The Ovo Foundation

Charity Number: 1155954

Annual Expenditure: £0.8M
Geographic Focus: Throughout London, Bristol City

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £780,042 (2024)
  • Total Grants Made: 97 grants to 67 recipients (2016-2025)
  • Grant Range: £3,000 - £2,119,049
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide, with particular focus on Bristol, London, and Glasgow
  • Application Method: Specific calls for applications (not rolling)
  • Funding Focus: Climate action and education for children and young people

Contact Details

Overview

The OVO Charitable Foundation (registered charity 1155954) was established on 27 February 2014 as the independent charitable arm of OVO Energy. The Foundation focuses exclusively on young people and climate action, working towards “creating a greener, brighter future for the next generation.” With total grants of £7.8 million awarded since 2016, the Foundation has committed over £2 million through its flagship Climate Changers programme alone since 2020. The Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees (most independent from OVO Energy) and regulated by the Charity Commission. Rather than accepting unsolicited applications year-round, the Foundation operates by conducting its own research into social issues and periodically issuing specific calls for applications for targeted programmes. Recent initiatives include the Climate Changers Fund, Community Impact grants, and the new Green Skills programme launched in 2025.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Climate Changers Programme

  • Multi-year grants up to £333,333 per charity (£1m total fund for 3-year partnerships)
  • National-scale projects focused on climate education and action for young people
  • Previous recipients: Ashden (nature projects in 75 schools), Apps for Good (26,000 students developing climate solutions apps), Students Organising for Sustainability UK (training 4,500 teachers)
  • Application method: Competitive open call when programme launched

Community Impact Programme

  • £25,000 one-year grants
  • Focus on Bristol, London, and Glasgow areas (near OVO offices)
  • Supporting local climate action and green space access projects
  • 2024 recipients: 12 charities including Square Food Foundation, Glasgow Eco Trust, Hammersmith Community Gardens
  • 2025/26: 11 partners including 10 renewals plus new partner The Avon Centre

Green Skills Programme (launched 2025)

  • Partnership-based funding for youth green employment initiatives
  • Recent partners: Youth Environmental Services (YES) for paid apprenticeships, New Economics Foundation (NEF) for research on Youth Skilling Wage

Roots and Routes Fund

  • Grants up to £20,000
  • Youth-led organisations fighting for climate justice
  • Partnership fund with The Co-op Foundation, The Blagrave Trust, and Energy Saving Trust's Foundation

OVO Foundation Nature Prize

  • Smaller prizes: 10 prizes of £1,000 and 15 prizes of £200
  • Competition for schools for nature projects

Priority Areas

  • Climate action and environmental projects involving children and young people
  • Climate education programmes in schools and communities
  • Green space access and nature connection for young people
  • Youth employment and skills development in the green economy
  • Community-led environmental initiatives in disadvantaged areas
  • Sustainable food and cooking education
  • Projects with potential to scale and create lasting change

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects not focused on climate or environment
  • Work not benefiting children and young people
  • Small-scale projects without growth potential
  • Organizations outside the UK
  • General running costs without clear climate/youth impact
  • Individual hardship (separate OVO Energy Trust Fund handles this)
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Foundation is governed by 8 trustees who meet quarterly to discuss strategy and make important decisions. Current trustees include:

  • Phillip Kerry (appointed 2020) - Charity Chief Executive
  • Roseanne Baxter (appointed 2023)
  • Thomas Wilson (appointed 2021)
  • Mahnoor Kamran (appointed 2024) - Student at Oxford University reading Geography, Campaign Co-ordinator at SOS-UK, Youth Board Member at Good Energy
  • Innocent Mutindi - Financial Controller at Unity Trust Bank, serving as Treasurer
  • Alex Doorey - Recently appointed trustee

All trustees serve without remuneration. Most trustees are independent from OVO Energy, ensuring the Foundation's independence while aligning with OVO's values.

Independence

The Foundation is legally separate from OVO Energy and regulated by the Charity Commission. It follows strict Charity Commission guidelines to maintain independence while being funded by OVO Energy customer donations and corporate contributions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The OVO Foundation does not accept rolling grant applications. Instead, they operate through a proactive model:

  1. Periodic Open Calls: The Foundation periodically issues specific calls for applications when launching new programmes or funding rounds. For example, the 2022 Climate Changers Fund had an open application process that received 154 applications.
  1. Proactive Identification: Between formal calls, the Foundation conducts its own research into social issues and identifies potential partners to approach directly.
  1. Invitation-Based: Many partnerships begin with the Foundation reaching out to organizations whose work aligns with their strategic priorities.

When Open Calls Are Issued (using 2022 Climate Changers as example):

  • Application method: Online application form
  • Two-stage process:
  • Stage 1: Online application with deadline
  • Stage 2: Shortlisted applicants meet with Foundation (in-person or video)
  • Competitive process (154 applicants for 3 awards in Climate Changers 2022)

Current Status: The Foundation does not have any open funding rounds and is unlikely to have any for the rest of 2025 (as of research date).

