Thomas's Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £891,591 (charitable expenditure, 2024)
• Total Income: £528,871 (2024)
• Grant Range: Varies by programme (individual music scholarships ~£3,500 over 4 years)
• Geographic Focus: London (Battersea, Clapham, Fulham, Kensington) and Nepal
• Application Method: Application form download required

Contact Details

• Website: www.thomassfoundation.org.uk
• Email: info@thomassfoundation.org.uk
• Phone: +44 (0) 20 3327 4177
• Executive Director: Liz Woodcock (lwoodcock@thomassfoundation.org.uk)
• Address: Associated with Thomas's London Day Schools

Overview

Thomas's Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation established in December 2018 as the philanthropic arm of Thomas's London Day Schools. The foundation is driven by the belief that every child deserves an enriching education. With annual charitable expenditure of £891,591 (2024), the foundation gives grants to help fund more than 60 educational programmes annually, in addition to designing and developing its own projects. The foundation focuses on providing educational opportunities for primary-aged children in the immediate neighbourhoods of Thomas's London Day Schools (Battersea, Clapham, Fulham, and Kensington) and internationally through programmes in rural Nepal. More than 45% of the school children in the foundation's programmes receive free school meals, indicating a strong focus on economically disadvantaged communities. The foundation is supported by more than 100 dedicated volunteers from the Thomas's community who work to identify, develop, and manage community partnership projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates three core programmes:

1. Community Partnerships

• Provides grants to fund educational programmes for local primary-aged school children
• Focuses on under-funded subjects including Art, Drama, Music, and Sport
• Also supports outdoor learning and academic programmes (STEM, literacy, language)
• More than 60 educational programmes funded annually
• Geographic focus: Battersea, Clapham, Fulham, and Kensington neighbourhoods

2. Bursaries

• Provides transformational bursaries from Year 7 at Thomas's Schools
• Amounts dependent on family's income, assets, and circumstances
• For students attending Thomas's Schools (not external grant-making)

3. CAIRN (Child Aid in Rural Nepal)

• Founded in 2007 to support education in rural Nepal
• Works with local, highly experienced NGO partners
• Focuses on quality education in hill villages

Priority Areas

• Art programmes for primary school children
• Drama education and performance opportunities
• Music education, including the Pathway Music Scholarship programme
• Sport programmes
• Outdoor learning experiences
• Academic support in STEM, literacy, and language
• Programmes that build self-esteem and encourage love of learning
• Initiatives serving economically disadvantaged communities

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus suggests:

• Programmes outside their geographic areas (London neighbourhoods listed, and Nepal)
• Programmes not focused on primary-aged children
• Programmes outside their subject areas (art, drama, music, sport, outdoor learning, STEM, literacy, language)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (7 total)

1. Benjamin Victor Robert Thomas - Chair
2. Amanda Mackenzie
3. Vishal Oberoi
4. Charlotte Castle
5. Rosalind Gravatt
6. Bunmi Richards
7. Chris Benson

Key Staff

• Liz Woodcock - Executive Director

Governance Notes

• Registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
• 6 employees
• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits
• Recognized by HMRC for gift aid
• Maintains governance policies including safeguarding and risk management

How to Apply to Thomas's Foundation

How to Apply

1. Download the Application Form: Visit www.thomassfoundation.org.uk/forms to access the “Community Partnerships - Apply for Funding” form
2. Review Requirements: The form contains notes on the information Thomas's Foundation requires
3. Submit Application: Complete and submit the application form
4. Additional Forms: Also available are Grant Terms & Conditions and Project Evaluation Form

Pre-Application Contact: The foundation welcomes discussions about new initiatives or grant-giving opportunities. Contact Liz Woodcock, Executive Director, to discuss potential projects before applying.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly stated. Contact the foundation directly for information about current application cycles and decision timeframes.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Applicants should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment is Critical

The foundation has a very specific geographic focus: programmes must serve primary-aged school children in the immediate neighbourhoods of Thomas's London Day Schools in Battersea, Clapham, Fulham, and Kensington. Programmes outside these areas (except Nepal) are unlikely to be funded.

Serves Economically Disadvantaged Children

With more than 45% of children in their programmes receiving free school meals, the foundation clearly prioritizes programmes serving economically disadvantaged communities. Applications should demonstrate how the programme will reach children in need.

Focus on Under-Funded Subjects

The foundation specifically mentions “under-funded subjects such as Art, Drama, Music and Sport.” Applications in these areas align well with the foundation's mission, particularly if they demonstrate how they fill gaps in current provision.

Example Funded Projects

Based on their documented work, successful projects include:

• Pathway Music Scholarship: Funds talented, highly motivated children who lack financial means for regular music tuition. Covers small group instrumental and theory lessons, instruments, and ensemble opportunities. Runs for up to four years with value of approximately £3,500.

• Readers' Cup: A “University Challenge”-style book quiz for primary schools with heats in each neighbourhood (Battersea, Clapham, Fulham, Kensington) culminating in a Grand Final. Aims to encourage and improve literacy while promoting love of reading.

Building Self-Esteem and Love of Learning

The foundation emphasizes programmes that “build self-esteem and encourage a love of learning.” Applications should articulate how the programme will achieve these outcomes, not just deliver content.

Community Partnership Model

The foundation works closely with more than 100 volunteers to identify, develop, and manage projects. They value partnerships and collaborative approaches rather than simply providing funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity is non-negotiable: Only programmes in Battersea, Clapham, Fulham, and Kensington (or Nepal) will be considered
• Primary-aged children only: The foundation focuses exclusively on primary school-aged pupils
• Under-funded subjects are prioritized: Art, Drama, Music, and Sport programmes have strong alignment with foundation priorities
• Reach disadvantaged children: Demonstrate how your programme will serve economically disadvantaged communities
• Contact before applying: The foundation welcomes discussions about potential projects - use this opportunity to test fit before submitting a full application
• Think beyond delivery: Successful programmes build self-esteem and encourage love of learning, not just provide activities
• Consider the partnership model: The foundation values collaborative approaches with volunteer involvement

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Byrne Family Foundation
• Franks Family Foundation
• M St J Way Charitable Trust
• Axis Foundation
• The Neon Foundation
• The Carmela & Ronnie Pignatelli Foundation
• Ubs Optimus Foundation Uk
• Laureus Sport For Good Foundation
• The Gecko Foundation
• The Story Of Christmas

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: Thomas's Foundation (1181145), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5124351
• Thomas's Foundation website, www.thomassfoundation.org.uk
• Thomas's Foundation - What We Do, https://www.thomassfoundation.org.uk/what-we-do
• Thomas's Foundation - Community Partnerships, https://www.thomassfoundation.org.uk/community-partnerships
• Thomas's Foundation - Forms, https://www.thomassfoundation.org.uk/forms
• Find That Charity: GB-CHC-1181145 Thomas's Foundation, https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1181145
• Charity Commission financial data for year ending 31 August 2024