The Keith Howard Foundation

Charity Number: 1127093

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M
Geographic Focus: North Yorkshire, East Riding Of Yorkshire, Barnsley, Bradford City, Doncaster, Leeds City

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £969,070 (2023)
  • Total Given Since 2008: Over £18 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed at October board meeting annually
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified
  • Geographic Focus: Yorkshire region exclusively

Contact Details

Address: 12 Wells Promenade, Ilkley, LS29 9LF

Website: https://www.keithhowardfoundation.co.uk/

Email: mtomlinson@khfoundation.co.uk

Phone: 07908 426 823

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-keith-howard-foundation/

Application Portal: Online application form available on website

Overview

The Keith Howard Foundation (previously The Emerald Foundation) was established in 2008 by the late Dr Keith Howard OBE, a Yorkshire-raised philanthropist and businessman. The foundation has distributed over £18 million since inception, with £969,070 granted in 2023. Dr Howard received an OBE in 2011 for services to business, sport and the arts in West Yorkshire, and was awarded a Medal for Arts Philanthropy by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2009. Following his death in 2021, his family continues his legacy, with the foundation maintaining its exclusive focus on Yorkshire-based charities across four key areas: The Arts, Sports, Social Mobility, and Animal Welfare. The foundation's vision is “inspiring action to enable long term societal change and positive impact within Yorkshire.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates with fixed annual deadlines through an online application system. The application window typically opens in July and closes at the end of September, with decisions made at the October trustee board meeting for funding in the following year.

Geographic Requirement: All funded organizations must be based in Yorkshire.

Priority Areas

The foundation funds projects aligned with three key strands across their four focus areas:

1. Education

  • Scholarships and bursary programs
  • Outdoor education experiences
  • Youth theatre and arts education
  • Personal and social education programs

2. Access & Participation

  • Removing financial barriers to participation
  • Programs for diverse and underrepresented groups
  • Inclusive activities for people with disabilities
  • Community engagement initiatives

3. Healthy Lives

  • Physical health programs (adapted sports, dance)
  • Mental health support
  • Social wellbeing initiatives
  • Programs supporting vulnerable groups

The Arts: Currently supports 10 organizations including Yorkshire Youth and Music Ltd, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, Northern Ballet, Leeds International Piano Competition, Leeds Heritage Theatres, Northern Opera Group, Door 84, Tender Education and Arts (North), and Seaglass Collective. Focuses on youth engagement, inclusive programming, and removing barriers to arts participation.

Sports: Currently supports 5 organizations including Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Bradford Bulls Foundation, The Brownlee Foundation, and SELFA. Emphasizes inclusive sports programs across all ages and abilities, from children's holiday camps to walking cricket for older adults.

Social Mobility: Currently supports 12 organizations including University of Bradford, Into University, Smart Works Leeds, One in a Million Free School and Charity, Bradford Grammar School, Nell Bank Charitable Trust, Impact Living, The Forward Trust, Chapter One, Life Education, Power2, and Talk the Talk. Prioritizes educational opportunities, skill-building, and support for disadvantaged communities.

Animal Welfare: Currently supports 10 organizations including Whitehall Dog Rescue, Hope Pastures, Yorkshire Cat Rescue, West Yorkshire Animals in Need, Yorkshire Animal Shelter, S.A.R.A, Whitby Dog Rescue, Filey Cat Rescue, Yorkshire Rescue, and Phyllis Harvey Horse & Donkey Trust. Focuses on rescue and rehabilitation of animals in critical need.

What They Don't Fund

  • Capital Projects: The foundation explicitly will not support capital projects
  • Salaries: Direct salary costs are not funded
  • Organizations outside Yorkshire: Geographic restriction is strictly applied

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Melissa C. Tomlinson - Chair

Karen Fojt - Trustee

Howard Fojt - Trustee

Siobhan Fojt - Trustee

Martin Hasyn - Trustee

Vicky Williams - Trustee

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Key Statement from Leadership

Melissa Tomlinson, Chair of the Keith Howard Foundation, stated: "We're delighted to support the University of Bradford through the Howard Opportunities Programme. Social mobility is a key component of the work the Foundation supports across Yorkshire." This demonstrates the foundation's commitment to removing barriers and creating opportunities for disadvantaged communities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online application form available on the foundation's website.

