The Scott Bader Commonwealth Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £513,000 (income 2024), £689,000 (expenditure 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: £250 - £25,000 (depending on fund)
• Geographic Focus: Global (with preference for locations near Scott Bader facilities)

Contact Details

Website: www.scottbader.com/commonwealth

Phone: 01933 666755

Email: Not publicly listed

Application Portal: https://scottbadercharityfund.optimytool.com/en (when open)

Overview

Founded in 1951 by Quaker industrialist Ernest Bader, The Scott Bader Commonwealth Limited is a registered charity (206391) that owns Scott Bader Company Ltd., an international chemical business with 600 staff and an annual turnover of £190m. The Commonwealth receives a minimum of 5% of Scott Bader's operating profit annually to distribute to charitable causes worldwide. With total income of £513,000 and charitable expenditure of £689,000 in 2024, the charity makes grants to organizations helping young or disadvantaged people suffering deprivation and discrimination, including poor, homeless and vulnerable women and children, and minority communities affected by poverty, lack of education, malnutrition and disease. The charity's mission remains rooted in its Quaker founding principles of equality, social responsibility, and community service. In 2022, the charity launched a special Centenary Fund to commemorate Scott Bader's 100 years in business.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Global Impact Fund: £25,000 x 4 projects = £100,000 total

Open January 6 - February 28 annually. Four projects worldwide receive £25,000 each. Projects must focus on at least one of: education, environment, or poverty. Only UK-registered charities or charities already known to Scott Bader can apply. Successful applicants present to Commonwealth Members in late March.

Glocal Strategy Fund (formerly Local Strategy Fund): £250 - £10,000

Supports charities near Scott Bader locations including UK, Republic of Ireland, France, Sweden, Spain, Czech Republic, Croatia, Dubai, South Africa, USA, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, India, Italy, Germany, and Turkey. Rolling application process (check website for current status).

Employee Matched Funding Scheme: Up to £1,000 per employee

Scott Bader matches every £1 raised by employees in charitable fundraising activities, up to £1,000 per person per year, effectively doubling fundraising efforts.

Priority Areas

• Education and literacy programs
• Environmental projects and sustainability
• Poverty alleviation and relief support
• Children and young people's welfare
• Disadvantaged and marginalized communities
• BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) communities
• LGBTQ+ communities
• Projects in locations where Scott Bader operates globally

What They Don't Fund

• Animals
• Individuals in need
• Travel and adventure schemes
• Art projects
• Sports clubs
• Medical research and equipment
• General appeals
• Building construction/renovation/maintenance in the UK

Ready to write a winning application for The Scott Bader Commonwealth Limited?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

The Commonwealth Board serves as guardian of Scott Bader's Core Values and Guiding Principles. The charity operates with 9 trustees and 3 employees.

Chair: Andy Bell (appointed 2024) - 39 years' experience in financial markets, previously served as Guardian Trustee

Guardian Trustees:

• Richard Tapp: Solicitor and Chartered Governance Professional with 20+ years in company secretary/general counsel roles
• Gillian Shapiro: Leadership and organizational development coach with 30 years' expertise in complex change, diversity and inclusion
• Sonia Davies: Chartered Accountant with finance leadership experience in tech and engineering sectors
• Harry Manning: Medical doctor and great-grandson of founder Ernest Bader
• John Brenchley: Former employee with strategic commercial leadership background in specialty chemicals

Internally Elected Directors (Commonwealth Members):

• Paul Smith: Non-Executive Chair, chemistry graduate with 40+ years in business leadership and strategic marketing
• David Black: Quality and IMS Manager at Scott Bader UK with 20+ years in quality management
• Ben Penney: Group Marketing Manager who led Centenary celebrations
• Juliette Delprat: Group L&D Advisor, with Scott Bader since 1991

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online portal at https://scottbadercharityfund.optimytool.com/en when application windows are open.

