The Martin Smith Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £221,157 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not specified (rolling applications)
• Grant Range: Up to £2,500 for students; larger grants available for organizations
• Geographic Focus: Primarily England and Wales, with capacity for UK-wide and international grants

Contact Details

Address: 5 Park Town, Oxford, OX2 6SN

Phone: 01865 554323

Email: info@5parktown.com

Website: None

Administrator: Geraldine Conneely

Day-to-day Management: Sir Martin Smith and Geraldine Conneely

Overview

The Martin Smith Foundation was established in February 2013 (charity number 1150753) and received transferred funds from The Martin Smith Charitable Trust (charity 1072607) in April 2014. Founded by Sir Martin Smith, a prominent investment banker and philanthropist, the Foundation has grown significantly, with 2024 assets of £1.45 million and charitable expenditure of £221,157. The Foundation operates with broad charitable objectives enabling grant-making “in any part of the world,” though the vast majority of grants support registered charities in England and Wales. Sir Martin Smith's extensive background in arts philanthropy—including founding the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in 1986 and establishing the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University in 2008—shapes the Foundation's commitment to performing arts, education, and environmental causes. In 2021, the Foundation awarded grants totaling £200,816, demonstrating consistent annual giving.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Student Grants

• Amount: Up to £2,500
• Eligibility: Undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Purpose: Course fees, equipment, and books
• Fields: Ecology, environment, natural resources, music, or performing arts
• Application: Rolling basis, written applications

Organizational Grants

• Amount: Small and larger grants (specific amounts not publicly disclosed)
• Eligibility: UK registered charities
• Geographic Scope: UK or any part of the world (primarily England and Wales)
• Application: Rolling basis, written applications

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on six core areas:

1. Performing Arts: Reflecting Sir Martin Smith's deep commitment to arts organizations, including his founding role with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and involvement with English National Opera, Royal Academy of Music, and Glyndebourne Arts Trust

1. Education: Supporting educational initiatives and student development

1. Ecology and Environment: Aligned with the Smith family's establishment of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University

1. Recreational Sport: Supporting sports-based charitable activities

1. Relief of Poverty: General poverty alleviation work

1. Religion: Religious charitable purposes

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the Foundation's charitable objects focus on the six priority areas listed above.

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Sir Martin Gregory Smith

Trustees: 6 trustees (none receive remuneration)

Sir Martin Smith Background:

Sir Martin Smith is an English investment banker and philanthropist educated at St Edmund Hall, Oxford (theoretical physics, 1964) and Stanford Business School (MBA and Master's in Economics, 1971). His 40-year career in financial services included senior positions at major US commercial banks, founding Phoenix Securities, serving as Chairman of European Investment Banking for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, co-founding New Star Asset Management, and currently serving as Chairman of GP Bullhound LLP, a technology investment bank.

Philanthropic Leadership:

• Founder and Life President, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (founded 1986)
• Founder (with family), Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, Oxford University (2008)
• Former Chair, English National Opera
• Trustee, ClientEarth (since 2016)
• Governor, Ditchley Foundation
• Former board member: Royal Academy of Music, Glyndebourne Arts Trust, Ashmolean Museum, Science Museum
• Trustee: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Trust, Ashmolean Museum Endowment Trust

Sir Martin Smith's extensive involvement in arts and environmental organizations demonstrates his commitment to the Foundation's priority areas. His family's belief that “any comprehensive plan designed to address the problems of environmental change must focus heavily on the interaction between public and private enterprise and the environment” suggests a strategic, enterprise-focused approach to philanthropy.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications for grant support may be made at any time in writing to:

The Martin Smith Foundation

5 Park Town

Oxford, OX2 6SN

Or via email: info@5parktown.com

The Foundation does not have a website or online application portal. Written applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. No specific application deadlines or forms are advertised.

Contact: Enquiries can be directed to Geraldine Conneely (Administrator) at the above address or phone number (01865 554323).

Decision Timeline

The Foundation does not publish specific decision timelines. As applications are accepted on a rolling basis, applicants should expect decision times to vary depending on trustee meeting schedules and application volume.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation awarded approximately £200,816 in grants during 2021, but the number of applications received is not published.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Given the rolling application process, unsuccessful applicants should contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public guidance on application success factors, applicants should consider the following strategic approaches:

Alignment with Founder's Interests: Sir Martin Smith's personal involvement with specific types of organizations provides insight into Foundation priorities:

• Arts organizations, particularly those focused on classical music and opera
• Environmental initiatives that integrate enterprise and sustainability (reflecting the Smith School model)
• Education programs, especially in performing arts, ecology, or environment

Geographic Considerations: While the Foundation has capacity to fund internationally, the vast majority of grants are awarded to charities providing services in England and Wales.

Student Applications: For individual student grants, applicants should clearly demonstrate enrollment in eligible fields (ecology, environment, natural resources, music, or performing arts) and provide detailed justification for how funding will support course fees, equipment, or books up to the £2,500 maximum.

Written Application Quality: As the only application method is written correspondence, applications should be:

• Clear and concise
• Directly aligned with one or more of the six priority areas
• Specific about funding needs and intended impact
• Professional in presentation

Scale Appropriate: The Foundation offers both “small and larger grants” for organizations, suggesting flexibility in grant size. Organizations should request amounts appropriate to their needs and the Foundation's giving capacity (with annual charitable expenditure around £220,000).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Rolling applications: No deadline pressure; applications accepted year-round in writing or via email
• Founder-driven priorities: Sir Martin Smith's personal involvement in performing arts (especially classical music) and environmental enterprise strongly influences funding decisions
• No website or online portal: Traditional, relationship-based approach requiring written applications
• Dual grant streams: Separate programs for individual students (up to £2,500) and organizations (variable amounts)
• Geographic focus: Despite international capacity, strong preference for England and Wales charities
• Limited public information: Minimal published guidance suggests personal approach and direct contact with administrator recommended
• Growth trajectory: Significant income increase (£580,015 in 2023 vs. £40,352 in 2022) suggests expanding capacity, though annual giving remains stable around £200,000-£220,000

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE KENNETH & SUSAN GREEN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The Graham Kirkham Foundation
• The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation
• The Patrick Rowland Foundation
• The Behrens Foundation
• The Material World Foundation Limited
• THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION
• The Lockwood Charitable Foundation
• The Greenslade Family Foundation
• The Victoria Wood Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities, “The Martin Smith Foundation - 1150753,”. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5034490/full-print

• Companies House, “The Martin Smith Foundation - 08336723,”. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08336723

• Bath and North East Somerset Council, “The Martin Smith Foundation,”. https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/88137

• Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, “Sir Martin Smith,”. https://oae.co.uk/people/sir-martin-smith/

• University of Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, “The Founders,”. https://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/page/founders

• Ditchley Foundation, “Sir Martin Smith,”. https://www.ditchley.com/sir-martin-smith

• GP Bullhound, “Sir Martin Smith,”. https://www.gpbullhound.com/team/sir-martin-smith

• St Edmund Hall Oxford, “Martin Smith - St Edmund Fellow,”. https://www.seh.ox.ac.uk/people/martin-smith