The Taurus Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £447,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (annual allocation meeting)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £70,000
• Geographic Focus: London and Scotland
• Number of Grants: 44 organizations funded (2023)

Contact Details

Address: C/o Forsters LLP, 22 Baker Street, London, W1U 3BW

Website: http://taurus-foundation.org.uk

Email: cosmo.peach@taurus-foundation.org.uk

Phone: 020 7863 8580

Important: No replies or acknowledgements will be sent to unsolicited applications or correspondence.

Overview

The Taurus Foundation is a UK-registered charity (number 1128441) established in 2009 under a Trust deed. The Foundation operates as a proactive grant-making trust that identifies and supports charities of its own choosing. In 2023, the Foundation distributed £447,000 in grants to 44 organizations, with individual awards ranging from £5,000 to £70,000. Operating with exceptionally low overhead costs (support costs of only 6.5% of grant expenditure), the Foundation focuses primarily on biodiversity, environmental conservation, and species protection, while also supporting causes including humanitarian relief, animal welfare, and services for vulnerable populations including children, elderly people, and people with disabilities. In February 2016, the Board adopted formal Guidelines for its grant-making after reviewing activities since inception. The Foundation operates throughout London and Scotland.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates through an annual allocation process rather than fixed grant programs. Grants are typically made on an unrestricted basis, giving recipient organizations maximum flexibility in how funds are used.

• Standard Grants: £5,000 - £70,000 (unrestricted funding)
• Application Method: Invitation only; trustees proactively identify and select organizations
• Renewal: Grants may be renewed subject to certain conditions

Priority Areas

Primary Themes:

• Biodiversity and environmental conservation
• Species conservation
• Animal welfare
• Humanitarian and disaster relief

Beneficiary Groups:

• Children and young people
• Elderly people
• People with disabilities
• People of particular ethnic or racial origin
• Other charities and voluntary bodies
• General public

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation has not published specific exclusions, but explicitly states: “The Trustees do not consider unsolicited approaches.”

Ready to write a winning application for The Taurus Foundation?

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

Learn more >

Governance and Leadership

Trustees (as of 2023-2024):

• Ms C Cook
• Ms A Clelland (appointed 6 June 2024)
• Ms K Ekers
• Mr A Felsenstein
• Mr D Felsenstein
• Mr R Felsenstein (appointed 6 June 2024)
• Mr A Fenton
• Mr D Fenton
• Mrs P Fenton
• Mr J Goodman
• Ms W Pollecoff
• Mr C Vermont

Former Trustee:

• Mr A Forwood (resigned 15 June 2023)

Foundation Correspondent: Cosmo Peach

The Foundation has 12 trustees, with at least one trustee receiving payments or benefits from the charity. The trustees meet annually for their grant allocation meeting.

Trustee Philosophy: "The Trustees' policy, in general, is to select the organisations which deliver real benefit in particular areas of need and then give them unrestricted grants, based on their proven ability to achieve success."

How to Apply to The Taurus Foundation

How to Apply

The Taurus Foundation does not have a public application process. The Foundation explicitly states: “No replies or acknowledgements will be sent to unsolicited applications or correspondence” and “The Trustees do not consider unsolicited approaches.”

Instead, the Foundation operates through trustee-led identification and selection:

1. Research Phase: The Board researches and identifies suitable candidate charities chosen for their match to specific areas of interest
2. Due Diligence: Prior to any formal decision, Trustees will visit the charity or interview the management
3. Annual Decision: Grants are considered at the annual allocation Board meeting
4. Award Notification: Organizations selected for funding are contacted directly by the Foundation

The trustees actively discourage charities from wasting their time and resources on unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

• Annual Allocation Meeting: Grants are considered once per year at the Board's annual allocation meeting
• Recognition of Grants: Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made, except in cases where the offer is conditional; such grants are recognized as expenditure when conditions are fulfilled
• Renewals: Existing grantees may be considered for renewed funding subject to certain conditions

Success Rates

Not applicable - the Foundation does not accept applications. All 44 organizations funded in 2023 were proactively identified and selected by the trustees.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the invitation-only nature of the Foundation's grant-making. However, grants “may be renewed subject to certain conditions,” suggesting that existing grantees can receive continued support.

Application Success Factors

While organizations cannot apply to this Foundation, understanding what the trustees value can help organizations position themselves to be noticed in their sectors:

What the Foundation Looks For:

1. Proven Track Record: The Foundation emphasizes selecting “organisations which deliver real benefit in particular areas of need” based on their “proven ability to achieve success.” Demonstrating measurable impact is crucial.

1. Alignment with Priority Areas: Organizations working in biodiversity, environmental conservation, species protection, animal welfare, or humanitarian relief are most likely to attract trustee attention.

1. Operational Excellence: With the Foundation's own support costs at only 6.5%, they clearly value efficiency. Organizations that demonstrate strong operational management and low overhead may be more attractive.

1. Openness to Unrestricted Funding: The Foundation's preference for making unrestricted grants suggests they favor organizations with strong governance that can be trusted to allocate funds effectively.

1. Willingness to Engage: The Foundation conducts site visits and management interviews as part of their due diligence. Organizations must be prepared to host trustees and demonstrate their work directly.

1. Geographic Presence: The Foundation operates throughout London and Scotland, suggesting organizations based in or operating within these regions may be prioritized.

Foundation's Direct Guidance:

“The Trustees wish to discourage charities from wasting their own time and resources on unsolicited applications, so please do not contact us.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not an accessible funder for most organizations - the Foundation only supports charities it proactively identifies and approaches
• Focus on sector visibility instead of applications - since you cannot apply, building a strong reputation in biodiversity, conservation, or humanitarian sectors is the only path to consideration
• Demonstrate proven impact - the Foundation explicitly seeks organizations with a “proven ability to achieve success” rather than emerging or experimental projects
• Maintain operational excellence - efficient operations and measurable outcomes make organizations attractive to proactive funders
• Geographic focus matters - organizations operating in London and Scotland appear to be prioritized
• Unrestricted funding approach - the Foundation prefers to give organizations flexibility, suggesting they fund well-governed charities they trust deeply
• Multi-year potential - grants can be renewed, indicating the Foundation values long-term relationships with effective organizations

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Carole And Geoffrey Lawson Foundation
• Axis Foundation
• The Elizabeth Frankland Moore And Star Foundation
• Spiers Family Foundation Limited
• The Timothy Franey Charitable Foundation
• The Stroh Gestetner Foundation Ltd
• Woodroffe Benton Foundation
• The Anthony & Pat Charitable Foundation
• The Schroder Foundation
• Padwa Charitable Foundation

References

• UK Charity Commission Register, The Taurus Foundation (Charity Number 1128441), Register of Charities.. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4044447
• The Taurus Foundation website.. http://taurus-foundation.org.uk
• The Taurus Foundation Annual Accounts for year ended 31 December 2023, UK Charity Commission
• Giving is Great, The Taurus Foundation Charity Factsheet.. https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1128441