The Linder Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £450,000 (approximately 30 grants per year)
• Assets: £12 million
• Decision Time: 3-4 months (depending on trustee meeting cycle)
• Grant Range: Average £15,000 (individual grants have ranged from £15,000 to £23,730+)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (England and Wales)
• Grant Coverage: Must cover at least 50% of total project costs

Contact Details

Website: www.thelinderfoundation.org.uk

Email: admin@thelinderfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 020 3997 4444

Address: c/o The Trust Partnership, 6 Trull Farm Buildings, Trull, Gloucestershire GL8 8SQ

Overview

The Linder Foundation was established in 1974 and operates under a trust deed (amended most recently in 2021). With assets of approximately £12 million, the Foundation distributes around £450,000 annually through approximately 30 grants to UK registered charities. Originally known as the Enid Linder Foundation, it continues the philanthropic legacy of Enid and Leslie Linder. The Foundation positions itself as an early-stage funder willing to support innovative and often untested projects that other funders may overlook, seeking to be “a major stakeholder” in the initiatives it supports. The Foundation prioritizes projects with potential for replication, scaling, and long-lasting impact in marginalized communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Environment (Open application via Eligibility Checker)

• Average grant: £15,000
• Focus: Land-based biodiversity projects and species preservation/reintroduction
• Priority given to sustainable farming practices, regenerative agriculture, and habitat enhancement
• Projects can be rural or urban, farm-based or across connected farms
• Must demonstrate volunteer/community engagement and potential for scaling

Young People (Open application via Eligibility Checker)

• Average grant: £15,000 (can exceed for exceptional projects, e.g., £23,730 to Crysalys Foundation)
• Focus: Vulnerable young people aged 12-24 who have experienced adverse childhood experiences and trauma
• Supports those in the community, in prison, young offenders institutions, or on release
• Emphasis on early intervention and rehabilitation to prevent offending/re-offending

Hospices and Respite Care (By invitation only)

• Focus on relieving pain and end-of-life care for marginalized groups
• Recent initiative: Partnership with Hospice UK for “Dying Behind Bars” programme (grants up to £15,000)
• Supports innovative approaches to palliative care access

Medical Electives (By invitation only)

• Partnerships with seven UK medical schools
• Supports medical students undertaking electives

The Arts (By invitation only, though organizations may email directly)

• Notable ongoing commitment: Sponsorship of V&A Illustration Awards (prizes totaling £3,000 per category winner, plus £5,000 overall winner)
• Focus on musical tuition, concerts, and youth arts programming

Priority Areas

Environment:

• Biodiversity improvements (sustainable farming, regenerative agriculture)
• Species preservation/reintroduction (priority for red list species per Joint Nature Conservation Committee)
• Carbon capture and sequestration initiatives
• Projects with research elements providing evidence for systemic change
• Local or regional scope with potential for replication

Young People:

• Intensive interventions delivered over time with measurable outcomes
• Trauma-informed approaches
• Crime-experienced mentor involvement
• Support for looked after children and children in care
• Projects strengthening families to keep children out of care
• Innovative, targeted programming

What They Don't Fund

General Exclusions:

• Projects outside the UK
• Applications from individuals
• Individual research/study, gap year activities, study trips, fundraising expeditions, sponsorship
• Core running costs (preference for project-specific funding)
• Grants redistributed to individuals or other organizations

Environment-Specific Exclusions:

• National-scale projects
• Non-land-based projects
• Projects lacking community engagement
• Non-red list species preservation
• Projects without volunteer involvement

Young People-Specific Exclusions:

• Mainstream youth work
• Generic counseling
• Outward bound camps without structured 1:1 mentoring
• School uniforms

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Governance and Leadership

Johnny Fountain - Chairman

Over 20 years' charity sector experience spanning military service, fundraising, and medical research business development. Led two multi-million-pound capital campaigns and established the first national network of clinical trials centres for surgery in the UK.

