The R And S Cohen Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £142,306 (2023 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: UK, with international interests (particularly Middle East peacebuilding)

Contact Details

Address: 3-4 Stanley Crescent, London W11 2NB

Phone: 020 7182 7800

Email: Not publicly available

Website: No public website identified

Overview

The R and S Cohen Foundation was established in 1999 by Sir Ronald Cohen and his wife. The foundation makes charitable grants for the advancement of education, the relief of persons who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress, and for the promotion and encouragement for the public benefit of all aspects of the arts. With a total expenditure of £142,306 in 2023 (income £20,070) and £398,241 in 2022 (income £31,857), the foundation operates as a private grant-making trust. Sir Ronald Cohen is a pioneering figure in impact investment and social finance, having co-founded numerous social investment organizations and chaired the G8 Social Impact Investment Task Force. The foundation appears to make strategic grants aligned with the trustees' interests in education, peacebuilding, arts, and social justice.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not appear to have formal, publicly advertised grant programs. Past grants have been made to organizations including:

• The Portland Trust: Major recipient focusing on Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding through economic development (historical grants of £500,000 in 2011 and 2012, £938,000 in 2009, £765,000 in 2008)
• University of Sussex: Historical grant of £200,000 in 2011
• Centre for Social Justice: Founded by Iain Duncan Smith
• New Israel Fund: Supporting civil society in Israel
• Board of Deputies of British Jews: UK Jewish community organization
• British Museum: Arts and cultural support

Priority Areas

Based on the foundation's stated objects and the trustees' broader philanthropic interests:

• Education: Advancement of education, particularly higher education and educational access
• Arts and Culture: Promotion of the arts for public benefit, including support for cultural institutions
• Social Welfare: Relief of persons in need, hardship, or distress
• Peacebuilding: Particular interest in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts through economic development
• Social Investment: Aligned with Sir Ronald Cohen's pioneering work in impact investment

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified, though the foundation's charitable objects limit grants to education, relief of need/hardship/distress, and arts promotion.

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by five trustees:

1. Sir Ronald Cohen - Founder and Chair. A venture capitalist and philanthropist widely recognized as the “father of British venture capital” and a pioneer of impact investment. He is Chairman of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment, co-founder of Social Finance UK/US/Israel, Bridges Fund Management, and Big Society Capital. Former trustee of the British Museum. Also serves as trustee of The Michael Cohen Trust, The Portland Trust, and The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment.

1. Lady Sharon Harel-Cohen - Co-founder and trustee.

1. Jonathan Harel-Cohen - Trustee. Also serves as trustee of The Portland Trust.

1. Tamara Jennifer Harel-Cohen - Trustee.

1. David Norman Marks - Chartered Accountant and trustee. Also serves as trustee of The Apax Foundation, The Weizmann Institute Foundation, The JC Eudaimonia Foundation, and Orange Tree Theatre Ltd.

No trustees receive remuneration from the foundation.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates through trustee discretion, with grants appearing to be made to organizations and causes identified by the trustees rather than through open solicitation of applications. There is no website, application portal, or published application guidelines.

Grants appear to be made based on:

• Trustee discretion and strategic priorities
• Pre-existing relationships with beneficiary organizations
• Alignment with the trustees' broader philanthropic interests in education, peacebuilding, arts, and social investment

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available due to the private nature of the grant-making process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors appear relevant based on analysis of past grants and trustee interests:

• Alignment with Trustee Interests: Organizations working in areas of known trustee interest (impact investment, Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding, higher education, major cultural institutions, social justice) appear more likely to receive support.

• Strategic Impact: The foundation's grants appear to support organizations undertaking significant strategic work rather than smaller, incremental projects. Historical grants have been substantial (£200,000-£500,000+ range).

• Connection to Trustees' Networks: Given the private nature of grant-making, connection to the trustees' extensive professional and philanthropic networks appears relevant. Sir Ronald Cohen's network spans venture capital, impact investment, major educational institutions (Harvard, Oxford, Ben Gurion University), and social finance organizations.

• Educational Innovation: The trustees have shown interest in educational advancement, particularly in higher education and innovative educational approaches.

• Arts and Culture: Support for major cultural institutions such as the British Museum reflects interest in significant arts and cultural organizations.

• Peacebuilding Through Economic Development: The substantial, sustained support for The Portland Trust demonstrates commitment to this approach.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Do not submit speculative proposals.

• Private Family Foundation: The foundation operates as a private trust with grants made at trustee discretion based on strategic priorities and relationships.

• Strategic, Substantial Grants: Historical grants suggest a focus on larger, strategic grants to established organizations rather than small project funding.

• Trustee Network: The foundation's grant-making appears closely tied to Sir Ronald Cohen's extensive network in venture capital, impact investment, education, and social finance.

• Focus Areas: Education (particularly higher education), arts and culture (major institutions), peacebuilding (especially Israeli-Palestinian economic development), and social justice align with trustee interests.

• Impact Investment Alignment: Given Sir Ronald Cohen's pioneering role in impact investment, organizations demonstrating social impact alongside sustainability may be of interest.

• Limited Recent Public Information: Financial filings show continued activity, but specific recent grant recipients are not publicly documented, suggesting private, discretionary grant-making continues.

References

• Charity Commission Register - THE R AND S COHEN FOUNDATION, Charity Number 1078225. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1078225&subId=0

• Charity Commission Trustee Information - THE R AND S COHEN FOUNDATION. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3964345/trustees

• Powerbase Profile - R and S Cohen Foundation. Available at: https://powerbase.info/index.php/R_and_S_Cohen_Foundation

• Sir Ronald Cohen Official Website - Biography and Organizations. Available at: https://www.sirronaldcohen.org/

• Philanthropy Impact - Sir Ronald Cohen Profile. Available at: https://www.philanthropy-impact.org/why-philanthropy-and-impact-investment/inspiring-stories/sir-ronald-cohen/

• British Museum Collections - The R and S Cohen Foundation. Available at: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG197880

• Charity Choice Directory - R and S Cohen Foundation. Available at: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-r-and-s-cohen-foundation-71327