The Michael Bishop Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??2,500,000 - ??3,000,000
• Total Given Since 1987: ??35,000,000+ to 100+ charities
• Decision Time: Twice yearly (March and September funding windows)
• Grant Range: Varies widely - from ??40,000 to ??1,000,000+ (multi-year commitments common)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom (and Australia through Glendonbrook Foundation)

Contact Details

Website: https://michaelbishopfoundation.org

Email: jo.furlong@btconnect.com

Phone: 01530 564388

Application: Via online application form on website

Charity Number: 297627

Overview

The Michael Bishop Foundation was established in 1987 by its founder Michael Bishop (now Lord Glendonbrook, CBE), who was knighted in 1991 and made a life peer in 2011. Since its founding, the Foundation has donated over ??35 million to more than 100 charities in the United Kingdom and Australia (through the Glendonbrook Foundation). The Foundation currently donates between ??2 to ??3 million annually to charitable causes selected by the Trustees principally in five focus areas. The Foundation's mission is “to assist such charitable institutions or charitable purposes as the trustees shall in their absolute discretion think fit.” The Foundation has recently expanded its board of trustees, appointing Joanne Furlong and Jonathan David Elliott in 2025, alongside long-standing trustees Lord Glendonbrook, Grahame Nicholas Elliott CBE FCA (appointed 1987), Martin Peter Ritchie (appointed 2013), and Timothy John Bye (appointed 2015). No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation makes grants through a twice-yearly application process with funding windows in March and September. Grants vary significantly in size and duration, with the Foundation showing willingness to make both substantial multi-year commitments and smaller annual grants.

Recent Grant Examples:

• Heritage Conservation: ??1,000,000 over four years (2022-2026) to English Heritage for conservation of Dover Castle, Hardwick Old Hall, Brodsworth Hall, and North Leigh Roman Villa
• Performing Arts: ??500,000 over three years (2022-2025) to support creation of new ballets and adaptation of classical works for touring
• LGBTQ+ Film: ??40,000 annual prize at the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival for new short film development
• Education: Multi-year funding to Somerville College, Oxford to assist promising students regardless of personal circumstances
• Theatre: ??50,000 per year for three years to Exeter Northcott Theatre

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on five main areas for grants, though applications are evaluated on their individual merits. Based on Charity Commission records and funded projects, the Foundation supports:

1. Arts, Culture, and Heritage - Including conservation of historic sites, performing arts, film, and cultural institutions
2. Education and Training - Supporting access to education, particularly for disadvantaged students
3. Health and Disability - Advancement of health or saving of lives, and support for people with disabilities
4. Amateur Sport - Grassroots and community sports initiatives
5. Human Rights and Equality - Including LGBTQ+ rights, religious or racial harmony, equality, and diversity

The Foundation has a particular policy focus on heritage projects where urgent and important restorations are required to safeguard buildings of significant historical interest.

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation maintains an extensive exclusions list and will not fund:

• Animal welfare
• Organisations that are not UK charities
• Activities outside the UK (except through Glendonbrook Foundation in Australia)
• General fundraising appeals
• Individuals
• Overseas travel
• One-off events or festivals
• Advancement of religion
• Sports and recreation (except amateur sport)
• Work which has already taken place
• NHS hospital trusts
• Campaigning or lobbying activities
• Endowments or contributions to other grant-making charities
• Websites, publications, or seminars
• Property or vehicle purchase
• Applications that have been turned down in the previous 12 months
• Applications that do not fall within their five main areas of focus
• Grants larger than an organisation's annual turnover
• New organisations without a track record of delivery or at least one year's published accounts

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Baron Glendonbrook of Bowdon CBE (Chair) - Founder, appointed 1987
• Grahame Nicholas Elliott CBE FCA - Appointed 1987
• Martin Peter Ritchie - Appointed 2013
• Timothy John Bye - Appointed 2015
• Joanne Furlong - Appointed 2025
• Jonathan David Elliott - Appointed 2025

The Foundation benefits from stable, experienced leadership with several trustees serving since its inception. Lord Glendonbrook's background in business (founder of BMI British Midland airline) brings commercial acumen to the Foundation's strategic approach to philanthropy.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Review Eligibility: Carefully read the eligibility criteria on the Foundation's website before applying
2. Check Funding Windows: Applications are considered in March and September
3. Submit Application: Complete the online application form available at michaelbishopfoundation.org
4. Required Information: Ensure your organisation has at least one year's published accounts and a demonstrable track record of delivery

Decision Timeline

The Foundation operates on a fixed bi-annual schedule with funding windows in March and September. Specific decision timelines and notification methods are not publicly disclosed, but applicants should expect decisions to be communicated following trustee meetings after each funding window.