Application Requirements:

  • Contact details
  • Charity name and registration number
  • Brief charity summary (maximum 500 words)
  • Optional links to annual accounts and charity website
  • Specification of funding area (Arts, Sports, Social Mobility, Animal Welfare)
  • Specification of sub-area (Access/Participation, Education, Healthy Lives)
  • Confirmation that charity is based in Yorkshire
  • Funding request summary (maximum 500 words)
  • Requested funding amount

Important: Applicants should review the foundation's Grant Giving Policy before applying and ensure they understand the foundation's work and focus areas.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Window: July to September annually (for funding in the following year)
  • Trustee Meetings: The board meets three times annually (March, July, October)
  • Decision Meeting: Applications are reviewed at the October board meeting
  • Notification: After October meeting
  • Funding Year: For the year following application (e.g., apply July-September 2026 for 2027 funding)

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The foundation does not disclose the number of applications received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy or restrictions are published on the foundation's website. Unsuccessful applicants should review feedback and may consider reapplying in future funding cycles.

Application Success Factors

What Makes Applications Stand Out

1. Strong Alignment with Key Strands: Successful projects clearly demonstrate how they support Education, Access & Participation, or Healthy Lives within one of the four funding areas.

2. Yorkshire Focus: The foundation exclusively supports Yorkshire-based organizations and has deep roots in the region. Applications should emphasize local impact and community connections.

3. Removing Barriers: The foundation consistently funds projects that remove financial or social barriers to participation. Examples include:

  • Leeds Heritage Theatres' bursary places for Youth Theatre members
  • Nell Bank's Assisted Places Scheme enabling disadvantaged children to access outdoor education
  • Yorkshire Cricket Foundation's Enjoy Cricket camps costing as little as £1 per day

4. Inclusive Programming: Successful projects serve diverse populations:

  • Northern Ballet's “Ability” program for adults with learning disabilities
  • Walking Cricket for older adults with mobility limitations
  • Cardio Cricket engaging women who don't typically participate in sports

5. Long-term Impact: The foundation seeks to enable “long term societal change and positive impact.” Applications should demonstrate sustainable outcomes rather than one-off events.

6. Collaborative Approach: The foundation values working “closely, professionally, and collaboratively with all their charity partners.” Show willingness to engage in ongoing partnership.

Examples of Funded Projects

  • Leeds Heritage Theatres: Learning & Engagement programme providing 10,000 engagement opportunities annually (14+ years of support)
  • Northern Ballet's “Rise”: Education project focusing on health and wellbeing in schools
  • Yorkshire Cricket Foundation's “Crick-Eat”: Free meals and cricket activities during school holidays for families reliant on free school meals
  • Whitehall Dog Rescue: Rehabilitation, training, and medical treatment for dogs on death row
  • Hope Pastures: Vet, farrier, dentist, feed and bedding costs for rescued horses, ponies, and donkeys

Key Language and Terminology

The foundation consistently uses terms such as:

  • “Removing barriers”
  • “Creating opportunities”
  • “Inclusive”
  • “Access and participation”
  • “Long-term societal change”
  • “Positive impact”
  • “Community engagement”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Yorkshire-only: This is non-negotiable. Your organization must be based in Yorkshire, and your project should emphasize local community impact.
  1. Fit one of the three strands: Clearly articulate how your project supports Education, Access & Participation, or Healthy Lives within your chosen funding area (Arts, Sports, Social Mobility, or Animal Welfare).
  1. Don't ask for capital or salaries: These are explicitly excluded. Focus on project delivery costs, direct support for beneficiaries, and program expenses.
  1. Plan ahead: With applications due in July-September for funding in the following year, you need to plan 12-18 months ahead of when you need the money.
  1. Emphasize barrier removal: Show how your project removes financial, social, or physical barriers preventing people from participating. Use concrete examples and specific costs.
  1. Demonstrate inclusivity: Highlight how your project serves diverse or underrepresented groups, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  1. Be concise: With 500-word limits on key sections, every word counts. Focus on impact, beneficiaries, and alignment with foundation priorities rather than organizational history.
  1. Show sustainability: The foundation has supported some partners for 14+ years. Demonstrate how your project creates lasting change rather than short-term fixes.

Similar Funders

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References