The Sir Edward Lewis Foundation
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £262,981 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: Not publicly available
- Geographic Focus: UK (primarily London and Surrey)
- Established: 1972
Contact Details
Registered Address: Rawlinson & Hunter, 6 New Street Square, London, EC4A 3AQ
Email: lewis.foundation@rawlinson-hunter.com
Phone: 020 7842 2000
Charity Number: 264475
Overview
The Sir Edward Lewis Foundation was established in 1972 through a trust deed by Sir Edward Roberts Lewis (1900-1980), the British industrialist who built Decca Records into one of the world's major record labels. Lewis was knighted in 1961 for services to industry as Chairman of The Decca Navigator Co. Ltd. and Decca Radar Ltd., and received the Gold Albert Medal of the Royal Society of Arts in 1967 for services to the development of electronics. Known for his generous but private philanthropy during his lifetime, Lewis donated large sums to Rugby School (his alma mater) and the Middlesex Hospital without publicity.
The foundation continues his philanthropic legacy with total income of £251,862 and total expenditure of £262,981 for the financial year ending 5 April 2024. The foundation operates as a grant-making trust administered by Rawlinson & Hunter, an international accountancy firm specializing in charity administration. The foundation has four trustees who receive no remuneration for their service.
Funding Priorities
Charitable Purpose
The foundation's formal charitable purpose is broadly defined: “To or towards or for the benefit or in furtherance of such charitable purposes charitable institutions or charitable foundations in such countries and in such manner and in such proportions as the trustees may from time to time in their discretion determine.”
Priority Areas
The foundation supports a wide range of charitable purposes including:
- General charitable purposes
- Education and training
- Advancement of health or saving of lives
- Disability support
- Prevention or relief of poverty
- Accommodation and housing
- Amateur sport
- Arts and culture
- Animal welfare
Geographic Focus
The foundation operates primarily in London and Surrey, though its charitable purposes allow for support in other countries at the trustees' discretion.
Beneficiary Groups
The foundation supports various beneficiary groups including:
- Children and young people
- Elderly people
- People with disabilities
- People of particular ethnic or racial origins
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Governance and Leadership
The foundation is governed by four trustees who serve without remuneration. Christopher John Alfred Noel Lewis was appointed as a trustee in 2020, suggesting potential family continuity in the foundation's governance.
The foundation's administrative functions are handled by Rawlinson & Hunter, which provides comprehensive charity administration services including operating bank accounts, dealing with payment requests, maintaining accounting records, and coordinating grant commitments.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This foundation does not have a public application process. Grant awards are made at the trustees' discretion without a formal open application system. The foundation's charitable objectives explicitly grant trustees full discretion to determine which charitable purposes, institutions, or foundations receive support, as well as the manner and proportions of funding.
Organizations seeking funding from this foundation would need to establish contact through the administrative office at Rawlinson & Hunter, though there is no guarantee that unsolicited approaches will be considered.
Decision Timeline
Not publicly available due to the discretionary nature of the foundation's grant-making.
Success Rates
Not publicly available, as the foundation does not operate a formal application process.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable, as the foundation does not have a public application process.
Application Success Factors
Given the foundation's discretionary grant-making approach and its roots in Sir Edward Lewis's personal philanthropy, the following factors may be relevant:
Connection to Founder's Interests: Sir Edward Lewis was known for supporting education (particularly Rugby School) and healthcare (Middlesex Hospital). Organizations working in these areas may align with the foundation's historical priorities.
Established Charitable Organizations: The foundation makes grants to “charitable institutions” and “charitable foundations,” suggesting a preference for established organizations with proven track records.
Discretion and Privacy: Sir Edward Lewis was known for his generous giving “without publicity.” The foundation's lack of public reporting on specific grants suggests it may continue this approach to philanthropy.
Geographic Alignment: With a stated focus on London and Surrey, organizations operating in these regions may be more likely to be considered.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No public application process: This foundation operates through trustee discretion without accepting open applications
- Broad charitable scope: The foundation can support a wide range of causes, from education to health to poverty relief
- Historical connections matter: The foundation's origins in Sir Edward Lewis's personal philanthropy suggest that organizations connected to his interests (education, health, music/arts) may be prioritized
- Professional administration: Rawlinson & Hunter's involvement suggests a well-organized, professionally-managed foundation
- Private approach: Limited public information about specific grants suggests the foundation values discretion
- Direct contact required: Organizations interested in funding would need to approach the foundation directly via lewis.foundation@rawlinson-hunter.com
- Geographic focus: Priority appears to be on London and Surrey-based organizations
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- Dullatur Foundation
- The Locker Foundation
- A G Manly Charitable Trust
- The Eight Foundation
- PS Foundation
- The Lord Faringdon Charitable Trust
- THE MRS SMITH AND MOUNT TRUST
- CECIL AND HILDA LEWIS CHARITABLE TRUST
- Community Foundation for Surrey
- Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust
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References
- UK Charity Commission Register of Charities, The Sir Edward Lewis Foundation (264475), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=264475&subid=0
- Rawlinson & Hunter Charities Services, https://www.rawlinson-hunter.com/charities
- Graces Guide, “Edward Roberts Lewis,” https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Edward_Roberts_Lewis
- Various online charity databases including Charity Choice, Giving is Great, and NGO Explorer
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Sir Edward Lewis Foundation fund?
Charitable Purpose The foundation's formal charitable purpose is broadly defined: "To or towards or for the benefit or in furtherance of such charitable purposes charitable institutions or charitable foundations in such countries and in such manner and in such proportions as the trustees may from time to time in their discretion determine. " Priority Areas The foundation supports a wide range of charitable purposes including: General charitable purposes Education and training Advancement of health or saving of lives Disability support Prevention or relief of poverty Accommodation and housing Amateur sport Arts and culture Animal welfare Geographic Focus The foundation operates primarily in London and Surrey, though its charitable purposes allow for support in other countries at the trustees' discretion.
How much funding does The Sir Edward Lewis Foundation provide?
The Sir Edward Lewis Foundation provides grants ranging from Not publicly available, with total annual giving of approximately £262,981 (2024).
How do I contact The Sir Edward Lewis Foundation?
Registered Address: Rawlinson & Hunter, 6 New Street Square, London, EC4A 3AQ Email: lewis. foundation@rawlinson-hunter.
Is The Sir Edward Lewis Foundation a registered charity?
Yes, The Sir Edward Lewis Foundation is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 264475). They primarily serve organisations in Throughout London, Surrey.
How do I apply to The Sir Edward Lewis Foundation?
How to Apply This foundation does not have a public application process. Grant awards are made at the trustees' discretion without a formal open application system. The foundation's charitable objectives explicitly grant trustees full discretion to determine which charitable purposes, institutions, or foundations receive support, as well as the manner and proportions of funding.
Where is The Sir Edward Lewis Foundation based?
They fund organisations in Throughout London, Surrey.