Michael Butler - Honorary Treasurer

Chartered Accountant and trustee since 1994. Former audit partner at Moore Stephens with expertise in regulatory and governance advice to the insurance industry.

Carole Cook - Trustee (20+ years)

Solicitor and partner at Forsters LLP, specializing in private client work including tax, trust, estate planning, and philanthropic matters.

Amanda Smith - Trustee

Former employment law solicitor at Freshfields, now in business development for a major national law firm. Experienced in organizing fundraising events for cancer charities.

Henrietta Buxton - Trustee

Partner on family farm in Hertfordshire with focus on conservation and biodiversity. Founded Ash Valley Farming Cluster for landscape-scale environmental change. Ambassador for Hertfordshire Community Foundation.

Hugh Elrington - Trustee

35+ years in real estate industry. Managing Director of Barwood Capital, specializing in UK regional property investment and development. Has family connections to founding Linder Trustees.

Jack and Audrey Ladeveze - Honorary President and Vice-President

Jack served as Chairman from the Foundation's inception in 1974 until 2020 (stepping down at age 90). Chartered Accountant who chaired Linder family company Coubro and Scrutton Ltd. Both retired from trustee board in December 2023 but retain honorary titles.

Trustee Philosophy:

The trustees seek to “form relationships with the charities they support” and “to be an early stage funder for innovative and often untested projects, to provide maximum impact in marginalised communities or in areas and projects where other foundations are absent.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Environment and Young People categories:

1. Eligibility Checker: Submit online form at www.thelinderfoundation.org.uk
2. Expression of Interest (EOI): Successful Eligibility Checker submissions receive access to EOI form
3. Full Application: If EOI demonstrates alignment, invitation sent to submit full application
4. Due Diligence: Foundation conducts due diligence before trustee meetings

For Hospices, Medical Electives, and The Arts:

By invitation only. Arts organizations may contact the Foundation directly via email to demonstrate alignment with priorities.

Application Portal: Online through the Foundation's website

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: March, July, and October annually
• Decision Time: 3-4 months from initial Eligibility Checker submission (depending on meeting cycle)
• Processing: Allow time for due diligence process between EOI and trustee meeting
• Notification: Applicants contacted following trustee meetings

Success Rates

Approximately 30 grants awarded annually. Specific application numbers and success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, but the multi-stage application process (Eligibility Checker → EOI → Full Application) serves as a filtering mechanism.

Reapplication Policy

No explicit reapplication policy is published on the website. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the Foundation directly at admin@thelinderfoundation.org.uk to inquire about reapplication guidance.

Application Success Factors

Key Factors from Foundation Guidance:

1. Be a Major Stakeholder, Not Just a Funder: The Foundation explicitly states it wants to “fund projects where it can be a major stakeholder.” Ensure the grant request represents a significant portion (at least 50%) of project costs.

1. Demonstrate Innovation: Trustees prioritize “innovative and often untested projects.” Show how your approach is novel or fills a gap that mainstream funders miss.

1. Show Scaling Potential: Both environment and young people criteria emphasize “potential to be scaled up” or “replicated.” Articulate how learning from this project could benefit others.

1. Emphasize Community Engagement: For environment projects, volunteer and community involvement is essential. For young people projects, demonstrate connection to local communities.

1. Use Trauma-Informed Approaches: For young people projects, explicitly describe trauma-informed delivery models and involvement of crime-experienced mentors where relevant.

1. Focus on Measurable Outcomes: The Foundation looks for “intensive interventions delivered over time” with “measurable outcomes.” Include clear metrics and evaluation plans.

