The Rory And Elizabeth Brooks Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,285,975 (annual income); £1,699,402 (annual expenditure)
• Success Rate: N/A - invitation only
• Decision Time: N/A - invitation only
• Grant Range: £1,000,000+ for major strategic partnerships
• Geographic Focus: UK (particularly London and Manchester) and international development
• Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Contact Details

Address: Suite 104, 14 Hanover Square, London, W1S 1HN

Website: https://www.rebrooksfoundation.org.uk/

Email: robyn@heraoffice.com

Phone: 07989982409

Registered Charity Number: 1111587

Note on Unsolicited Applications: Due to limited capacity, grant proposals are by invitation only. The Foundation is unable to consider unsolicited funding requests and regrets that it will not be possible to respond to these.

Overview

The Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation is a private, philanthropic foundation established in 2006 to provide structure for Elizabeth and Rory Brooks' ongoing philanthropy. With annual expenditure of approximately £1.7 million, the Foundation focuses on poverty research, UK higher education, social justice, and contemporary art. The Foundation takes a distinctive partnership-driven approach, providing both financial and practical support through long-term engagement. Rory Brooks CBE, co-founder of MML Capital Partners, was appointed CBE in the 2015 Birthday Honours and serves as a Commissioner of the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Elizabeth Brooks is a past Chair of the Tate Patrons Executive Committee and co-Chair of Tate's Photography Acquisition Committee. The Foundation has contributed over £4 million to the University of Manchester since 2004, with their most recent £2 million gift in 2024 representing their largest-ever grant.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation makes substantial, multi-year grants to organizations where the founders can provide value beyond financial support. Recent major grants include:

• Global Development Institute, University of Manchester: £2 million over five years (2024) - their largest-ever grant, supporting postgraduate research and international partnerships
• Brooks World Poverty Institute: Over £4 million total since 2004, including £1.3m initial gift (2005), £1.4m (2008), and £1m (2012)
• Brooks International Fellowship at Tate: Ongoing funding since 2015 for curator residency program supporting two fellows annually for six-month placements

All grants are made by trustee discretion and invitation - there is no public application process.

Priority Areas

Education and Development:

• Research into poverty and global development
• UK higher education, particularly supporting access for disadvantaged students
• International partnerships with universities in the developing world
• Postgraduate research opportunities

Arts and Culture:

• Contemporary visual arts
• Public art and accessibility
• Arts-based programs for social inclusion
• Museum and gallery partnerships

Social Justice and Community:

• Small but ambitious and scalable charities in London helping disadvantaged youth (post-pandemic focus)
• Arts-based programming for marginalized communities
• Social and emotional skills development for young people
• Community care initiatives

Current Supported Organizations Include:

• Global Development Institute, University of Manchester
• IntoUniversity
• Tate (Brooks International Fellowship)
• ARTiculation (National Gallery)
• AllChild
• Create
• Rugby Portobello Trust
• Whitley Fund for Nature
• The Line (public art trail)
• Centre for Social Justice Foundation
• Quintessentially Foundation

What They Don't Fund

Given their invitation-only model and highly focused approach, the Foundation does not consider:

• Unsolicited applications of any kind
• Organizations outside their core focus areas
• Short-term or one-off projects
• Organizations where they cannot add value beyond financial support

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees/Directors:

• Rory Brooks CBE (Co-founder, appointed 2005) - Co-founder of MML Capital Partners, Charity Commissioner, former Chair of Global Leadership Board at University of Manchester (12 years), Trustee of IntoUniversity (since 2019), inaugural Trustee of CSJ Foundation, Chair of Quintessentially Foundation
• Elizabeth Brooks (Co-founder, appointed 2005) - Past Chair of Tate Patrons Executive Committee, Co-Chair of Tate's Photography Acquisition Committee, former Trustee of P3 (People, Potential and Possibilities), Art Fund patron
• Rebecca Eastmond (appointed November 2023) - Co-Founder and CEO of Greenwood Place, former charity lawyer and Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, over 20 years of experience in philanthropy

Key Advisor:

• Bridget - Has advised the Foundation since its inception in 2005 and has been involved in all aspects of the Foundation's philanthropic activities

Key Philosophy from Rory Brooks:

“Philanthropy, at its best, should be used to catalyse new and bold activity that is less likely to be funded through traditional channels.”

"Beneficiaries are often a bit too cautious, and in fact I think as a recipient you'll get more money for braver projects the more honest you are."

"Giving is about 'enabling', not 'influencing'. This is a key distinction which needs to be well articulated."

“The charity sector often measures only monetary gifts. I believe there should be a balance sheet for time given as well.”

How to Apply to The Rory And Elizabeth Brooks Foundation

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Foundation accepts grant proposals by invitation only. Unsolicited funding requests are not considered and the Foundation regrets that it will not be possible to respond to these due to limited capacity.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on:

• Pre-existing relationships with the founders
• Strategic alignment with Foundation priorities
• Organizations where trustees can add personal value through board service, advisory roles, or expertise
• Long-term partnership potential

Getting on Their Radar

Personal Connection Through Trustee Roles: Rory and Elizabeth Brooks serve as trustees and advisors to many organizations they support. Organizations where either founder serves as a trustee or in an advisory capacity are most likely to receive funding. Rory currently serves on the boards of IntoUniversity, Centre for Social Justice Foundation, and Quintessentially Foundation, while Elizabeth has served on the boards of P3 and Tate committees.

University of Manchester Connection: The Foundation has a deep 20-year relationship with the University of Manchester. Researchers, departments, or initiatives connected to this institution—particularly through the Global Development Institute—may have pathways to the Foundation's attention through existing institutional relationships.

