The Wyn And Ken Lo Memorial Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £104,638 (2024 expenditure); historically ranging from £117,518 to £342,284
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Trustees meet approximately annually
• Grant Range: £5,000 (documented example); typical grants aligned with annual income
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

• Address: Rawlinson & Hunter, 6 New Street Square, London, EC4A 3AQ
• Phone: 020 7842 2000
• Email: wklmf@rawlinson-hunter.com
• Website: None

Overview

The Wyn and Ken Lo Memorial Foundation is a UK-registered charity (No. 1000897) established on 13 November 1990. The Foundation commemorates Kenneth Lo (1913-1995), the celebrated Chinese-British diplomat, food writer, restaurateur, and founder of the renowned Memories of China restaurant and Ken Lo's Kitchen cooking school. Ken Lo was described by The Independent as “the foremost expert in Britain on Chinese food” who “played a huge part in popularising and improving its consumption.”

The Foundation operates as a grant-making body, distributing funds to charitable organisations at the trustees' discretion. With modest annual income (£66,238 in 2024) but significant grant-making capacity from accumulated reserves, the Foundation supports a diverse range of charitable causes. Over the past five years, annual expenditure has ranged from £104,638 to £342,284, demonstrating flexible grant-making in line with investment performance. The Foundation is administered through Rawlinson & Hunter, a professional services firm.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single, discretionary grant programme:

• General Charitable Grants: Variable amounts (documented example: £5,000) distributed at trustee discretion
• Application Method: Written applications considered at annual trustee meetings

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports “general charitable purposes” with no specific sector restrictions. Known funded areas include:

• International development and water/sanitation projects
• Environmental and human rights advocacy
• Humanitarian causes

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusion criteria are publicly documented. However, the Foundation:

• Only makes grants to registered charitable organisations (not individuals)
• Focuses on other charities or voluntary bodies

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by three trustees, none of whom receive remuneration:

• Mr Frank Lo - Trustee (family member of Ken Lo)
• Mr Bernard Norman Lo - Trustee (family member of Ken Lo)
• Ann Mary Rodrigues - Trustee

The family connection to the late Ken Lo suggests the Foundation maintains the philanthropic vision he established during his lifetime. The Foundation does not employ any paid staff, relying entirely on the voluntary trustees for governance and grant-making decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation accepts applications from charitable organisations. To apply:

1. Written Application: Submit a written application to the Foundation's registered address at Rawlinson & Hunter
2. Contact: Applications can be sent via email to wklmf@rawlinson-hunter.com or by post
3. Required Information: Include details about your organisation, charitable registration, the project requiring funding, and the amount requested

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet approximately annually to consider grant applications
• Expect a decision within 12 months of submission
• The Foundation does not publicise specific meeting dates

Success Rates

No public data is available on application volumes or success rates.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Previous unsuccessful applicants may wish to contact the Foundation directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's grant-making patterns:

• Registered Charity Status: Only registered charities and voluntary bodies are eligible
• Clear Charitable Purpose: Projects should align with general charitable purposes
• Demonstrated Impact: The Foundation has supported projects with clear, measurable outcomes (e.g., water provision benefiting 653 people in Guinea-Bissau)
• International or UK Focus: The Foundation has supported both UK-based and international charitable work
• Reasonable Grant Size: Documented grants have been modest (e.g., £5,000); requests should be proportionate to the Foundation's capacity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small but Active Funder: Despite modest annual income, the Foundation makes substantial grants from reserves
• Family Foundation: Governed by Ken Lo's family members, maintaining his philanthropic legacy
• No Website: All communication must go through Rawlinson & Hunter as administrators
• Annual Decision Cycle: Plan applications well in advance of when funding is needed
• Broad Remit: “General charitable purposes” means most charitable causes are potentially eligible
• Professional Administration: Applications are handled by a professional services firm, suggesting formal processes are valued
• Documented Track Record: Known beneficiaries include WellFound and Global Witness, indicating support for both small projects and established organisations

References

• Charity Commission Register - Charity Overview -
• Charity Commission Register - Full Print View -
• Charity Commission Register - Trustees -
• Charity Choice - The Wyn and Ken Lo Memorial Foundation -
• WellFound News - Guinea-Bissau Water Project -
• Global Witness Annual Report 2019 - Lists Wyn & Ken Lo Memorial Foundation as donor
• Wikipedia - Kenneth Lo (writer)) - Background on Ken Lo