The Syder Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £600,000
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: Variable (applications assessed monthly)
• Grant Range: Up to £2,000 (small grants) - £25,000 (typical large grant)
• Geographic Focus: Large grants: Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire; Small grants: Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire

Contact Details

• Website: www.syderfoundation.org
• Email: syderfoundation@gmail.com
• Phone: Not published
• Registered Charity Number: 1119373

Note: The Trustees prefer to proactively identify projects of interest. However, charities can get in touch for an initial discussion to alert the Foundation to a project which fits the criteria.

Overview

The Syder Foundation is a private family grant-making trust registered in 2007, based in Berkshire and focused on supporting local and regional charities. The foundation reported total income of £337,474 and total expenditure of £587,785 for the year ending September 2024. With annual grant distribution of approximately £600,000, the foundation is dedicated to supporting capital projects for registered charities across a range of charitable causes. The foundation has a clear strategic focus on capital funding - buildings, equipment, and infrastructure - with operational costs and programmes explicitly excluded from consideration. The foundation is governed by two trustees, Charlotte Syder and Timothy Dominic James Syder, who take a proactive approach to identifying suitable projects rather than relying solely on unsolicited applications. Applications are assessed monthly on a rolling basis.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Large Grants Programme: £25,000 (typical award)

• The Foundation awards approximately 20 large grants per year
• Total large grants awarded annually: approximately £500,000
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines
• Applications assessed monthly
• Available to charities in Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and Buckinghamshire

Small Grants Programme: Up to £2,000

• Annual budget of approximately £100,000 for small awards
• Available only to charities in Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire (more limited geographic scope than large grants)
• Rolling application process

Priority Areas

The Syder Foundation donates exclusively to capital projects or items of equipment. This includes:

• Buildings: Construction, renovation, and refurbishment projects
• Equipment: Items of equipment necessary for charitable work
• Capital infrastructure: Physical assets that support long-term charitable objectives

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

• Programmes and operational costs (including salaries) - not funded for either large or small grants
• Animal welfare charities
• Military charities
• Single faith charities
• Organisations that are not registered charities (excludes Community Benefit Groups, Community Interest Companies, Community Amateur Sports Clubs, etc.)
• National charities (unlikely to receive funding)
• Organisations outside the geographic focus area

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Syder Foundation is governed by two trustees:

• Charlotte Syder - Trustee
• Timothy Dominic James Syder - Trustee

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trustees take a hands-on approach to grant-making, preferring to proactively identify projects that align with the foundation's mission rather than waiting for formal applications.

How to Apply to The Syder Foundation

How to Apply

The Syder Foundation operates an informal application process:

• Primary Method: Email application to syderfoundation@gmail.com
• Application Length: No longer than two A4 pages
• Required Documents: Application plus a copy of the charity's most recent annual accounts
• Initial Contact: The Trustees prefer to proactively identify projects, but welcome initial discussions from charities wishing to alert the Foundation to relevant projects
• No Formal Application Required: There is no need to send a formal 'application' in the traditional sense
• Rolling Basis: No fixed deadlines - applications assessed monthly throughout the year

Decision Timeline

• Application Review: Applications assessed monthly
• Timeline: Variable, depending on when application is received in the monthly cycle
• Notification Method: Not specified publicly

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. With approximately 20 large grants awarded annually from a regional pool of applicants across six counties, competition is moderate.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation has clear waiting periods for reapplications:

• Unsuccessful Applicants: Must wait 24 months before re-applying
• Successful Recipients: Should wait 12 months before re-applying for additional funding

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and approach, successful applications likely demonstrate:

Capital Project Focus

The foundation exclusively funds capital projects - buildings, equipment, renovations, and infrastructure. Programmes and operational costs (including salaries) are not considered for funding under any circumstances.

Regional Focus

Projects must be delivered by charities registered in the foundation's target counties. For large grants, eligible counties are Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and Buckinghamshire. For small grants, only Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire are eligible. National charities and those outside these geographic areas are unlikely to succeed.

Registered Charity Status

The foundation only supports registered charities. Community Benefit Groups, Community Interest Companies, and Community Amateur Sports Clubs are not eligible.

Concise Communication

With a two-page maximum for applications and an informal process, successful applicants get to the point quickly, focusing on the capital need, cost, and charitable benefit rather than lengthy narratives.

Examples of Supported Organisations

The foundation has supported organisations including The Family Haven, demonstrating the breadth of charitable causes considered (provided they align with capital funding requirements).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Capital Only: This foundation funds exclusively capital projects - buildings, equipment, and physical infrastructure. Programmes, operational costs, and salaries are not funded under any circumstances.

• Keep It Brief: Two-page maximum application demonstrates the trustees value concise, clear communication. Focus on the capital need and charitable benefit.

• Geographic Eligibility Matters: Large grants available to charities in Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, or Buckinghamshire. Small grants only available to charities in Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, or Oxfordshire. National organisations and those outside these areas need not apply.

• Registered Charity Required: Only registered charities are eligible. CICs, Community Benefit Groups, and CASCs cannot apply.

• Consider Initial Contact: Since trustees prefer to proactively identify projects, an initial informal conversation to gauge interest before submitting a full application may be strategic.

• Patience with Reapplication: The 24-month waiting period for unsuccessful applicants is longer than many funders. Make your first application count, as you won't get another chance for two years.

• Monthly Assessment: Applications are assessed monthly, providing regular decision points throughout the year.

• Avoid Common Exclusions: Don't waste time applying if your project involves programmes/operational costs, animal welfare, military causes, single faith organisations, or if you're not a registered charity in the eligible geographic area.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation
• The Eight Foundation
• Community Foundation For Surrey
• The Wisley Foundation
• E F And M G Hall Charitable Trust
• The Prince Philip Trust Fund
• Payne Gallwey 1989 Charitable Trust
• The Earley Charity
• The Greaves & Withey Foundation
• The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust

References

• The Syder Foundation official website: www.syderfoundation.org
• UK Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 1119373: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4030990
• Connecting Communities in Berkshire, “Funding Opportunities in April”: https://ccberks.org.uk/2024/03/26/funding-opportunities-in-april/
• Voluntary Action Reigate & Banstead, “The Syder Foundation”: https://varb.org.uk/the-syder-foundation/
• Giving is Great, “The Syder Foundation Charity Factsheet”: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1119373
• UK Charity Commission Trustees Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4030990/trustees
• The Family Haven, “Our Supporters”: https://www.thefamilyhaven.com/whats-on-offer/our-supporters/