The Serco Foundation

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1150338
• Annual Giving: £545,000+ (based on COVID-19 fund 2020)
• Geographic Focus: International (Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America, Middle East)
• Grant Recipients: ~300 organisations (2020 COVID-19 fund)
• Application Method: Rolling, email-based with Serco employee partnership requirement

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.sercofoundation.org/
• Email: info@sercofoundation.org
• Phone: 01256 745325

Overview

The Serco Foundation is a charitable trust registered in England & Wales in 2013 (charity number 1150338), working internationally to enhance public service outcomes for vulnerable citizens. Leveraging Serco Group's 90 years of public service experience, the Foundation provides both financial grants and in-kind support through employee expertise to charities, research bodies, and social enterprises across Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America, and the Middle East. The Foundation operates independently from Serco Group plc, though it receives unpaid administrative and governance support from the parent company. During the COVID-19 pandemic (March-July 2020), the Foundation demonstrated its capacity by making grants to almost 300 organisations globally, distributing over £545,000 through its Coronavirus Community Support Fund. The Foundation's distinctive approach combines financial support with access to professional expertise from Serco's global workforce.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation provides financial grants and in-kind support across four main categories:

• Innovative Public Service Delivery – Supporting new and innovative approaches to delivering public services
• Support for Vulnerable Populations – Programmes and charities serving vulnerable citizens beyond the reach of conventional public services
• Academic Research – Academic research conducted for public benefit
• Skills Development – Programmes fostering skills development within the public sector

Priority Areas

The Foundation particularly (but not exclusively) welcomes applications relating to:

• Justice and Immigration
• Transport
• Health
• Citizen Services
• Defence

Priority is given to organisations supporting:

• The homeless
• The elderly
• The hungry
• Those facing extraordinary challenges
• Vulnerable groups beyond conventional public service reach

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the Foundation's focus is clearly on organisations working with vulnerable populations and public service enhancement.

Ready to write a winning application for The Serco Foundation?

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

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation operates with full independence from Serco Group plc, though it receives unpaid administrative and governance support from the parent company. The Chairman and Trustees take strategic decisions and approve direction at formal Board meetings, held quarterly (approximately four meetings per year). Between Board meetings, the Secretary handles tactical day-to-day decisions, circulating information to Trustees when out-of-committee decisions are required. All Trustees undergo induction into the Foundation's aims and objectives before appointment. For complex decisions, temporary sub-groups are established, led by a Trustee with ability to draw on expertise from external advisers and the wider Serco Group. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Specific trustee names are not publicly listed on the Foundation's website.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Serco Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis via email to info@sercofoundation.org.

Application Requirements:

• The support required
• Total amount requested
• Detailed breakdown of how funds will be allocated
• Expected impact and alignment with Serco's ambitions to deliver meaningful impact

1. Critical Partnership Requirement: Applications must be submitted in partnership with a Serco employee OR detail how Serco colleagues can get involved through volunteering, sharing experience and knowledge, or other support. This is a distinctive and essential requirement of the Foundation.

1. All proposals should be sent to: info@sercofoundation.org

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. The Board meets quarterly (four times per year), with day-to-day decisions delegated to the Secretary between meetings, suggesting some applications may be processed more quickly than others depending on complexity.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Foundation distributed £545,000 to almost 300 organisations during the COVID-19 Community Support Fund (March-July 2020), indicating a willingness to support a large number of applicants when resources and circumstances align.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publicly document reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented approach and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Serco Employee Connection: The most critical success factor is demonstrating partnership with a Serco employee or showing how Serco colleagues can meaningfully engage through volunteering, knowledge-sharing, or other support. This requirement distinguishes the Foundation from other funders and reflects their dual mission of grant-making and employee engagement.

1. Alignment with Public Service Sectors: Applications relating to Justice and Immigration, Transport, Health, Citizen Services, or Defence are particularly welcomed, reflecting Serco Group's operational sectors.

1. Support for Vulnerable Populations: Successful applicants clearly demonstrate how they serve vulnerable citizens beyond the reach of conventional public services. Past funded projects include support for Aboriginal communities (Gurehlgam Corp Ltd), elderly hospital patients (NHS Lanarkshire hairdressing salon), military veterans (The Soldiers' Arts Academy), and at-risk youth (Police Citizens Youth Club).

1. Innovation in Public Service: The Foundation values new and innovative approaches to public service delivery, not just traditional service provision.

1. Clear Impact Metrics: Applications should demonstrate expected impact and how the funding aligns with delivering meaningful outcomes for beneficiaries.

1. Dual Value Proposition: Successful applications show value both in terms of the charitable impact achieved and opportunities for Serco employee involvement, creating mutual benefit.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Employee partnership is non-negotiable: Establish a connection with a Serco employee before applying, or clearly articulate volunteer/knowledge-sharing opportunities for Serco staff
• Sector alignment matters: Applications relating to Justice & Immigration, Transport, Health, Citizen Services, or Defence have explicitly stated priority
• International reach: The Foundation operates globally across Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America, and the Middle East—do not assume UK-only focus
• Think beyond cash: The Foundation offers in-kind support through Serco employee expertise; consider what professional skills would benefit your organisation
• Flexible application format: PowerPoint presentations are suggested, indicating the Foundation values clear, visual communication over lengthy written proposals
• Vulnerable populations focus: Ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you serve vulnerable citizens beyond conventional public service reach
• Rolling applications: No fixed deadlines allow for flexible timing, but quarterly board meetings suggest potential approval cycles

References

• Serco Foundation - Home -
• Serco Foundation - Apply for Support -
• Serco Foundation - About -
• Serco Foundation - Impact -
• The Charity Commission - The Serco Foundation (1150338) -
• Serco Foundation - Coronavirus Community Support Fund Scheme Update -
• CVS Falkirk - Serco Foundation: Grants and In-Kind Support -