The Syder Foundation

Charity Number: 1119373

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M
Geographic Focus: Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Wiltshire, Bracknell Forest, Reading ... [3 more]

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £400,000-£500,000
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Variable (rolling basis)
  • Grant Range: Small grants available - £50,000 (large grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Berkshire and surrounding counties (Hampshire, Wiltshire, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire)

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 2006, based in Berkshire and focused on supporting local and regional charities. The foundation reported total income of £345,684 and total expenditure of £514,623 for the year ending September 2023. With annual grant distribution between £400,000-£500,000, the foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged communities through education, skills development, and support for grassroots initiatives. The foundation has a clear strategic focus on youth development, education, and sustainable community projects, with a strong preference for capital projects over operational funding. 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.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Large Grants Programme: £50,000 (typical award)

  • The Foundation aims to award approximately eight large grants per year
  • Total large grants awarded annually: £300,000-£400,000
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines
  • Strong preference for capital projects

Small Grants Programme: Variable amounts

  • Annual budget of approximately £100,000 for small awards
  • Supports regional charities in Berkshire and specific surrounding counties
  • Rolling application process

Priority Areas

The Syder Foundation focuses on:

  • Youth Development: Projects that empower young people and create lasting impact
  • Education and Skills Development: Initiatives that provide educational opportunities and build practical skills
  • Grassroots Community Initiatives: Locally-rooted projects serving disadvantaged communities
  • Capital Projects: Buildings, equipment, and infrastructure developments (strongly preferred)
  • Sustainable Community Projects: Long-term initiatives with measurable community impact

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Animal welfare projects
  • Research promotion
  • Education of individuals (as opposed to educational programmes)
  • General running costs or core costs (including salaries) - unlikely to be funded
  • Programmes and other non-capital projects (only considered in exceptional cases)
  • National charities (unlikely to receive funding)
  • Organizations 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.

Application Process and Timeline

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
  • 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 regularly throughout the year

Decision Timeline

  • Application Review: Rolling basis - no specific decision dates
  • Timeline: Variable, as trustees review applications regularly
  • Notification Method: Not specified publicly

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, with approximately eight large grants awarded annually from a regional pool of applicants, competition is likely to be moderate to high for substantial awards.

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 strongly prefers capital projects - buildings, equipment, renovations, and infrastructure. If applying for a programme or operational project, it must be truly exceptional and the application should clearly articulate why it warrants an exception to the standard capital-only approach.

Regional Impact

Projects should demonstrate clear benefit to communities in Berkshire and immediately surrounding counties. National charities and those outside the geographic focus area are unlikely to succeed.

Youth and Education Emphasis

Applications that focus on youth development, education, and skills-building align closely with the foundation's mission. Projects serving disadvantaged communities through educational opportunities appear particularly well-aligned.

Sustainability and Lasting Impact

The foundation values “grassroots initiatives” that create “lasting impact” - applications should demonstrate long-term sustainability and measurable community outcomes beyond the grant period.

Concise Communication

With a two-page maximum for applications and an informal process, successful applicants likely get to the point quickly, focusing on impact, need, and alignment with foundation priorities rather than lengthy narratives.

Examples of Supported Organizations

The foundation has supported organizations including The Family Haven, suggesting an interest in family support services and community-based interventions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Capital is King: This foundation has an explicit and strong preference for capital projects. Unless your programme is genuinely exceptional, focus on capital needs (buildings, equipment, facilities).
  • Keep It Brief: Two-page maximum application demonstrates the trustees value concise, clear communication. Focus on impact and alignment, not lengthy prose.
  • Regional Focus Matters: Being based in Berkshire or immediately surrounding counties (Hampshire, Wiltshire, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire) is essential. National organizations need not 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.
  • Youth and Education Alignment: If your capital project serves youth development, education, or skills-building for disadvantaged communities, emphasize this connection explicitly.
  • Avoid Common Exclusions: Don't waste time applying if your project involves animal welfare, research, individual education, core costs/salaries, or falls outside the geographic area.

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