The Van Neste Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £411,461 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Not specified
• Geographic Focus: Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Plymouth (UK); Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Romania (International)

Contact Details

• Website: vanneste.org.uk
• Email: secretary@vanneste.org.uk
• Phone: 07711 186057

Overview

The Van Neste Foundation is a UK registered charity (201951) established to encourage innovation and self-help while supporting organizations tackling social injustices. With annual expenditure of £411,461 (2024), the foundation operates as a grant-making trust that believes social and environmental issues are interconnected. The foundation focuses its grant-making activities primarily in the Southwest of England, particularly Bristol, Bath, Somerset and Plymouth, while also supporting projects in Ghana, Kenya, Mali and Romania. They make grants exclusively to other charitable bodies and voluntary organizations.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Social Change

• Support for community organizations
• Assistance to marginalized groups
• Promotion of environmental and community improvement
• Encouragement of systemic change to reduce poverty

Children and Young People

Supporting activities including:

• Sport
• Drama
• Music
• Food
• Travel

What They Fund

• UK registered Charities
• Community Interest Companies (CICs)
• Local community organizations in Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas
• International projects in Ghana, Kenya, Mali and Romania

What They Don't Fund

• National appeals
• Large NGOs

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by 6 trustees:

• Jeremy Francis Joseph Lyons (Trustee since 2001)
• Joanna Mary Bridget Dickens (Trustee since 2014)
• Lucy Appleby (Trustee since 2019)
• Anthony Michael Delaney (Trustee since 2019)
• Jessica Mary Lyons (Trustee since 2020)
• Benedict Mark Appleby

The foundation notes that one or more trustees receive payments or benefits for services to the charity.

How to Apply to The Van Neste Foundation

How to Apply

The foundation's website indicates they accept applications and references an “application page,” though specific application procedures and requirements are not publicly detailed. Interested organizations should contact the foundation directly at secretary@vanneste.org.uk for application information.

Decision Timeline

Not specified

Success Rates

Not available

Reapplication Policy

Not specified

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities:

• Focus on innovation and self-help approaches
• Demonstrate how your project tackles social injustices
• Show understanding of interconnection between social and environmental issues
• For local UK projects, clear connection to Bristol, Bath, Somerset or Plymouth areas
• For international projects, focus on Ghana, Kenya, Mali or Romania
• Avoid positioning as a large national organization
• Demonstrate effective use of limited resources

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Van Neste Foundation is an active grant-maker with significant annual giving (£411k in 2024)
• Strong geographic focus on Southwest England, particularly Bristol/Bath area
• International work limited to specific countries in Africa and Eastern Europe
• Preference for smaller, local organizations over large NGOs
• Values innovation, self-help, and systemic change approaches
• Limited public information about specific grant amounts or application procedures - direct contact recommended
• Believes in interconnection of social and environmental issues - integrated approaches may be favored

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Mpm Charitable Trust
• The Hunting Horn General Charitable Trust
• The Stone Family Foundation
• Spielman Charitable Trust
• The Merchant Venturers Charity
• Somerset Community Foundation
• Society Of The Holy Child Jesus Cio
• The Portishead Nautical Trust
• Quartet Community Foundation
• The Nisbet Trust

References

• The Van Neste Foundation official website (vanneste.org.uk) -
• UK Charity Commission Register (register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk) - charity details for 201951 -
• Financial data from Charity Commission accounts ending 31 March 2024