The Sanghera Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not yet publicly available
• Success Rate: Not yet publicly available (applications not yet open)
• Decision Time: Not yet established
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
• Status: Newly established, currently running pilot programmes

Contact Details

Website: https://www.sfoundation.com

Email: enquiries@sfoundation.com

Charity Number: 1196864

Overview

The Sanghera Foundation is a newly established UK charity founded by the Sanghera family, led by Dr Gordon Sanghera CBE, CEO and co-founder of Oxford Nanopore Technologies. The Foundation is currently in its pilot phase, developing its donation and impact strategies through initial programmes before opening formal applications. The Foundation focuses on supporting small to medium-sized charities that work with communities or individuals with fewer opportunities, particularly young people in challenging home or school environments. The Foundation's mission reflects Gordon Sanghera's journey to becoming a successful biotech entrepreneur, aiming to improve social mobility and broaden opportunities for young people across all backgrounds in the UK.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Foundation is currently operating pilot programmes with selected charities before establishing a formal grant application process. Based on their stated priorities, they fund organisations across three main areas:

Education: Supporting educational opportunities and youth development programmes

Sport: Funding sports-based community and youth engagement initiatives

Music: Supporting music education and community music programmes

Priority Areas

The Foundation prioritises support for:

• Small to medium-sized UK charities
• Organisations supporting communities or individuals with fewer opportunities
• Programmes focused on young people in challenging home or school environments
• Education-based interventions
• Sport as a vehicle for youth development and social mobility
• Music as a tool for community engagement and personal development
• Charities working on social mobility issues
• Grassroots community organisations

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation explicitly does not support:

• NGOs/international charities (UK focus only)
• Animal welfare organisations
• Environmental activities
• Hospitals or healthcare delivery
• Charities with specific religious focus
• Charities with specific political focus

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Governance and Leadership

Founder

Dr Gordon Sanghera CBE - CEO and Co-founder of Oxford Nanopore Technologies

Gordon worked through education to achieve a bioelectronics PhD and pursued postdoctoral work at Oxford. Before co-founding Oxford Nanopore, he held key positions at MediSense, an Oxford University spin-out, where he was instrumental in launching glucose monitoring systems. He was awarded a CBE in 2023 for services to the Technology Sector.

Gordon has stated his commitment to social mobility, noting that many challenges remain, especially where young people have additional challenges in their home or school environments.

Board of Trustees

Information about the current board of trustees is available via the Charity Commission register.

Charity Structure

• Trustees appointed to oversee governance
• No trading subsidiaries

How to Apply to The Sanghera Foundation

How to Apply

Applications are not currently open. The Foundation is in its initial development phase, running pilot programmes to develop its donation and impact strategies. According to their website, the Foundation intends to invite applications for funding after completing its pilot phase.

The Foundation has not yet announced when formal applications will open or what the application process will look like.

Current Approach: During the pilot phase, the Foundation appears to be proactively identifying and supporting charities that align with their mission, rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

Not yet established - will be announced when formal application process opens.

Success Rates

Not yet applicable as formal applications are not yet accepted.

Reapplication Policy

Not yet established - will be announced when formal application process opens.

Application Success Factors

While formal applications are not yet open, the Foundation's stated priorities provide insights:

Strong Focus on Youth Development: Priority for charities working directly with young people, particularly those facing educational or social challenges.

Local and Grassroots: The Foundation's focus on small to medium-sized charities suggests openness to community-based organisations.

Social Mobility Alignment: Given the Foundation's explicit commitment to social mobility, organisations demonstrating how they break down barriers for disadvantaged young people are likely to resonate strongly.

Education Through Alternative Means: The Foundation supports organisations using sport and music as vehicles for education and development, not just traditional academic programmes.

Inclusion and Accessibility: Focus on ensuring opportunities for young people with additional needs.

Evidence of Impact: Organisations should be prepared to demonstrate tangible impact on young people's opportunities and life outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Monitor their website (sfoundation.com) for announcements about when applications will open - this is a newly established funder still developing their processes
• Align with social mobility mission: Demonstrate how your work creates opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Small to medium charities are the target: They specifically want to support smaller organisations
• Three clear pillars: Education, sport, or music - ensure your work clearly fits within at least one of these areas
• UK-focused only: International work and overseas charities are explicitly excluded
• Be patient: As a new foundation, processes and criteria will evolve - early engagement when applications open could be advantageous

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Carmela & Ronnie Pignatelli Foundation
• The Stanley Grundy Foundation Limited
• Hedley Foundation Limited
• Hollick Family Foundation
• The John S Cohen Foundation
• The David Wilson Foundation
• The Schroder Foundation
• The Rumi Foundation
• The David Family Foundation
• The Considered Ask Foundation

References

1. The Sanghera Foundation official website - https://www.sfoundation.com/
2. The Sanghera Foundation About page - https://www.sfoundation.com/about
3. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1196864 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5186396
4. Oxford Nanopore Technologies - Executive Team - https://nanoporetech.com/about/executive-team