1. Demonstrate Long-lasting Impact: Projects should have impact beyond the funding period.

Recent Funded Project Examples:

• Hertfordshire Wildlife Trust (2021-24): Water vole reintroduction achieving 430% population increase over 3.5 years across 8km of River Ver habitat
• Crysalys Foundation Youth Court Solutions (2022-24): £23,730 for UK-first in-person and digital at-youth-court problem-solving model providing independent support at Wellingborough Magistrate's Court
• Youth on the Move (2021): Midweek residential with practical workshops and career guidance for disadvantaged London youth
• Hospice UK “Dying Behind Bars” Programme (2022-23): Multiple grants up to £15,000 each for improving palliative care access in prisons

Language and Terminology:

The Foundation uses specific terminology that applicants should mirror:

• “Vulnerable young people” (not “at-risk youth”)
• “Adverse Childhood Experiences” (ACEs) and “childhood trauma”
• “Biodiversity” and “species preservation/reintroduction”
• “Regenerative farming” and “sustainable farming practices”
• “Trauma-informed approaches”
• “Crime-experienced mentors”
• “Scaling up” and “replication”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. 50% Rule is Critical: Your grant request must cover at least 50% of total project costs. Structure budgets accordingly and consider whether other funding sources will complement the Linder grant.

1. Relationship Building Matters: Trustees explicitly want to “form relationships” with grantees. Consider this a partnership, not a transaction. Demonstrate willingness to engage beyond the grant period.

1. Fill the Gap Others Won't: Position your project as addressing needs “where other foundations are absent.” Highlight what makes this overlooked by mainstream funders.

1. Start with the Eligibility Checker: Don't waste time on a full application until you've passed the Eligibility Checker. This filters for alignment early.

1. Plan Around Meeting Dates: With only three decision points annually (March, July, October), time your submission strategically to align with project start dates.

1. Innovation Over Proven Models: Unlike many funders, Linder explicitly welcomes “untested projects.” Don't shy away from novel approaches—embrace them as an asset.

1. Reporting Matters for Future Funding: The Foundation states “any subsequent grant or instalment is dependent on a satisfactory and timely report.” Submit thorough reports promptly to build trust for potential multi-year support or future projects.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• THE JOHN HORSEMAN TRUST
• THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
• The Ardwick Trust
• The Big Give Trust
• Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
• Sustrans (Walk Wheel Cycle Trust)
• Ecological Restoration Fund
• Rosetrees Trust
• MOONDANCE FOUNDATION
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• Norfolk Community Foundation
• The Grace Trust
• John Ellerman Foundation
• BBC Children in Need
• The Dunhill Medical Trust (Vivensa Foundation)
• Bank of England
• HELP FUND
• Environment Agency
• THE RIVERS TRUST

References

1. The Linder Foundation official website. Various pages. Available at: https://www.thelinderfoundation.org.uk/
2. The Linder Foundation - About Us/Trustees page.. Available at: https://www.thelinderfoundation.org.uk/about-us/
3. The Linder Foundation - How to Apply page.. Available at: https://www.thelinderfoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/
4. The Linder Foundation - Young People Eligibility Criteria.. Available at: https://www.thelinderfoundation.org.uk/young-people-eligibility-criteria/
5. The Linder Foundation - Environment Eligibility Criteria.. Available at: https://www.thelinderfoundation.org.uk/the-environment-eligibility-criteria/
6. The Linder Foundation - Funded Projects page.. Available at: https://www.thelinderfoundation.org.uk/funded-projects/
7. Charity Commission for England and Wales. “THE LINDER FOUNDATION - 267509.”. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/267509
8. Find That Charity. “GB-CHC-267509 | The Linder Foundation.”. Available at: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-267509
9. Hospice UK. “Linder Foundation Hospice Grants 2023 - End of Life Care in Prisons.”. Available at: https://www.hospiceuk.org/linder-foundation-hospice-grants-2023-end-life-care-prisons
10. Northants Telegraph. “Youth Courts Solutions project based in Wellingborough looking to tackle trauma in youth offenders.”. Available at: https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/youth-courts-solutions-project-based-in-wellingborough-looking-to-tackle-trauma-in-youth-offenders-4498249
11. V&A Museum. "V&A Illustration Awards.". Available at: https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/va-illustration-awards
12. Devon Funding News. “Linder Foundation.”. Available at: https://www.devon.gov.uk/fundingnews/fund/linder-foundation/