The Oldham Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £16,000-£22,000 to charities
• Success Rate: Not available (trustee discretion)
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Variable (limited information available)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

• Phone: 0117 906 9350
• Address: c/o Michelmores LLP, 10 Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6BN
• Website: None
• Email: Not available
• Administrator: Michelmores LLP (solicitors)

Overview

The Oldham Foundation is a grant-making charity established in 1974 by Orlando Oldham. With annual charitable giving of approximately £16,000-£22,000, the foundation operates with wide charitable objects, allowing trustees complete discretion in their grant-making decisions. The foundation has a dual focus: providing support to former employees of Oldham International Limited and their families, while also making grants to lesser-known or smaller charities that might not otherwise receive funding. The charity is administered through Michelmores LLP solicitors and operates without paid staff, with all six trustees serving voluntarily.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two main strands of giving:

• Oldham Pensioners Support: £9,935 annually - Fixed distribution to former employees of Oldham International Limited and their families
• General Charitable Grants: £16,000-£22,000 annually - Discretionary grants to smaller charities

Priority Areas

• Support for former employees of Oldham International Limited and its subsidiary companies
• Lesser-known or smaller charities that might struggle to secure funding elsewhere
• Charitable causes of particular interest to the trustees

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions documented, though the focus on smaller charities suggests larger, well-funded organizations are unlikely to be considered.

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by six trustees, all serving voluntarily:

• John Wetherherd Sharpe - Chair (appointed 1997)
• John Hervey Oldham - Trustee (appointed 1990)
• Stephen Roberts - Trustee (appointed 1992)
• Michael Davies - Trustee (appointed 2007)
• Edward Oldham - Trustee (appointed 2017)
• Thomas Frederick Roles - Trustee (appointed 2018)

The charity is administered through Michelmores LLP solicitors in Bristol. Investment management is handled by Quilter Cheviot.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the trustees' absolute discretion, with no published guidelines, application forms, or deadlines. Organizations seeking funding must make direct contact through the charity's administrators at Michelmores LLP.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking funding should contact Michelmores LLP directly at 0117 906 9350. The foundation specifically focuses on “lesser-known or smaller charities which might not otherwise receive funding,” suggesting they may be receptive to approaches from organizations that fit this profile.

Decision Timeline

No information available on typical decision timeframes.

Success Rates

Not available - grants awarded through trustee discretion.

Reapplication Policy

No documented policy on reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's stated focus and operating model:

• Being a smaller or lesser-known charity appears to be an advantage
• Organizations with limited access to other funding sources may be prioritized
• Direct approach through Michelmores LLP is essential as there is no other application route
• The foundation's charitable objects are deliberately wide, allowing trustees complete discretion

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - all approaches must be made through Michelmores LLP
• Focus on being a smaller charity that might struggle to secure funding elsewhere
• Annual grant budget is modest (£16,000-£22,000 to external charities)
• Trustees have absolute discretion in grant-making decisions
• The foundation has operated consistently since 1974, suggesting stability in their giving
• With no website or public presence, personal contact through their administrators is essential

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Archie Sherman Cardiff Foundation
• JMWM HUSSAIN FOUNDATION
• The Paul and Marta Foundation
• Hedley Foundation Limited
• THE LILI TAPPER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The George A Moore Foundation
• THE CONWAY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The Anthony & Pat Charitable Foundation
• The Holroyd Foundation
• The Morgan Charitable Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register for The Oldham Foundation (269263): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/269263
• Charity Commission Accounts for year ending 5 April 2024
• Find That Charity profile: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-269263
• Giving is Great charity factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=269263
• Charity Choice listing: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-oldham-foundation