Tate Partnership Network: Elizabeth's leadership roles at Tate (including as past Chair of the Patrons Executive Committee and current Co-Chair of the Photography Acquisition Committee) create a connection point. Visual arts professionals and organizations connected to Tate's network, particularly those involved with the Brooks International Fellowship Programme, may have visibility.

Sector-Specific Networks: The Foundation operates within specific networks:

• Poverty research and international development community
• Contemporary arts and museum sector
• Educational access and social mobility organizations in London
• Social justice charities addressing disadvantage

Organizations active and visible in these specific communities, particularly those demonstrating innovation and scalability in London, align with the Foundation's post-pandemic focus.

Decision Timeline

N/A - Grants are made by trustee discretion on an invitation-only basis. There are no published application deadlines or decision timelines.

Success Rates

N/A - No public application process exists, so success rates are not applicable.

Reapplication Policy

N/A - Organizations cannot apply or reapply as all grants are by invitation only.

Application Success Factors

While there is no public application process, the Foundation's documented approach and funded projects reveal clear success factors:

Long-Term Partnership Over Transactional Grants: The Foundation states that “our contribution has been most useful where we are able to engage personally beyond the financial contribution, and we have provided practical support as long-term trustees and advisors of many of the organisations we support.” Organizations that can benefit from trustee engagement, not just funding, are most aligned.

Bold, Catalytic Projects: Rory Brooks explicitly values risk-taking: “Philanthropy, at its best, should be used to catalyse new and bold activity that is less likely to be funded through traditional channels.” The Foundation seeks innovative projects that might struggle to secure traditional funding.

Honesty and Ambition: Brooks advises: "Beneficiaries are often a bit too cautious, and in fact I think as a recipient you'll get more money for braver projects the more honest you are." Organizations should be transparent about their ambitions and willing to pursue transformative change.

Enabling, Not Influencing: The Foundation's philosophy emphasizes “enabling” rather than “influencing” organizations. They look for organizations with clear objectives and strong leadership that can benefit from support without requiring donor direction.

Focus and Specificity: Brooks wants “a focused approach” to giving rather than being “scattered.” Successful partnerships demonstrate deep impact in specific areas rather than broad, generalized work.

Track Record in Core Areas: The Foundation has demonstrated sustained commitment to:

• Poverty research and global development (£4m+ to University of Manchester over 20 years)
• Arts accessibility and professional development (Brooks International Fellowship, ARTiculation)
• Educational access for disadvantaged youth (IntoUniversity)
• Small, ambitious, scalable charities in London helping disadvantaged youth (post-pandemic focus)

Relationship Maintenance: Brooks notes that the University of Manchester “understand[s] that the next best gift will come from the person who has already given to them.” Organizations that maintain strong relationships with donors and demonstrate impact are valued.

Explicit About Objectives: “Both sides need to be explicit about what their objectives are. For the recipient, that includes the specifics of that particular request, and more broadly what they are seeking to achieve as an organisation.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder - there is no public application process to pursue. Organizations cannot apply for grants.
• Focus on relationship-building through existing networks - The Foundation funds organizations where trustees serve in leadership roles or have pre-existing connections, particularly through University of Manchester, Tate, IntoUniversity, and social justice networks.
• Major grants are substantial and long-term - Recent grants range from £1m to £2m over multi-year periods, demonstrating commitment to strategic partnerships rather than small, one-off funding.
• Bold, innovative projects are valued - The Foundation explicitly seeks “catalytic” projects that traditional funders might not support, particularly those addressing poverty, educational access, and arts-based social inclusion.
• Personal engagement beyond money is central - The Foundation's model relies on trustees providing time, expertise, and board service alongside financial support.
• Post-pandemic London focus - The Foundation has refocused efforts to support “small but ambitious and scalable charities in London that help disadvantaged youth,” particularly those using arts-based approaches.
• Honesty and transparency are highly valued - Rory Brooks encourages organizations to be honest about ambitious goals rather than being cautious, stating that "you'll get more money for braver projects the more honest you are."

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Greenslade Family Foundation
• The Stewarts Law Foundation
• The Rumi Foundation
• The Conway Charitable Foundation
• Peter Dubens Family Foundation
• The Schroder Foundation
• S P Lohia Foundation
• The Peter Cruddas Foundation
• Khoo Teck Puat Uk Foundation
• The Law Family Charitable Foundation

References

1. The Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation official website, “Who We Are” - https://www.rebrooksfoundation.org.uk/who-we-are
2. The Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation official website, “Who We Support” - https://www.rebrooksfoundation.org.uk/who-we-support
3. The Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation official website, “Contact Us” - https://www.rebrooksfoundation.org.uk/contact-us
4. The Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation official website, “Timeline” - https://www.rebrooksfoundation.org.uk/timeline
5. Charity Commission for England and Wales, “The Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation - 1111587” - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1111587
6. Third Sector, “Big Giver: Rory Brooks, Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation” - https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/big-giver-rory-brooks-rory-elizabeth-brooks-foundation/fundraising/article/1060671
7. University of Manchester, “£1.33m donation for poverty research at the University of Manchester” - https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/133m-donation-for-poverty-research-at-the-university-of-manchester/
8. University of Manchester, “Transformational gift set to redefine global development research for the 21st century” - https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/transformational-gift-set-to-redefine-global-development-research-for-the-21st-century-at-university-of-manchester/
9. Philanthropy Impact, “£1.33m donation for poverty research at the University of Manchester” - https://www.philanthropy-impact.org/news/%C2%A3133m-donation-poverty-research-university-manchester
10. Tate, “Brooks International Fellowship Programme” - https://www.tate.org.uk/research/brooks-international-fellowship-programme
11. Companies House, “The Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation - Company Overview” - https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/05333422
12. IntoUniversity, “Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation” - https://intouniversity.org/supporter/rory-and-elizabeth-brooks-foundation/