Success Rates

Success rates and the number of applications received are not publicly disclosed by the Foundation.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation explicitly states it will not accept applications that have been turned down in the previous 12 months. Unsuccessful applicants must wait at least one year before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment is Critical

The Foundation's focus on five main areas means your project must clearly fit within one or more of these categories. Applications outside these areas will not be considered.

Multi-Year Funding Strategy

Many of the Foundation's recent high-profile grants have been multi-year commitments rather than one-off grants. When applying, consider requesting funding over 2-4 years if your project warrants it. Examples include:

• ??1m over four years for English Heritage
• ??500,000 over three years for ballet creation
• ??50,000 per year for three years for theatre

This suggests the Foundation values sustainable impact and is willing to commit to longer-term partnerships with organisations that demonstrate strong delivery capacity.

Heritage Projects Need Urgency

The Foundation explicitly states its policy is to support heritage projects “where urgent and important restorations are required.” If applying for heritage funding, emphasize:

• The urgency of the need
• The historical significance of the site/project
• What will be lost without intervention
• How the project will safeguard the heritage for future generations

Scale and Significance Matter

Recent grants suggest the Foundation is particularly interested in projects of significant scale and national importance. The ??1m English Heritage grant supported conservation at four nationally significant historic sites. Consider how your project contributes to the broader cultural, educational, or social landscape of the UK.

Demonstrate Financial Stability

The Foundation will not fund grants larger than your organisation's annual turnover, and requires at least one year's published accounts. This suggests they are looking for financially stable organisations with proven operational capacity.

Track Record is Essential

New organisations without a demonstrated track record of delivery will not be considered. Ensure your application clearly demonstrates:

• Past successful project delivery
• Organisational sustainability
• Proven impact in your field

Diversity and Inclusion

The Foundation's support for LGBTQ+ initiatives (Iris Prize) and human rights/equality work suggests strong alignment with organisations promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion. Highlight how your project advances these values if relevant.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing is Everything: Plan well in advance of March or September funding windows; the 12-month reapplication restriction means you can't afford to miss these opportunities with a poor application
• Think Multi-Year: Don't be afraid to request substantial multi-year funding if your project justifies it - the Foundation has demonstrated willingness to make significant long-term commitments
• Heritage Needs Urgency: For heritage applications, emphasize the urgent need for intervention and the historical significance of what you're trying to save
• Alignment is Non-Negotiable: Your project must clearly fit within one of the five main focus areas; if it doesn't, don't apply
• Track Record Matters More Than Potential: The Foundation wants to see proven delivery and at least one year of published accounts - new organisations should wait until they meet these criteria
• Scale and Significance Win: Recent grants suggest preference for projects with national significance and substantial impact rather than small local initiatives
• Financial Prudence is Expected: Don't request more than your annual turnover, and ensure your application demonstrates sound financial planning and organisational sustainability

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• THE HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND
• Broome Family Charitable Trust
• Stelios Philanthropic Foundation
• The Swire Charitable Trust
• The Wimbledon Foundation
• THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• Swarovski Foundation
• The Constance Travis Charitable Trust
• The Band Aid Charitable Trust
• THE BOOTH CHARITIES
• THE FORRESTER FAMILY TRUST
• The Powell Family Foundation
• MOONDANCE FOUNDATION
• RSM UK Foundation
• PILKINGTON CHARITIES FUND
• THE HUGH SYMONS CHARITABLE TRUST
• BBC Children in Need
• British Airways
• THE BEAVERBROOKS CHARITABLE TRUST
• BRINGING HOPE

References

1. Michael Bishop Foundation Official Website - https://michaelbishopfoundation.org
2. Michael Bishop Foundation About Us - https://michaelbishopfoundation.org/about-us/
3. Michael Bishop Foundation Eligibility Criteria - https://michaelbishopfoundation.org/eligibility/
4. The Charity Commission - THE MICHAEL BISHOP FOUNDATION (297627) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=297627
5. English Heritage - “English Heritage receives ??1m donation” - https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/search-news/english-heritage-receives-1m-donation/
6. Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival - https://irisprize.org/
7. Giving is Great - THE MICHAEL BISHOP FOUNDATION Charity Factsheet - https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=297627
8. Exeter Northcott Theatre - “Exeter Northcott Theatre secures new funding” - https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/news/exeter-northcott-theatre-secures-new-funding/
9. Wikipedia - Michael Bishop, Baron Glendonbrook - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bishop,_Baron_Glendonbrook