The Morrisons Foundation

Charity Number: 1160224

Annual Expenditure: £2.0M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Website: www.morrisonsfoundation.com

Phone: 0845 611 4449

Email: foundation.enquiries@morrisonsfundation.com

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2 million+
  • Success Rate: 10% (approximately 1 in 10 qualifying applications)
  • Decision Time: Up to 12 weeks
  • Grant Range: Up to £10,000 (some grants up to £25,000 for full project funding)
  • Geographic Focus: England, Scotland, and Wales
  • Total Given Since 2015: £44 million+ to over 3,100 charities

Contact Details

Website: www.morrisonsfoundation.com

Email: foundation.enquiries@morrisonsfundation.com

Phone: 0845 611 4449

Overview

The Morrisons Foundation was established in 2015 to provide financial support for registered charities across England, Scotland, and Wales. The Foundation has donated over £44 million to more than 3,100 charities since its inception, with annual giving exceeding £2 million. The Foundation awards grants for charity projects that improve people's lives and also match funds money raised by Morrisons colleagues for their chosen charities. The Foundation prioritizes supporting small charities (those with income under £1 million) delivering projects in communities served by Morrisons stores, with special consideration for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. The Foundation is registered as Charity Number 1160224.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: Up to £10,000 (rolling basis, online application)

  • For capital spend or direct project delivery only
  • The Foundation only funds projects fully, so project costs cannot exceed £10,000 (or £25,000 in exceptional cases)
  • Applications accepted on a continual basis with no deadlines

Match Funding Programme: For Morrisons colleagues raising money for charity

  • Separate application process with faster decision timeline (typically 6 weeks)

Special Anniversary Fund: Occasional special initiatives (e.g., 125th Anniversary Community Spaces Fund awarded up to £8,000 to 125 charities)

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds projects meeting at least one of three objectives:

  1. Tackling poverty and social deprivation - Supporting vulnerable populations, homeless support, food poverty initiatives
  2. Enhancing community spaces, facilities and services - Improving community buildings, creating accessible spaces, developing facilities
  3. Improving health and wellbeing - Health equipment, mental health support, services for vulnerable individuals

Priority Given To:

  • Small charities with income under £1 million
  • Projects in communities where Morrisons operates
  • Projects creating lasting legacy or impact
  • Projects with larger numbers of beneficiaries
  • Vulnerable and disadvantaged groups

What They Don't Fund

Organizational Types:

  • CICs and organizations not registered with Charity Commission/OSCR
  • Animal welfare charities (unless objective is to improve lives of vulnerable/disadvantaged people)
  • Sports-based charities (unless objective is to improve lives of vulnerable/disadvantaged people)
  • Organizations promoting religious or political messages

Costs and Activities:

  • Salaries or running costs/ongoing service delivery
  • Events, sponsorship, or marketing
  • Fundraising events, advertising, or promotion
  • Grants or bursaries to individuals
  • Expeditions, recreation, or overseas travel
  • Work primarily the responsibility of public agencies
  • Equipment retained by individuals rather than the charity
  • Charities with late-filed accounts or qualified accounts

Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees

David Scott (appointed 2023) - Director of Corporate Affairs at Morrisons, joined the company in 2010 after almost a decade in policy roles at the House of Commons and National Assembly for Wales. His remit includes responsibility for government affairs, community relations, and charitable activity.

Quote from David Scott: "I'm delighted that the Morrisons Foundation has been able to help fund Crisis' vital work. Together we will be able to provide much-needed support to people who are more exposed in our society during the coronavirus pandemic as well as help secure permanent housing for those who need it most."

