The Octopus Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £300,000 (through partnership grants)
• Success Rate: Not disclosed (invitation-based selection)
• Decision Time: 2-3 months (application to decision)
• Grant Range: £45,000 per year (3-year partnerships)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide
• Total Donated Since 2014: £2.6 million

Contact Details

Website: https://octopusgroup.com/octopus-giving/

Email: GIVING@OCTOPUSGROUP.COM

Phone: 020 7710 6489

Charity Number: 1161273

For partnership updates, follow Octopus Group on LinkedIn.

Overview

The Octopus Foundation (operating as “Octopus Giving”) was established in 2014 as the charitable arm of Octopus Group, a B Corporation-certified financial services company. With total income of £288,412 (2023-24), the foundation has donated £2.6 million since inception. The foundation operates a unique partnership model, selecting just two charities every three years through an employee-led democratic voting process. Each partner receives £45,000 in unrestricted funding annually, plus substantial volunteer support (12,000+ hours annually), matched employee fundraising, and access to expertise across IT, marketing, finance, and HR. Current partners (2024-2027) are Refettorio Felix (supporting overlooked communities) and Fields in Trust (environmental focus). The foundation emphasizes long-term, transformational partnerships over one-off grants, with 800 registered volunteers supporting partner charities beyond the financial commitment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Three-Year Partnership Program: £45,000 per year (£135,000 total per charity)

• Two charities selected every three years through open application and employee voting
• Unrestricted grants allowing maximum flexibility
• Next application cycle opens in 2027
• Rolling applications not accepted outside the triennial cycle

Employee Volunteering Scheme: £20 donation per volunteer hour

• Available to any UK registered charity
• Triggered when Octopus employees volunteer their time
• Employees can also fundraise with employer matching

Priority Areas

The foundation alternates focus areas each cycle. Recent themes include:

Environmental Sustainability

• Climate emergency solutions
• Reducing waste, saving energy, decreasing emissions
• Protecting and improving green spaces
• Community environmental projects

Overlooked Communities

• Support for homeless, elderly, and socially isolated individuals
• Addressing food insecurity
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Providing wraparound services beyond immediate needs

Previous Priority Areas (for reference):

• Health and wellbeing (physical and mental health)
• Youth development and education
• Community cohesion

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation:

• Does not accept applications outside their triennial partnership cycle
• Focuses exclusively on UK registered charities
• Does not fund charities outside their announced thematic priorities for each cycle
• Previous cycles required charities to have annual income between £500,000 and £1.5 million

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: 4 trustees (no trustee remuneration)

Employees: No paid employees earning over £60,000

Volunteers: 800 registered volunteers

The foundation is governed by trustees from Octopus Group. The parent company was co-founded by Simon Rogerson (Group CEO) and Chris Hulatt, who have both demonstrated commitment to charitable giving. Octopus Group is a Certified B Corporation with an overall score of 122.7, reflecting their commitment to social and environmental performance.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: Applications are NOT currently open. The next partnership cycle will open in 2027 for the 2027-2030 period.

When Applications Open (typically every 3 years):

• UK registered charity
• Annual income between £500,000 and £1.5 million
• Core mission aligned with announced priority themes
• Ability to offer individual and team volunteering opportunities
• Geographic accessibility to Octopus employees

• Stage 1: Open application (typically 4-6 weeks)
• Stage 2: Shortlisting by Octopus Giving team (1 week)
• Stage 3: Shortlisted charities pitch directly to 250+ Octopus employees (June/July)
• Stage 4: Democratic employee vote determines final two partners
• Decision announced approximately 2-3 months after application deadline

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation operates exclusively through their triennial partnership cycle with no ongoing grant-making between cycles. However, Octopus employees can still support organizations through:

Individual Employee Volunteering: Octopus donates £20 to any UK registered charity for every hour an employee volunteers. Organizations can encourage Octopus employees to volunteer with them individually, triggering these donations without being an official partner.

Employee Fundraising Matching: Octopus matches funds raised by employees for charities of their choice.

Monitoring for 2027 Application Cycle:

• Follow Octopus Group on LinkedIn for announcements
• Check the Octopus Giving website regularly
• Build awareness among potential employee volunteers who may vote in future selection rounds

Decision Timeline

• Application Period: Typically 4-6 weeks (e.g., May deadline)
• Shortlist Notification: 1 week after deadline
• Pitch Presentations: 2-4 weeks after shortlisting
• Final Decision: Announced within 2-3 months of application deadline
• Partnership Start: Partnerships typically begin shortly after announcement

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However:

• The 2021 cycle resulted in “a small handful” of charities being shortlisted from all applications
• Only 2 charities are selected from potentially hundreds of applications
• The democratic voting process by 250 Octopus employees determines final selection

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated, but:

• Previous partners remain connected through ongoing employee volunteering
• No indication that previous partners are excluded from future applications
• Past partners include: The Choir With No Name, FoodCycle, MyBnk, Downright Excellent, Greatwood Charity, GoodGym, and Thames21

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of successful partnerships and the selection process:

Employee Appeal is Critical: Since 250 Octopus employees vote on the final selection, applications must resonate with a broad employee base. Successful partners like Fields in Trust had employees commenting “I believe in the importance of green spaces and parks” and “green spaces are unsung heroes.”

