Two Magpies Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £329,260 (2023-24)
• Total Awarded (5 years): £2+ million
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: £15,000 - £50,000 (first-time grantees typically under £15,000)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily London (Camden, Westminster, Haringey, Islington)
• Total Organizations Funded: 100+

Contact Details

Address: 35 Stormont Road, London, N6 4NR

Phone: 020 8341 7689

Email: info@twomagpiesfund.co.uk

Website: www.twomagpiesfund.co.uk

Instagram: @twomagpiesfund

Overview

Two Magpies Fund is a charitable incorporated organisation registered on 12 May 2020 (Charity No. 1189451). Since its establishment, the fund has awarded over £2 million to more than 100 organisations working in two core areas: addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG) and supporting primary school-aged children growing up in poverty. Based in London, the fund takes a streamlined, trust-based approach to grant-making, emphasizing getting vital funds to where they are needed most, as quickly and simply as possible. The fund is distinctive in its commitment to providing unrestricted, multi-year grants to organisations they know well, enabling charities to use funding where it's most needed rather than being restricted to specific project costs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grants: £15,000 - £50,000

• First-time applicants typically receive less than £15,000
• Organisations with established relationships receive unrestricted, multi-year grants
• Application method: Currently not accepting unsolicited applications (fully committed until September 2026)

Priority Areas

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

• Domestic abuse services
• Human trafficking support
• Sexual abuse counselling and prevention
• Forced marriage assistance
• Female genital mutilation (FGM) support
• Modern slavery support services
• Programmes that prevent gender-based violence through education
• Support for people to leave abusive relationships and rebuild their lives

Children Growing Up in Poverty

• Primary school-aged children facing challenging circumstances
• Homework clubs
• Community groups
• Food banks
• Baby banks
• Beauty banks
• Hostels providing family support

Funding Types Accepted

• Project costs
• One-off costs (equipment)
• Running costs
• Core/unrestricted funding (for established grantees)

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Faith-based organisations
• Research grants

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Kirsten Westlake, Chair - Founder and Chair of LMK (Let Me Know), a charity she successfully established and grew. Previously served as SVP Risk & Audit at Burberry for four and a half years. She has also served as a trustee of the Criminal Justice Alliance, a national charity working for reform of the prison and criminal justice system.

Stian Westlake - Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) since June 2023. Formerly Chief Executive of the Royal Statistical Society and Executive Director of Policy and Research at Nesta. He served as adviser to three UK science and universities ministers between 2017 and 2019. Co-author of 'Restarting the Future: How to Fix the Intangible Economy' and 'Capitalism Without Capital: The Rise of the Intangible Economy'. His expertise lies in the policy and economics of science, technology and innovation.

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: The fund has fully committed its funding for 2025 and 2026 and is not accepting unsolicited applications until September 2026.

When Applications Resume:

1. Organizations can introduce themselves via an online contact form on the fund's website (www.twomagpiesfund.co.uk/apply)
2. If the organization's mission aligns with the fund's priorities, they will be invited to submit a more formal application
3. If not selected at the introduction stage, applicants will not receive a response

Future Priorities: In September 2026, the fund will prioritize continuation funding for previous grantees before seeking new organizations whose missions align closely with theirs.

Decision Timeline

The fund has not publicly disclosed specific decision timelines, though they emphasize getting funds to where they are needed “as quickly and simply as possible.”

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. However, over five years the fund has supported 100+ organizations with £2+ million in funding.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations not selected at the initial introduction stage will not be invited to apply. For unsuccessful full applications, reapplication policy has not been publicly disclosed, though the fund's emphasis on building long-term relationships with successful grantees suggests they value ongoing partnerships.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Trust-Based Philanthropy

The fund's commitment to unrestricted, multi-year grants indicates they value trust-based relationships with grantees. Once established, these relationships allow organizations significant flexibility in how funds are used.

Geographic Focus

Being based in or serving London, particularly Camden, Westminster, Haringey, or Islington, appears to be a strong alignment factor based on the fund's registered areas of operation.

Specific VAWG and Child Poverty Expertise

Organizations with demonstrated track records in the fund's two core areas - violence against women and girls, or supporting primary school-aged children in poverty - are most likely to succeed.

Practical Service Delivery

The fund has historically supported organizations delivering direct services: counselling, education programs, hostels, community groups, homework clubs, and material support through food and baby banks. This suggests they value tangible, on-the-ground support over research or policy work.

Prevention and Rebuilding Focus

For VAWG work, the fund specifically highlights supporting both prevention through education and helping people leave abusive relationships and rebuild their lives - indicating value placed on both upstream and recovery-focused interventions.

Simple, Accessible Applications

The fund emphasizes getting funds where needed “as quickly and simply as possible,” suggesting they don't want overly complex or bureaucratic applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Long-term relationship builder: This fund clearly values building lasting partnerships, offering unrestricted, multi-year grants to organisations they know well - aim to establish a relationship that goes beyond a single grant
• First grant is a test: Expect a smaller grant (under £15,000) for your first award; this is an opportunity to demonstrate impact and build trust for larger, unrestricted future funding
• London focus: With operations concentrated in North London boroughs, ensure your work has clear connections to Camden, Westminster, Haringey, or Islington
• Currently closed: Applications will not be accepted until September 2026, with existing grantees prioritized when funding reopens
• Direct service delivery preferred: The fund supports practical, on-the-ground services rather than research, advocacy, or faith-based work
• Two-stage process: When applications reopen, organizations must first pass an initial introduction screening before being invited to submit a full application - make your initial contact compelling and clearly aligned with their mission
• Trust-based approach: The fund's commitment to unrestricted, multi-year funding signals they want to empower organizations rather than micromanage spending - demonstrate organizational maturity and strong governance

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Lady Gould's Charity
• ST ANDREW HOLBORN AND STAFFORD'S CHARITY
• Westminster Amalgamated Charity
• THE HAMPSTEAD WELLS AND CAMPDEN TRUST
• The Hornsey Parochial Charities
• Sir Walter St. John's Educational Charity
• The Garrick Charitable Trust
• The Allen Trust
• Richmond Foundation
• Newcomen Collett Educational Foundation

References

• Two Magpies Fund official website: www.twomagpiesfund.co.uk
• Apply page: https://www.twomagpiesfund.co.uk/apply
• About Us page: https://www.twomagpiesfund.co.uk/about-us
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5158362/full-print
• Companies House: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/CE021822
• Kirsten Westlake LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenwestlake/
• Stian Westlake UKRI profile: https://www.ukri.org/people/stian-westlake/