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Request guidelines first: This is mandatory and shows you understand their process. Contact clare@clareeden.com before drafting your application.

• Small grants, big impact: Emphasize how £1,000-£3,000 will make a tangible, observable difference. Be specific about what this money will fund.

• Plan for evaluation visits: The Foundation wants to see your work in person. Describe what trustees or volunteers will observe if they attend a performance or presentation.

• Apply with timing in mind: With only two decision meetings per year (January and June/July), plan your application submission to align with your project timeline.

• Focus on disadvantaged youth: Clearly identify which specific disadvantaged groups you serve and provide context about their challenges and how theatre will help.

• Use theatre as transformation: Show how performing arts will develop skills, confidence, resolve conflicts, or open opportunities for young people who face barriers.

• Be patient: As a small foundation with a hands-on approach, the process takes time. Factor 2-4 months from application to decision into your planning.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• Jack Petchey Foundation
• THE CHILDHOOD TRUST
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• The Garrick Charitable Trust
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• THE CALLEVA FOUNDATION
• The Wolfson Foundation
• Backstage Trust
• Suffolk Community Foundation
• The Wimbledon Foundation
• The Big Give Trust
• BBC Children in Need
• Peter Sowerby Foundation
• The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• The Golden Bottle Trust
• THE TOTTENHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOUNDATION
• The Kirby Laing Foundation
• Heritage Lottery Fund
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION

References

• The John Thaw Foundation page on Bath and North East Somerset Council website, accessed 19 March 2026: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/93094

• John Thaw Foundation information on Action Together website, accessed 19 March 2026: https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/john-thaw-foundation

• The John Thaw Foundation Charity Commission entry (Charity Number 1090668), accessed 19 March 2026: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3988280

• Giving is Great charity factsheet for The John Thaw Foundation, accessed 19 March 2026: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1090668

• Theatre Royal Stratford East Current Supporters page, accessed 19 March 2026: https://www.stratfordeast.com/support-us/current-supporters/

• National Theatre Connections 2025 supporters list, accessed 19 March 2026: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/whats-on/connections-2025/

• John Thaw Wikipedia biography, accessed 19 March 2026: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Thaw

• Sheila Hancock information sources including The Irish Times and Wikipedia, accessed 19 March 2026