The Wolfson Foundation

Charity Number: 1156077

Annual Expenditure: £46.7M
Scotland, Northern Ireland

Contact Info

Website: www.wolfson.org.uk

Phone: 020 7323 5730

Email: grants@wolfson.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £44 million (expenditure on charitable activities)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (some partner programs show <10%)
  • Decision Time: 5+ months (two rounds annually)
  • Grant Range: £15,000+ (no upper limit)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (95% of funding)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.wolfson.org.uk
  • Email: grants@wolfson.org.uk
  • Phone: 020 7323 5730
  • Pre-application Support: Available - applicants encouraged to call for guidance

Overview

The Wolfson Foundation, established in 1955, is one of the UK's largest charitable foundations with an endowment approaching £1 billion. Since inception, it has awarded over £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) to more than 14,000 projects across the UK. The Foundation focuses exclusively on capital infrastructure - buildings and equipment - to promote excellence in education, science & medicine, health & disability, and arts & humanities. Led by three generations of the Wolfson family, with Dame Janet Wolfson de Botton as Chairman since 2010 and Paul Ramsbottom OBE as Chief Executive, the Foundation operates two funding rounds annually (June and December decisions) and emphasizes rigorous peer review through expert panels.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Main Capital Programme: £15,000+ (no upper limit) - buildings, refurbishments, and major equipment
  • Secondary Education Programme: Specific amounts vary - facilities for science, design & technology, performing arts
  • Theatre Improvement Scheme: Partnership with Theatres Trust - up to £510,000 total over three years
  • Application Method: Two-stage process with fixed deadlines (not rolling)

Priority Areas

  • Universities & Research Institutions: New buildings, refurbishments, and equipment for research expansion
  • Secondary Schools & Sixth Forms: Science, technology, and arts facilities
  • Museums & Heritage: Learning spaces, conservation facilities, and visitor infrastructure
  • Health & Disability: Infrastructure for organizations supporting vulnerable populations
  • Theatres & Arts Venues: Building improvements and sustainability upgrades

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects under £15,000 total cost
  • VAT or land/property purchase
  • Feasibility studies
  • Retrospective grants (projects completed before decision dates)
  • Staff costs or core funding
  • Projects outside the UK (95% UK-focused)

Governance and Leadership

Chairman: Dame Janet Wolfson de Botton (since 2010) - daughter of founder Lord Wolfson of Marylebone

Chief Executive: Paul Ramsbottom OBE (since 1998, CEO role; awarded OBE 2020 for services to charity)

Board Structure: Up to 12 trustees in 8:4 ratio (academic/professional : family members)

Key Quote from Leadership: Paul Ramsbottom emphasizes: “The Wolfson Foundation, led by three generations of the Wolfson family, has maintained a continued focus on promoting and supporting excellence in British society.”

The Foundation operates through expert peer review with academic advisory panels assessing all applications for technical merit and excellence.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  • Two-stage process: Short Stage 1 online application, followed by invitation-only detailed Stage 2
  • Online Portal: Applications submitted through Foundation website
  • Support Available: Applicants encouraged to call grants@wolfson.org.uk for guidance

Decision Timeline

  • Round 1: Stage 1 opens November, deadline January 5; Stage 2 deadline March 1; Decision June
  • Round 2: Stage 1 opens May, deadline July 1; Stage 2 deadline September 1; Decision December
  • Total Timeline: Minimum 5 months from Stage 1 submission to final decision

Success Rates

  • Overall: Not publicly disclosed
  • Application Volume: “Hundreds of applications each year”
  • Recent Awards: ~80 organizations per round, receiving £14-17 million total

Reapplication Policy

  • Stage 1 Rejection: Can reapply immediately for different project
  • Stage 2 Rejection: Must wait minimum one year before new application
  • Previous Recipients: Two-year waiting period between awards
  • Same Project: Generally not considered twice

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Foundation: “We are always very happy for you to phone if you need advice. When you call, please let us know the category under which you want to apply, so we can direct questions to the relevant Programme Manager.”

Recent Successful Projects:

  • University of St Andrews: £2 million for Green Hydrogen Accelerator facility
  • Manchester Metropolitan University: £400,000 for biomedical imaging equipment
  • Tullie Museum, Carlisle: £350,000 for learning and gallery spaces
  • Multiple schools: £1.4+ million for STEM and arts facilities

Key Success Language: The Foundation consistently emphasizes “excellence” - this term appears throughout their materials and should feature prominently in applications.

Strategic Alignment: Applications should demonstrate how projects will:

  • Expand high-quality research or education into new fields
  • Increase output from existing activities
  • Create clear academic or public benefit
  • Act as catalyst for additional funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Excellence is paramount: Every application must demonstrate how the project promotes excellence in their chosen field
  • Capital focus only: Projects must involve buildings, refurbishments, or major equipment - no revenue funding
  • Strategic catalyst approach: Show how Wolfson funding will leverage additional resources and create lasting impact
  • Expert peer review: Applications will be assessed by academic specialists, so technical merit is crucial
  • Geographic diversity welcomed: Foundation encourages applications from underrepresented UK regions
  • Partnership opportunities: Foundation values collaboration with other funders and expert bodies
  • Early engagement advised: Call for guidance before applying - Foundation staff actively support applicants

Similar Funders

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References

  • The Wolfson Foundation Official Website: www.wolfson.org.uk
  • Wolfson Foundation Funding Guidelines and FAQs: www.wolfson.org.uk/funding/
  • “Over £14m awarded to outstanding projects in our latest funding round”: www.wolfson.org.uk/over-14m-awarded-to-outstanding-projects-in-our-latest-funding-round/
  • “Chief Executive Paul Ramsbottom awarded an OBE”: www.wolfson.org.uk/chief-executive-paul-ramsbottom-awarded-an-obe/
  • Charity Commission Register Entry 1156077: register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk
  • Wolfson Foundation Strategic Framework 2020-2024: www.wolfson.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Wolfson-Strategic-Framework-2020-2024.pdf