Veronica and Lars Bane Foundation CIO

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies by charity size and project ambition
• Geographic Focus: International (Nepal, South Africa, Kenya) and regional (UK and Europe)

Contact Details

Website: www.banefoundation.org

Registered Charity Number: 1183391

Overview

The Veronica and Lars Bane Foundation CIO was established in 2018 by Veronica and Lars Bane. The foundation operates with a philanthropic investment approach aimed at improving lives. Their commitment to social causes and equality drives their support for organisations working to change the world for the better. The foundation supports both leading institutions and grassroots organisations working at a local level, with grants varying according to the size of the charity and the ambition of the project being undertaken. They emphasise working through well-regarded charities that have existing access and expertise in their target areas, believing this to be the most cost-effective way to contribute toward a better future.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate fixed grant programs or funding tiers. Instead, grants are tailored to each recipient organisation based on:

• The size and capacity of the charity
• The ambition and scope of the proposed project
• The organisation's expertise and track record

Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Priority Areas

1. Youth and Education

• Supporting disadvantaged school children in developing countries
• Contributing to major educational institutions including secondary schools and universities
• Organisations that aim to democratise education
• School-building and teacher training programs
• Childcare facilities in rural communities
• Organisations addressing educational disadvantages

2. Livelihoods and Human Rights

• Campaigns promoting equal rights for all
• International development initiatives
• Job creation programs, particularly those empowering women
• Organisations investigating and reporting on human rights abuses globally
• Initiatives to end child marriage

3. Health and Wellbeing

• Charities combating diseases
• Childbirth and women's health initiatives
• Medical organisations working in conflict zones
• Reconstructive surgery programs for children
• Healthcare access in rural and underserved areas

4. Arts and Culture

• Cultural organisations that delight, inspire, and educate audiences
• Theatre supporting new writing and emerging writers
• National art galleries and local theatre
• Artist-led initiatives
• Digital projects expanding access to the arts
• Art acquisitions

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are publicly documented, though the foundation's stated focus areas provide implicit boundaries for their grant-making activity.

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation describes its approach with the principle that they “view grantmaking as a philanthropic investment in improving lives” and aim to provide “transformative opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach” for recipient organisations.

How to Apply to Veronica And Lars Bane Foundation Cio

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states on their website: “We are not currently looking for unsolicited grant applications.”

Grants are awarded through the trustees' own research and discretion, identifying organisations that align with their strategic priorities. The foundation works with innovative and well-regarded organisations across their four focus areas, supporting both international programs and local/regional charities.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation identifies potential grantees through their own networks and research into organisations working in their priority areas. Their current portfolio includes partnerships with:

Education: London Academy of Excellence, Abaarso School of Science and Technology (Somaliland), Project Playground (Sweden), School-Home Support, BiteBack 2030

Health: Virtual Doctors (Zambia/Malawi), Smile Foundation (South Africa), Fistula Foundation

Human Rights/Livelihoods: Hand in Hand International, Human Rights Watch, Vow for Girls

Arts & Culture: Hampstead Theatre, Roundhouse (London)

Organisations should note that the foundation emphasises working with charities that demonstrate individual expertise in their field and have established access to the communities or sectors they serve.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis without a formal application process, decision timelines are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organisations that appear in their portfolio share these characteristics:

Strong Track Record and Expertise: The foundation states they support “innovative and well-regarded organisations” and emphasise working through charities with “individual expertise” in their fields. Demonstrated impact and professional operations appear essential.

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: All supported organisations clearly fall within one of the foundation's four focus areas (youth and education, livelihoods and human rights, health and wellbeing, or arts and culture).

Transformative Potential: The foundation emphasises that their grants should be “transformative for the recipient, giving opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.” They seek projects with significant ambition and impact potential.

Local Expertise and Access: The foundation believes "supporting local and relying on charities' individual expertise is the most cost-effective way through which the Foundation can contribute towards a better future." Organisations with established community connections and on-the-ground presence in target areas are favoured.

Range of Scale: The portfolio includes both major institutions (like national art galleries and secondary schools) and grassroots community projects, indicating the foundation is open to organisations of various sizes provided they demonstrate effectiveness.

Geographic Focus: Current supported programs operate in Nepal, South Africa, Kenya, UK, Europe, Zambia, Malawi, and Somaliland, suggesting these regions align with the trustees' interests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited applications accepted - This foundation operates entirely through trustee discretion and their own identification of potential grantees
• Relationship-building is key - With no public application process, connections within the foundation's network or visibility within their priority sectors is essential
• Demonstrate transformative potential - The foundation seeks projects that will create opportunities “otherwise out of reach” for beneficiaries
• Emphasise local expertise - Organisations with established community access and field-specific expertise align with the foundation's investment philosophy
• Scale is flexible - The portfolio ranges from major institutions to community projects, so organisation size is less important than effectiveness and ambition
• Geographic alignment matters - Current focus areas include Nepal, South Africa, Kenya, and UK/Europe, plus select other developing countries
• Patient capital approach - As a foundation established in 2018, they appear to be building a strategic portfolio rather than responding to applications

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Hollick Family Foundation
• The Finborough Foundation
• Philip Barker Charity
• The Morgan Charitable Foundation
• The Dashlight Foundation
• The Windfall Foundation
• The John Booth Charitable Foundation
• The Serco Foundation
• The Tudwick Foundation
• The Kenora Charitable Foundation

References

• Veronica & Lars Bane Foundation official website: https://banefoundation.org/
• Veronica & Lars Bane Foundation - How We Work: https://banefoundation.org/how-we-work/
• Veronica & Lars Bane Foundation - Areas of Focus: https://banefoundation.org/areas-of-focus/
• Veronica & Lars Bane Foundation - Who We Support: https://banefoundation.org/who-we-support/
• UK Charity Commission Register - Charity No. 1183391: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1183391&subid=0
• Hampstead Theatre - Trusts and Foundations Supporters: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/support-us/our-supporters/trusts-and-foundations/