Volunteering Opportunities Matter: Octopus specifically requires “ability to offer individual and team volunteering opportunities.” Thames21 engaged 672 volunteers for 3,356 hours in just two years. GoodGym facilitated 1,770 volunteer hours across London. Applications should clearly articulate diverse, meaningful volunteer roles.

Demonstrate Organizational Readiness: Previous application criteria specified charities with £500,000-£1.5 million annual income, suggesting they want organizations stable enough to absorb support but small enough that £45,000/year makes significant impact. Successful applicants can demonstrate capacity to leverage both financial and human capital effectively.

Align with Current Themes: Each cycle has specific focus areas. The 2021 cycle sought charities “creating a more sustainable planet” and “revitalising healthcare.” The 2024 cycle focused on “climate challenges” and “overlooked communities.” Applications must clearly align with announced priorities.

Show Innovation and Ambition: Octopus describes seeking “small but ambitious” charities taking “unique approaches.” Refettorio Felix provides “restaurant-quality” meals from surplus food with wraparound support. Successful applicants demonstrate innovative solutions, not conventional service delivery.

Pitch Presentation Skills: Shortlisted charities pitch directly to Octopus employees. The selection process involved “no slides presentation” with employees asking questions directly. Authenticity and the ability to connect personally with potential volunteers appears valued over polished presentations.

Partnership Mindset: Octopus emphasizes that “financial commitment” is only one element, with partnerships designed to be “transformational” through skills-sharing. Applications should demonstrate openness to receiving expertise in IT, marketing, finance, and HR, not just seeking funding.

Measurable Impact Potential: Successful partners report concrete outcomes: Thames21 cleared 250 meters of riverbanks, removed 1,607 bags of litter, planted 300 trees. Applications should articulate how partnership support would translate into quantifiable community impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing is Everything: Applications are only accepted every three years. Missing the cycle means waiting until 2027 for the next opportunity. Monitor their website and LinkedIn closely.

• Employee Voting is the Deciding Factor: This is not a traditional trustee decision. Your application must appeal to 250 Octopus employees across diverse roles. Write for an engaged, socially-conscious corporate audience, not just philanthropy professionals.

• It's About Total Partnership Value, Not Just the Grant: The £45,000 annual grant is substantial, but the 12,000+ volunteer hours, matched fundraising, and skills-sharing may deliver even greater value. Emphasize how you'd leverage all partnership elements.

• “Small but Ambitious” is the Sweet Spot: With previous income requirements of £500k-£1.5m, they seek organizations large enough to be sustainable but small enough that partnership support drives transformational change.

• Volunteering Accessibility is Non-Negotiable: Geographic proximity to Octopus offices and diverse volunteer opportunities (individual and team-based) are essential. If you can't easily engage London-based volunteers, you're likely not a good fit.

• Even if You're Not Selected, There's Still Value: Individual employees can volunteer with any UK charity, triggering £20/hour donations. Building relationships with Octopus employees year-round could generate ongoing support even outside formal partnerships.

• Learn from Previous Partners: Study the announced partners' missions and approaches. GoodGym (combining fitness and volunteering), Thames21 (hands-on environmental action), Fields in Trust (protecting green spaces), and Refettorio Felix (dignity-centered community support) all demonstrate innovation, clear volunteer pathways, and measurable community impact.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Halpin Trust
• TALLOW CHANDLERS BENEVOLENT FUND NO 2
• ST ANDREW HOLBORN AND STAFFORD'S CHARITY
• Richard Reeve's Foundation
• JOHN LYON'S CHARITY
• Lady Gould's Charity
• The Stroh Gestetner Foundation Ltd
• The Royal Caledonian Charities Trust
• The Englefield Charitable Trust
• The Charterhouse Charitable Trust

References

• Octopus Giving official page: https://octopusgroup.com/octopus-giving/
• Charity Commission Register - The Octopus Foundation (1161273): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1161273
• UK Fundraising: “Octopus seeks two small charities for three-year partnerships”: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/05/07/octopus-seeks-two-small-charities-for-three-year-partnerships/
• The Funding Network: “Three-year funding opportunity now open: environmental and health charities” (2021)
• Octopus Group: “Introducing our new environmental charity partner: Fields in Trust” (2024): https://octopusgroup.com/insights/introducing-our-new-environmental-charity-partner-fields-in-trust/
• Octopus Group: “Introducing our new charity partner supporting overlooked communities: Refettorio Felix” (2024): https://octopusgroup.com/insights/introducing-our-new-charity-partner-supporting-overlooked-communities-refettorio-felix/
• Octopus Group: “A look back on a fantastic 3-year partnership with GoodGym” (2024): https://octopusgroup.com/insights/a-look-back-on-a-fantastic-3-year-partnership-with-goodgym/
• Octopus Group: “A look back on a fantastic 3-year partnership with Thames21” (2024): https://octopusgroup.com/insights/a-look-back-on-a-fantastic-3-year-partnership-with-thames21/
• Fields in Trust: “Our new three-year partnership with Octopus Group” (2024): https://fieldsintrust.org/about-us/news/our-new-three-year-partnership-with-octopus-gr
• B Corporation Directory - Octopus Group: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/octopus-group/