Getting on Their Radar

While the Foundation doesn't accept unsolicited proposals outside of formal calls, organizations interested in future funding can:

  1. Monitor Their Website: Check https://www.ovofoundation.org.uk/ regularly for announcements of new funding rounds. They publish calls for applications when launching new programmes.
  1. Express Interest: The Foundation has stated they are “interested in hearing from UK organisations who are progressing climate action and education for children and young people.” Contact hello@ovofoundation.org.uk to express interest.
  1. Demonstrate Impact: Organizations graded 'excellent' or 'good' are prioritized for board recommendations. Strong safeguarding policies and procedures are essential.
  1. Geographic Alignment: Being based in or working in Bristol, London, or Glasgow may increase chances for Community Impact-type funding, as these are areas near OVO offices.
  1. Partnership Approach: The Foundation seeks “fewer and more targeted interventions to have a radical impact” rather than funding many small projects. Think strategic partnerships rather than one-off grants.

Decision Timeline

For Competitive Open Calls (based on 2022 Climate Changers):

  • Stage 1 decision: Approximately 3 weeks after deadline
  • Stage 2 meetings: 2 weeks after Stage 1 decisions
  • Final decision: 5-6 weeks after Stage 2 meetings
  • Total timeline: Approximately 3 months from application to final decision

Due Diligence Process:

  • Safeguarding review (policy, procedures, training, incident records)
  • Organizational assessment (must be graded 'excellent' or 'good')
  • Board recommendation and approval (trustees meet quarterly)

Success Rates

Climate Changers Programme 2022:

  • Applications received: 154
  • Awards made: 3
  • Success rate: 1.9%
  • This demonstrates a highly competitive process when funding rounds are open

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation funds multi-year partnerships and renewals. For example, the 2025/26 Community Impact programme renewed 10 out of 11 partners from previous years, indicating they value continuing relationships with effective partners.

For unsuccessful applicants to competitive rounds, no specific waiting period is mentioned, though organizations would need to wait for the next relevant open call.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of successful recipients and the Foundation's stated priorities:

What Successful Applications Demonstrate

  1. Scale and Growth Potential: The Foundation explicitly seeks “projects with potential to grow and truly make a difference far and wide.” Successful Climate Changers recipients reached 26,000-37,000 young people. Show how your project can scale beyond initial funding.
  1. Direct Impact on Young People and Climate: Every funded project combines both elements. Apps for Good enabled “26,000 students to develop app prototypes offering real solutions to the climate crisis” - concrete youth engagement producing measurable climate outcomes.
  1. Innovation and Solutions-Focus: The Foundation creates “innovative solutions to problems.” Successful projects like Students Organising for Sustainability UK's “Teach the Teacher” approach demonstrate creative methodology.
  1. Strong Organizational Standing: Organizations must be graded 'excellent' or 'good' to receive board recommendation. Robust safeguarding policies and procedures are non-negotiable.
  1. Geographic Relevance: For Community Impact grants, being based in or serving Bristol, London, or Glasgow significantly improves chances.
  1. Alignment with Current Strategy: The Foundation's focus evolves (e.g., Green Skills programme launched 2025). Understanding current strategic priorities is essential.

Evidence from Funded Projects

Recent successful grants demonstrate the Foundation values:

  • Tangible outputs: “75 schools with cash prizes to kick start their own nature projects, bringing over 37,000 children closer to nature” (Ashden)
  • Education focus: “Training over 4,500 teachers” (SOS-UK), “Primary Schools Cookery Project” (Square Food Foundation)
  • Local community roots: Community Impact grants support local charities in specific neighborhoods
  • Green economy pathways: “Paid apprenticeships to get young people into paid work in the environmental industry” (YES partnership)

What Strengthens Applications

  • Detailed, honest applications with comprehensive information about your organization and project
  • Clear demonstration of how climate and youth objectives interconnect
  • Evidence of organizational capacity to deliver at scale
  • Strong safeguarding framework
  • Potential for long-term impact beyond the grant period
  • Clear metrics for measuring success and impact on young people

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No open rolling applications: Don't send unsolicited proposals. Wait for announced funding rounds or express general interest via email.
  • Highly competitive when open: With success rates under 2% for major programmes, applications must be exceptional and precisely aligned with programme objectives.
  • Think partnership, not grant: The Foundation seeks multi-year strategic partnerships rather than one-off funding relationships. Demonstrate long-term collaboration potential.
  • Dual focus is mandatory: Every project must address both climate action AND children/young people. Projects with only one element won't succeed.
  • Scale matters: The Foundation wants “radical impact” and “projects with potential to grow.” Small, localized projects are only funded through Community Impact grants in Bristol/London/Glasgow.
  • Monitor for announcements: Sign up for updates at ovofoundation.org.uk and check regularly for new programme launches, as these are your application windows.
  • Excellence in safeguarding: This is non-negotiable due diligence. Ensure your organization has robust, documented safeguarding policies before applying.
  • Geographic advantage: For Community Impact-type funding, being in Bristol, London, or Glasgow significantly improves chances.

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