The Lord Leonard And Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation

Charity Number: 1148663

Annual Expenditure: £1.1M
Geographic Focus: Ireland, Israel, United States, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Throughout England And Wales

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,120,650 (2025)
  • Total Grants to Date: £14,435,778 (£10,119,804 for medical research; £4,315,974 for wellbeing)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: £30,000 - £90,000 (based on known examples)
  • Geographic Focus: UK only

Contact Details

Website: www.lordandladywolfson.org.uk

Email: admin@lordandladywolfson.org.uk

Phone: 020 7636 6446

Address: 74 Portland Place, London, W1B 1NR

Overview

The Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation was established in 2012 by Lady Estelle Wolfson with a legacy from her late husband, Lord Leonard Wolfson. The Foundation's mission is to advance research and education for the public benefit in preventative medicine and surgery. With total grants of over £14.4 million to date, the Foundation supports cutting-edge research in UK universities and innovative programmes demonstrating the important role that art, music, and architecture can play in preventing and mitigating illness. The Foundation's philosophy is captured in its motto: “A healthy lifestyle can not only add years to your life but also life to your years.” Lady Wolfson was awarded an OBE in the 2025 New Year Honours “for Services to Medical Research and to the Arts.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Preventative Medicine Research

The Foundation supports research in UK universities that strengthens the evidence base for wellbeing research in health. Examples include lectureships in wellbeing within schools of public health. Grant amounts and application method vary by program.

Cultural Healthcare Programmes

Supports programmes that demonstrate links between culture (art, music, architecture) and health, particularly focusing on accessibility and special educational needs. Typical grants: £30,000 - £90,000 over 2-3 years.

Leadership Development

  • The Lady Estelle Wolfson Emerging Leaders Fellowship: Two-year programme supporting women in surgical leadership at the Royal College of Surgeons of England

Royal Society Translation Awards: Up to £50,000 for scientists investigating the commercial potential of their research

Priority Areas

  • Preventative medicine and surgery research in UK universities
  • Wellbeing research strengthening the evidence base for health interventions
  • Arts, music, and architecture programmes that prevent or mitigate illness
  • Accessibility programmes at cultural institutions for neurodivergent audiences, learning disabled individuals, and those with mental health conditions
  • Women's leadership in healthcare and surgery
  • Translation of medical research into practical applications

What They Don't Fund

  • Non-UK institutions or research
  • Treatment-focused (rather than prevention-focused) initiatives
  • General operating costs without clear preventative health outcomes
  • Individual medical treatments or patient support
  • Applications from organisations outside universities or major cultural institutions for research grants
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Lady Estelle Wolfson of Marylebone OBE (Chairman)

Prominent philanthropist and Fellow of multiple prestigious institutions. Patron of the Royal College of Surgeons and Member of Cancer Research UK. Established the Foundation with a legacy from her late husband. Awarded OBE in 2025 for Services to Medical Research and to the Arts.

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore

Honorary consultant physician at Royal Liverpool University Hospital and past president of Royal College of Physicians. Specialist in liver disease and alcohol-related health issues. Chairs Liverpool Health Partners.

Professor Roger Kirby MA MD FRCS (Urol)

Past President of Royal Society of Medicine. Pioneered prostate cancer treatments and founded The Prostate Centre. Founder and Chairman of Prostate UK/Prostate Action and President of The Urology Foundation.

Ian Burman

Head of National Private Client and Not for Profit Team at Laytons. Co-author of Tolley's Administration of Estates. Trustee of multiple charities focusing on medical research and environmental issues.

Antoinette Jackson

Daughter of Lady Wolfson with 25+ years experience at Sotheby's auction house. Worked on medical research and wellbeing projects.

Edward Jackson

Works at Pictet Group in UK Real Estate Investments with previous experience in investment banking and law. Mentor for Fairfield Enterprise charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a periodic basis. As of the most recent information, applications for 2025/2026 were closed. When open, the Foundation provides guidance documents:

  • “Charity Grant Application Information” (PDF)
  • “Supporting Wellbeing in Healthcare Research in UK Universities” (PDF)

Applications should be reviewed carefully for alignment with the Foundation's focus on preventative medicine and wellbeing before submission.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Applicants should contact the Foundation directly for information about current application windows and expected decision timeframes.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed by the Foundation.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the Foundation directly to inquire about reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

Recent Funded Projects

British Museum Access and Education Programme: £90,000 over three years (2017-2020) supporting workshops and activities for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. Currently in third phase (2022-2025).

Royal Opera House Monday Moves: Supporting ballet classes for blind and visually impaired adults since 2013 (25+ years of partnership with ROH).

University of Liverpool: Lectureship in Wellbeing within the School of Public Health.

V&A Cast Courts: Access improvements during Phase Two restoration project.

Royal College of Surgeons: Multi-year support for The Lady Estelle Wolfson Emerging Leaders Fellowship.

National Gallery: SEND programme and Adult Access Programme.

Science Museum Group: “Early Birds and Night Owls” program for neurodivergent visitors.

Natural History Museum: “Dawnosaurs” events for neurodivergent children.

Nordoff & Robbins: Music therapy programmes.

Mencap: Housing project creating homes for individuals with learning disabilities.

Key Success Factors

  • Prevention over treatment: The Foundation explicitly prioritises preventing disease and illness rather than treating them. Applications should emphasise preventative approaches.
  • Evidence-based approach: Focus on projects that “strengthen the evidence base” for wellbeing research in health. Include research methodology and measurable outcomes.
  • Cultural-health connections: Strong interest in demonstrating how art, music, and architecture can prevent or mitigate illness and create innovative healthcare delivery mechanisms.
  • Accessibility and inclusion: Track record of supporting programmes for neurodivergent individuals, those with learning disabilities, visual impairments, and mental health conditions.
  • UK universities: For research grants, the Foundation specifically targets UK universities.
  • Long-term partnerships: The Foundation maintains multi-year relationships with supported organisations (e.g., 25+ years with Royal Opera House, continuous support to British Museum since 2014).
  • Strategic thinking: Projects should demonstrate how preventing disease represents “the most effective use of scarce financial and human healthcare resources.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Emphasise prevention: Frame all proposals around preventing illness rather than treating it. The Foundation is explicit that preventative healthcare is “the future of healthcare.”
  • Connect culture and health: If your project involves arts or cultural programmes, clearly articulate the preventative health benefits and wellbeing outcomes.
  • Target the right sector: Research grants are specifically for UK universities; accessibility grants are for major cultural institutions.
  • Think long-term: The Foundation favours multi-year partnerships. Demonstrate sustainability and long-term impact.
  • Be specific about accessibility: If working with SEND audiences, detail exactly which groups benefit (autistic, learning disabled, visually impaired, mental health conditions).
  • Use the Foundation's language: Incorporate terms like “wellbeing research,” “evidence base,” “preventative medicine,” and “innovative healthcare delivery mechanisms.”
  • Check application windows: Applications are not rolling. Monitor the website for when application windows open, as they operate on a periodic basis.
  • Consider scale: Known grants range from £30,000-£90,000 over 2-3 years. Ensure your budget request aligns with the Foundation's giving patterns.

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References