The Powell Family Foundation

Charity Number: 1190017

Annual Expenditure: £1.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,072,864 (charitable spending, 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 2 weeks after committee meeting
  • Grant Range (Individuals): £100 - £5,000
  • Grant Range (Organisations): Up to £50,000 (larger amounts considered)
  • Geographic Focus: United Kingdom

Contact Details

Website: www.tpff.org.uk

Email: info@tpff.org.uk

Phone: 020 7458 4554

Address: Thanet House, 231-232 Strand, London WC2R 1DA

The Foundation welcomes inquiries about eligibility and the application process before submitting an application.

Overview

The Powell Family Foundation was established in June 2020 by Rodney Powell and his mother Pat Powell, funded by their generous estates. Rodney was a chartered surveyor who served 37 years as a Thomas Pocklington Trust Trustee before his death in September 2020 at age 71. Pat died in early 2021, just short of her 102nd birthday. The Foundation is an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1190017) with total income of £1.89 million in 2024, primarily from investments. The Foundation exists exclusively to support blind and vision-impaired children, young people, and adults aged 25 and under throughout the UK, helping them reach their full potential through grants that improve emotional and physical well-being, increase knowledge and skills, and support independence.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants: £100 - £5,000

  • For vision-impaired individuals aged 25 and under
  • Permanently resident in the UK
  • In need of financial assistance
  • Applications reviewed monthly
  • Decision communicated within 2 weeks of committee meeting

Organisational Grants: Up to £50,000

  • For UK-registered charities and not-for-profit organisations
  • Larger amounts considered for particularly strong cases
  • Must directly benefit vision-impaired children and young people
  • Applications reviewed quarterly
  • Decision communicated within 2 weeks of committee meeting

Priority Areas

Successful applications typically achieve positive impact in at least one of these areas:

  • Advocacy and Assessment: Support for vision assessment referral and certification
  • Assistive Devices and Equipment: Technology and tools to support independence
  • Curriculum Development: Educational programs for vision-impaired learners
  • Specialist Teaching: Training and achievement of qualifications for educators supporting vision-impaired children
  • Assistive Technology: Digital and technological solutions
  • Educational Support: Programs that enhance learning opportunities
  • Well-being Activities: Drama, music, sports, and other activities that support emotional and physical well-being

What They Don't Fund

  • Overseas charities (non-UK registered)
  • Charities holding more than 6 months of unrestricted funds
  • State or independent schools
  • NHS trusts
  • Local authorities
  • Commercial organisations
  • Household bills or debts
  • Political campaigns
  • Medical research
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Foundation is run by seven trustees, all of whom serve without remuneration:

  • Simon Curtis (Founding Trustee)
  • John Renshaw (Founding Trustee)
  • David Genders (Founding Trustee)
  • Alison Oliver
  • Abigail Sayagh
  • John Turnbull
  • Steve Barton

Staff

  • Colin Whitbourn, Executive Director
  • Cathy Hurst, Grants Manager
  • Jenny Collins, Grants Officer

The Foundation describes itself as “an independent, well-resourced Foundation run by Trustees and staff who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of vision impaired children and young people.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

One-stage application process via the Foundation's website at tpff.org.uk

For Individuals:

  • Application or nomination form required
  • Monthly review by Grants Committee
  • Decision within 2 weeks of meeting

For Organisations:

  • Full application form required
  • Quarterly review by Grants Committee
  • Decision within 2 weeks of meeting

Decision Timeline

  • Review Frequency: Monthly (individuals) / Quarterly (organisations)
  • Decision Notification: Within 2 weeks of committee meeting
  • Possible Outcomes: Approve, Request More Information, Reject
  • Final Decision: The decision of the Grants Committee is final

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose success rates or the number of applications received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation directly at info@tpff.org.uk to discuss reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt.

Application Success Factors

Key Advice from the Foundation

  • Read guidance notes carefully: Ensure you understand all eligibility criteria and funding priorities before applying
  • Complete all required forms: Incomplete applications may delay or prevent assessment
  • Demonstrate clear impact: Show how the grant will make a tangible difference to vision-impaired young people
  • Be transparent about needs: Clearly articulate why the funding is necessary

What They Look For

The Foundation seeks applications that:

  • Directly benefit vision-impaired children and young people aged 25 and under in the UK
  • Address at least one of their priority impact areas (advocacy, education, well-being, independence)
  • Come from organisations focused specifically on services for vision-impaired young people
  • Demonstrate financial need (organisations should not have excessive reserves)

Strategic Considerations

  • The Foundation is relatively new (established 2020) and well-resourced, suggesting growing grant-making capacity
  • They explicitly state trustees will consider amounts above £50,000 for particularly strong cases
  • Pre-application contact is welcomed, suggesting relationship building is valued
  • Focus is exclusively on vision impairment for those 25 and under - applications must fit this narrow remit

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Narrow but deep focus: This funder has a very specific remit (vision-impaired young people 25 and under only), but significant resources dedicated to this cause. Ensure your project fits precisely within this focus.
  • Well-resourced and growing: With nearly £2 million in annual income and a relatively new foundation, they have capacity to make meaningful grants. Don't be afraid to request the upper end of their range if justified.
  • Relationship-oriented: The Foundation welcomes pre-application contact. Use this opportunity to discuss fit and strengthen your application before submission.
  • Clear decision timeline: With monthly (individual) or quarterly (organisational) reviews and 2-week notification, you can plan your funding timeline with confidence.
  • Impact over process: While they want complete applications, the emphasis is on demonstrating clear, tangible impact for vision-impaired young people rather than complex proposals.
  • Financial sustainability matters: They explicitly exclude organisations with more than 6 months of unrestricted funds, suggesting they want to support organisations with genuine financial need.
  • Direct benefit required: Whether funding organisations or individuals, the grant must provide direct benefit to vision-impaired children and young people in the UK.

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