Global Impact Fund: Opens January 6, closes February 28 annually

Glocal Strategy Fund: Check website for current application status (windows open and close periodically)

Pre-application Requirements:

• Charity must be operational for over 2 years
• UK registration required (or charities already known to Scott Bader for overseas projects)
• First-time applicants recommended to apply for £2,000-£4,000 for Glocal Strategy Fund

Decision Timeline

Global Impact Fund presentations occur in late March (typically March 26-27) following the February deadline. Final decisions made by Commonwealth Members through voting process. Specific decision timelines for Glocal Strategy Fund not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly available. The Global Impact Fund awards 4 grants from all applications received during the January-February window.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Contact the charity directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Core Values: The Commonwealth's Quaker founding principles emphasize equality, social responsibility, and community service. Projects demonstrating these values have strong alignment.

Geographic Connection: While the Global Impact Fund accepts applications from anywhere, the Glocal Strategy Fund prioritizes charities near Scott Bader's global facilities. Demonstrating connection to these locations can strengthen applications.

Focus on Disadvantaged Communities: The charity explicitly prioritizes BAME and LGBTQ+ communities alongside traditional disadvantaged groups. Applications serving these populations align with stated priorities.

Realistic First-Time Requests: The charity specifically recommends first-time applicants request £2,000-£4,000 rather than the maximum £10,000, suggesting they value building relationships with new grantees gradually.

Recent Funded Examples Demonstrate Impact:

• Carers Worldwide received £25,000 for income-generation training for 150 unpaid carers in India, benefiting 780 people across 150 households
• Karen Hilltribes Trust received £25,000 to transform water and sanitation systems
• The Mud House Children's Foundation received £25,000 for borehole and water well installation in Northern Tanzania
• The Hands Off Foundation received £25,000 for care packages for survivors of sexual assault and family violence in Australia
• UOCEAN received £4,000 for canal plastic collection equipment and operations

Three Thematic Pillars for Global Impact Fund: Education, environment, or poverty - applications must address at least one. Projects integrating multiple themes may be particularly compelling.

Operational Track Record: Minimum 2 years operation required demonstrates the charity values established organizations with proven delivery capabilities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Start modest: First-time applicants should request £2,000-£4,000 from Glocal Strategy Fund to build relationship before seeking larger amounts
• Geographic strategy matters: Projects near Scott Bader facilities (UK, Ireland, France, Sweden, Spain, Czech Republic, Croatia, Dubai, South Africa, USA, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, India, Italy, Germany, Turkey) align with Glocal Strategy Fund priorities
• BAME and LGBTQ+ focus: The charity explicitly seeks to support these communities - don't overlook this stated priority
• Global Impact Fund is highly competitive: Only 4 grants of £25,000 awarded annually from worldwide applications during 8-week window
• Quaker values resonate: Emphasis on equality, social responsibility, and community service reflects founding principles
• Employee ownership model: Understanding that Commonwealth Members (employees) vote on Global Impact Fund awards may help frame applications around worker empowerment and democratic values
• Plan ahead for Global Impact Fund: January 6 - February 28 window requires preparation in advance; late March presentations mean availability required

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Shanly Foundation
• THE CLIVE RICHARDS FOUNDATION
• William Adlington Cadbury Charitable Trust
• Two Ridings Community Foundation
• Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside
• Isle of Wight Foundation
• The John Mason Family Trust
• County of Gloucestershire Community Foundation
• Milton Keynes Community Foundation Limited
• Herefordshire Community Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/206391
• Scott Bader Commonwealth website: https://www.scottbader.com/commonwealth/
• How to Apply for a Grant: https://www.scottbader.com/commonwealth/how-to-apply-for-a-grant/
• Commonwealth Board: https://www.scottbader.com/about-us/commonwealth-board/
• Scott Bader Commonwealth Celebrate with Recipients of Centenary Fund: https://www.scottbader.com/knowledge-hub/news/scott-bader-commonwealth-celebrate-with-recipients-of-centenary-fund/
• Quakers in the World - Scott Bader Commonwealth: https://www.quakersintheworld.org/quakers-in-action/179/Scott-Bader-Commonwealth
• Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum - The Scott Bader Commonwealth Limited: https://cornwallvsf.org/supporting/funding/the-scott-bader-commonwealth-limited/
• Fundraising Activities: https://www.scottbader.com/commonwealth/fundraising-activities/