The Maurice Hatter Foundation

Charity Number: 1187823

Annual Expenditure: £1.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,249,762 (2022)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified (rolling basis)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £155,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK, Israel, and South Africa
  • Total Assets: £6,250,771 (as of March 2024)

Contact Details

Address: c/o Smith and Williamson, 1 Bishops Wharf, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4RA

Telephone: 01483 407100

Email: ADMIN@MH-FOUNDATION.ORG

Note: The Foundation does not maintain a website. Further information is available on the Charity Commission website.

Overview

The Maurice Hatter Foundation was established in honour of Sir Maurice Hatter (1929-2020), a prominent electronics tycoon and philanthropist who built his business from the 1950s before dedicating millions to charitable causes. Originally registered as charity number 298119 in 1987, the Foundation was re-registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with charity number 1187823 on 7 February 2020, receiving the assets and activities of the original trust. The Foundation received a significant legacy of £25.5m from Sir Maurice Hatter's Estate, which has strengthened its endowment. The charity seeks to distribute income arising from invested funds to various charitable causes at the absolute discretion of the Trustees. With total assets of over £6.2 million and annual grant-making of approximately £1.25 million, the Foundation continues to provide particular support to projects related to education and social welfare, reflecting Sir Maurice Hatter's lifelong commitment to Jewish education through World ORT and community development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single grant programme with no specific funding tiers or named streams. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, with grants awarded at the discretion of the Trustees.

  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £155,000
  • Application Method: Written applications by post (rolling basis)
  • No formal application deadlines

Priority Areas

The Maurice Hatter Foundation offers grants to charitable organisations operating in the UK, Israel, or South Africa for projects in the following fields:

  • Education (primary focus area)
  • Social welfare (primary focus area)
  • Medical research
  • Religion
  • International policy research
  • Culture and the environment

The Foundation's grant-making pattern suggests a preference for more prestigious causes as well as Jewish causes, reflecting Sir Maurice Hatter's legacy of support for Jewish education networks, particularly World ORT.

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not explicitly list exclusions in publicly available information. However, applications must align with the six priority areas listed above and operate in the UK, Israel, or South Africa.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees:

  • Richard Mark Hatter - Trustee (appointed 07 February 2020)
  • Edward Tim Hatter - Trustee (appointed 06 March 2025)
  • Piers David Barclay - Trustee (appointed 07 February 2020)
  • Fausto Umberto Furlotti - Trustee (appointed 07 February 2020)

The Foundation appears to be family-led, with trustees having absolute discretion regarding when to pay or apply funds for charitable purposes.

Legacy

The Foundation honours Sir Maurice Hatter, who was described by World ORT as their 'moral compass' during his four years as president from 2004. Lady Irene Hatter stated they were “completely dedicated to the work of ORT,” with particular pride in schools they supported in the former Soviet Union, including in Samara, Russia; Kiev, Ukraine; Minsk, Belarus; and Warsaw, Poland.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted in writing by post to:

The Maurice Hatter Foundation

c/o Smith and Williamson

1 Bishops Wharf

Walnut Tree Close

Guildford

Surrey GU1 4RA

Applicants may apply at any time. The Foundation does not maintain a website or accept email applications.

Decision Timeline

The Foundation operates on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. As the Trustees meet periodically to review applications and have absolute discretion over grant-making decisions, applicants should expect to wait for trustee meetings to convene.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

There is no published information regarding reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's history and priorities, the following factors may strengthen applications:

  • Alignment with education and social welfare: These are the Foundation's primary focus areas and should be central to any application.
  • Connection to Jewish causes: The Foundation's grant-making pattern suggests a preference for Jewish causes, reflecting Sir Maurice Hatter's legacy of supporting Jewish education and community development.
  • Geographic focus: Projects must operate in the UK, Israel, or South Africa. Organisations with activities in these regions are eligible.
  • Prestige and impact: The Foundation's grant-making pattern suggests a preference for more prestigious organisations with demonstrated impact.
  • Educational initiatives: Given Sir Maurice Hatter's dedication to World ORT and Jewish education networks, educational projects—particularly those supporting underserved communities or innovative educational models—may resonate with trustees.
  • Medical research and healthcare: Sir Maurice Hatter supported the establishment of the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute at University College Hospital, suggesting interest in medical research with tangible community impact.
  • Clear written applications: Since applications are made by post without formal guidelines, clarity, professionalism, and compelling narrative are essential.
  • Detailed list of grant beneficiaries: According to publicly available information, a list of awards can be found on pages 14-15 of the Foundation's annual accounts, which may provide insight into recently funded organisations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Wide grant range with trustee discretion: Grants range from £1,000 to £155,000, with no minimum or maximum specified, allowing for flexible requests based on project needs.
  • Rolling applications welcomed: The absence of deadlines means organisations can apply when ready, though decision times depend on trustee meeting schedules.
  • Strong preference for education and social welfare: These two areas receive “particular support” and should be emphasised in applications.
  • Geographic specificity matters: Only organisations operating in the UK, Israel, or South Africa are eligible—ensure geographic alignment is clear.
  • Jewish causes are prioritised: The Foundation's history and grant-making pattern suggest that Jewish organisations and causes aligned with Sir Maurice Hatter's legacy may be viewed favourably.
  • Traditional application process: With no website or online portal, prepare professional written applications by post, ensuring all relevant information is included upfront.
  • Research past beneficiaries: Review the Foundation's annual accounts (pages 14-15) on the Charity Commission website to understand the types of organisations previously funded.

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