Foundation Staff

  • Joseph Clark-Brand - Morrisons Foundation Specialist
  • Adrian Horsley - Morrisons Foundation Adviser

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application Form:

  • Complete application via online form on Foundation website
  • Form cannot be saved once started, so prepare all information in advance
  • Download PDF list of application questions beforehand to prepare responses
  • Read Grant Funding Policy in full before applying

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Registered charity with Charity Commission or OSCR
  • Registered for at least one year
  • Income under £1 million (prioritized, though larger charities can apply)
  • Project cost £10,000 or less (up to £25,000 in exceptional cases)
  • Project meets at least one of three funding objectives
  • Located in England, Scotland, or Wales

Decision Timeline

  • Applications assessed on rolling basis
  • Decisions made within 12 weeks (3 months) of completed application
  • Match funding requests processed within 6 weeks
  • Notification via email

Success Rates

The Foundation receives a high volume of applications and can only fund approximately 1 in 10 applications that meet their criteria (10% success rate). This represents competitive funding even among eligible charities.

Reapplication Policy

  • Unsuccessful applicants: Cannot reapply for the same project within 12 months
  • One application per charity at any time
  • Previous grant recipients: Can apply for further funding anytime after completing and submitting post-grant report
  • Subsequent applications from previous recipients treated as new applications

Application Success Factors

What Trustees Look For

Based on Foundation guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

  1. Clear alignment with one or more funding objectives - Explicitly state which objective(s) your project addresses
  2. Lasting legacy and impact - Projects creating sustainable, long-term benefits to communities
  3. Larger number of beneficiaries - Demonstrate reach and scale of impact
  4. Focus on vulnerable/disadvantaged groups - Special consideration given to projects supporting those most in need
  5. Community connection - Projects in areas where Morrisons operates stores
  6. Full project funding - The Foundation only funds complete projects, not partial funding

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

  • The Ickle Pickle Partnership: £25,000 for specialized incubator at King's Neonatal Unit
  • Trust Links: £10,000 to develop classroom at community orchard in Southend supporting people with mental health conditions
  • Wales Council for Deaf People: £18,793 for lip reading training sessions across Wales
  • Small Acts of Kindness: £22,400 for winter warmer gift bags to vulnerable older people
  • Contact: Grant to redevelop ground floor space to empower young people

Application Tips

  • Read the Grant Funding Policy thoroughly - The Foundation emphasizes this as essential before applying
  • Prepare all information before starting - Online form cannot be saved mid-completion
  • Be specific about capital spend - Running costs and salaries are not funded
  • Demonstrate lasting impact - Show how the project creates sustainable change
  • Quantify beneficiaries - Provide clear numbers of people who will benefit
  • Connect to Morrisons communities - Projects in areas with Morrisons stores are prioritized
  • Small charity advantage - Organizations under £1m income are prioritized
  • One application only - Cannot submit multiple applications simultaneously

Common Reasons for Rejection

Based on exclusions and criteria:

  • Requesting funding for running costs or salaries
  • Project costs exceed maximum grant amount
  • Organization is not a registered charity
  • Project doesn't clearly align with one of three funding objectives
  • Seeking partial funding (Foundation only fully funds projects)
  • Previous rejection for same project within 12 months
  • Charity has late-filed or qualified accounts

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Highly competitive but accessible - 10% success rate means quality applications are essential; however, rolling deadlines and straightforward process make it accessible for small charities
  1. Small charity focus is real - Organizations under £1 million income are explicitly prioritized, making this an excellent opportunity for smaller organizations that meet the criteria
  1. Full project funding only - Do not apply for partial funding; ensure your entire project cost is within the £10,000 limit (or £25,000 for exceptional projects)
  1. Capital spend, not running costs - Frame your application around tangible equipment, facilities, or direct project delivery, never salaries or operational expenses
  1. Geographic connection matters - Projects in communities with Morrisons stores receive priority; research local Morrisons presence when planning applications
  1. Prepare thoroughly before starting - Since the online form cannot be saved, download the question list, prepare all responses, and complete the form in one sitting
  1. Long-term impact is valued - Emphasize lasting legacy and sustainable outcomes rather than short-term or one-off activities
  1. Reapplication strategy - If unsuccessful, wait 12 months before reapplying for the same project, or consider developing a different project that may better align with priorities

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

References